James & Wells announce new partner and recruits
James & Wells have announced the promotion of Jonathan Lucas to Partner.
James & Wells have announced the promotion of Jonathan Lucas to Partner.
National intellectual property and commercial specialists James & Wells have announced the promotion of Jonathan Lucas to Partner, and the appointments of Richard Clement as a Senior Associate in their Auckland-based patents team and Marc van den Heuvel as an Associate in their Commercial Law Team.
Managing Partner Carrick Robinson says the appointments reflect James & Wells’ ongoing expansion, as they commit to maintaining their position as New Zealand’s most sought after intellectual property firm.
Jonathan joined James & Wells in 2010 as an Associate specialising in technology relating to the mechanical engineering, electronics, medical devices and ICT industries.
“Jonathan’s promotion reflects the significant contribution he has made to the firm and our confidence in the firm’s future prospects”, Carrick says.
“He has contributed significantly to the ongoing development of our patent systems, particularly in light of the introduction of the Patents Act 2013. These and other initiatives, such as Jonathan’s overseeing of the National Patents Team and membership of the NZIPA Council, are testaments to the leadership qualities and personality Jonathan has displayed in his role as a Senior Associate and will continue to display as a Partner.”
“Richard and Marc have years of experience and knowledge behind them, adding to the high end specialist expertise James & Wells has to offer our local and international clients”.
Richard joins James & Wells as a patent expert in mechanical engineering, having worked for over 15 years within the intellectual property sector, specialising in the mechanical, agri-tech, mechatronic and heat engine industries.
Prior to his start in intellectual property, Richard worked in R&D with the University of Auckland’s Energy and Fuels Research Lab. Richard holds a Masters of Engineering (Mechanical) and a Bachelor of Laws. He is a Registered Patent Attorney in Australia and New Zealand, and a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Marc’s appointment supports the growth of James & Wells’ commercial law practice. His skillset complements the general commercial and property divisions within the firm’s Commercial Law Team.
His specialist area includes international property transactions, Overseas Investment Office applications, as well as corporate recovery and insolvency.
Having worked for London-based Forsters LLP, Marc’s international expertise includes advising on mixed-use high rise apartment developments, company turnarounds, management buyouts and refinancing, as well as general business management experience with medium sized businesses. He holds a Bachelor of Laws, and is also qualified to practise as a solicitor in the United Kingdom and Wales.