Rapid Growth Sees James & Wells Welcome Two New Soliticitors

James & Wells, Lawyers and Patent Attorneys, have announced the appointment of Daphne Missirlis and Aasha Foley as Solicitors in their Commercial division. The commercial division, which provides legal advice nationally, has seen remarkable growth since its inception in February 2013. This division offers the firm’s clients and networks commercial, corporate and infrastructure advice.

Aasha and Daphne join Owen Culliney (head of the commercial division) and Stephanie Melbourne (based in the firm’s Christchurch office) to support the division’s exponential growth. “We now offer a suite of services that enables our clients to get all of their critical legal needs met by one firm,” says head of the commercial division, Owen Culliney. “Better still, with a focus on our clients’ intellectual property assets, we are meeting these needs with an overarching appreciation of the importance of intellectual property in maintaining competitive advantage and profitability”, he says.  

Having worked with James & Wells’ trademarks and patent teams over the past three years, Aasha is familiar with the intricacies of intellectual property and how to ensure this valuable bundle of assets is effectively managed and monetized from a commercial perspective. Aasha holds a Bachelor of Laws, majoring in law and politics from the University of Waikato, and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Before making the move to intellectual property, Daphne worked for a general commercial and property team in Hamilton. Daphne specialises in commercial agreements including shareholders’ agreements, company structures and refinancing, sale and purchase of businesses, commercial and residential land transactions and leases. Hailing from Canada, Daphne completed a Bachelor of Arts specialising in sociology from the University of Guelph. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Waikato and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Daphne is currently a committee member of the Hamilton-based, young professionals group Momentum. 

At James & Wells they are not just about intellectual property, patents, trademarks, designs, commercialisation and litigation. They understand business and maximise the value of their clients’ innovation in New Zealand and globally, as part of their commitment to ensure Kiwi ideas flourish and get the recognition and rewards they deserve.

For more information please visit their website at http://www.jaws.co.nz .