Sarah is experienced in all aspects of intellectual property having specialised in the area since 1996. Her work experience includes four years in London working as in–house counsel for the BBC and Nestlé UK and for a large international law firm.

Sarah advises clients on a wide range of intellectual property–related issues including strategies for protection, exploitation, transfer, and enforcement. She specialises in trade mark law, specifically, providing strategic advice on the trade mark portfolio management, registrability, infringement, and licensing to both local and international clients.

Sarah’s significant transactional experience includes advising on due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and initial public offerings, drafting and negotiating intellectual property–related contracts, and advising on all aspects of franchising (including franchise relationships), and drafting franchise–related agreements and documentation.

Sarah also has experience advising on the laws surrounding the sale and marketing of goods and services (including advertising standards compliance, sales promotion schemes, gambling and intellectual property issues), and intellectual property and commercial aspects of sponsorship arrangements.

Sarah is a current member and Past Chair of the New Zealand Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ) committee, and a member of the Franchise Association of New Zealand. 

Sarah is also a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and on the INTA Commercialisation of Brands Committee.

Chambers Asia–Pacific 2024
Intellectual Property

Leading Lawyer

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024
Intellectual Property

Next Generation Partner

Work Highlights

Wet n Forget

Trade mark portfolio and brand strategy advice.

New Zealand Comfort Group

Advising on all aspects of intellectual property rights protection, enforcement and exploitation including drafting intellectual property licence agreements.

Westpac New Zealand

Intellectual property, commercial, sales and marketing, and consumer law advice.

New Zealand Cricket

Rights protection and enforcement advice.

Paralympics New Zealand

Advising on intellectual property aspects of athlete agreements.

New Zealand Rugby Union

Intellectual property licensing advice and agreements in relation to an All Blacks tourism attraction.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News