Litigator elevated to associate at James & Wells

James & Wells has elevated litigation team member Kathryn McLardy to associate.

McLardy commenced with the firm in February 2022. She has handled matters related to commercial IP.

She has reviewed, negotiated and drafted IP-related contracts. Moreover, she has provided advice on policies, contracts, and IP ownership to university staff.

McLardy has a graduate certificate in social policy, covering Māori development. She possesses knowledge regarding Indigenous IP rights in relation to Māori stakeholders, and has collaborated with kaiārahi rangihau Māori to affirm the recognition of mātauranga Māori, taonga species, and Māori data sovereignty.

Prior to her tenure at James & Wells, she accumulated nearly a decade of experience at the University of Canterbury's Research and Innovation Department, where she served as a contracts adviser.

Tim Walden, the firm's managing partner, praised McLardy’s work on contracts and agreements. He also highlighted her experience handling IP infringement, as well as trade mark and patent opposition proceedings before the High Court.