Paul Johns
Senior Associate
Profile
Paul is an accomplished commercial litigator in New Zealand and previously in the United Kingdom. His particular experience lies in contractual issues, marketing and consumer protection law, and all forms of intellectual property. Paul has knowledge in several industry sectors including consumer goods, advertising, retail, banking, toys and games, property development, luxury goods and fashion.
Paul acts in numerous High Court proceedings and appears as a junior counsel in the Court of Appeal. As junior counsel, Paul appeared on behalf of Assa Abloy New Zealand Ltd in the Court of Appeal in Bowyer & Ors v Loktronic Industries Ltd CA260/2011. As well as acting in contentious matters, Paul enjoys advising clients on consumer law compliance issues and intellectual property strategy.
Areas of Practice
- Commercial Litigation
- Competition
- Intellectual Property
- Regulatory
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
- Advising a specialist retail chain in relation to its marketing activities and those of its competitors, including acting in High Court proceedings
- Acting for a multi-national company in High Court proceedings regarding supply and distribution agreements
- Acting for receivers of a property development company in High Court proceedings regarding agreements for sale and purchase
- Advising a major bank in relation to protecting and realising security over property owned by a third party
- Acting for a high-profile individual in defending defamation claims
Professional Activities and Experience
Senior Associate, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Auckland (2011 - present)
Senior Solicitor, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Auckland (2010)
Senior Associate, Ashurst LLP, London (2007 - 2009)
Solicitor, Ashurst LLP, London (2005 - 2007)
Barrister, Chambers of Andrew Brown QC, Auckland (2003 - 2005)
Solicitor, another major New Zealand law firm, Auckland (2001 - 2003)
Education
LLB (Hons) (University of Otago, 2000)
BSc (University of Otago, 2000)
New Zealand