Nicky is an experienced Trade Marks professional having qualified in South Africa and worked for 15 years at the largest IP firm in Africa. She qualified as a South African Attorney in 1998 and was drawn to the dynamic field of IP when she first worked at the South African IP Registry and then at a Music Rights organisation before her specialisation in Trade Marks commenced in 2008.

Nicky’s practice includes trade mark prosecution and portfolio management locally and internationally. She has considerable experience across a wide variety of industries and has represented high profile international clients in their trade mark matters.

Kylie is a senior paralegal assisting clients with filing, prosecuting, managing, and maintaining their IP rights. She has 17 years’ experience in intellectual property having worked for another IP firm both in their trade mark team, and their change management and training teams.

Kylie is a registered Australian Trade Marks Attorney and has a Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property, and a Legal Executive Diploma.

In her spare time, Kylie enjoys travelling and catching up on the latest mystery or thriller.

Theodore Doucas is the Principal Consultant for ZONE IP. He is a former Assistant Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks and Designs at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand and a former business owner so is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of business owners in protecting their intellectual property rights. He is also a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, a member of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ) and the International Trademark Owners Association (INTA), ECTA, and FICPI.

Fiona is a paralegal in the Patent and Trade Marks team helping clients with registering their patent and trade marks. Fiona has considerable experience having worked in IP over 14 years. Fiona has experience in all aspect of trade mark law, as well as trade mark portfolio management. When Fiona is not at work, she finds joy in reading, cherishing family time, and enthusiastically supporting her kids at their sports events.

Libby is our Wellington Office Administrator. She is assisting with accounts receivable, Notary administration and smooth day-to-day running of the office.

Libby has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria University majoring in Criminology and English Literature.

In her spare time, Libby enjoys spending time with her dog at the beach and baking sweet treats.

Christopher joined the Wellington office of Zone IP as a lawyer in 2015.
After completing his LLB with honours at Victoria University Wellington in 2011, Chris worked at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand as a Trade Mark Examiner. Chris excelled in his role and in 2014 received the highest mark in the national trade marks exam.

Chris works in the trade marks team assisting with trade mark availability, infringement issues, copyright, passing off and the Fair Trading Act. Chris also assists with filing and prosecuting trade mark applications, managing trade mark oppositions and disputes and drafting intellectual property agreements.

Karen is our Marketing and Operations Director.

Karen started her career in Australia working as Operations Manager for a large pharmaceutical company gaining strong marketing and operations experience in the Australian market. She has also worked in the New Zealand government and has spent the last 10 years working in the New Zealand charity sector helping to raise millions of dollars for local charities.

Karen is a member of the Wellington Rotary Club, BNI and the International Trademark Owners Association (INTA).

Karen’s focus at Zone IP is on marketing the company and on the overall strategic direction of the company.