FEATURED WINNER

Tim Walden

“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”

Kerri Reed, Premiere Mortgage Centre

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WINNER: Law Firm Leader of the Year (<100 Lawyers)

www.jamesandwells.com

linkedin.com/company/james-&-wells-ip

info@jamesandwells.com

+64 7 957 5660

85 Alexandra Street, Hamilton 3204

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WINNER: Law Firm Leader of the Year (<100 Lawyers)

Tim Walden

facebook.com/GreenInfrastructurePartners

@fundexcapital

1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua

@jaws_IP

Tim Walden is Managing Partner of renowned intellectual property firm James & Wells, and is an internationally recognised specialist in trade mark law. Known for his compassionate and human-centric leadership, Tim

The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic. Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace. Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.

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Managing Partner

was awarded Law Firm Leader of the Year (<100 Lawyers) at the 2023 New Zealand Law Awards. He currently leads 90+ staff across James & Wells’ Australasian offices, and also runs his own award-winning practice. In 2022/23, Tim steered James & Wells through a year of record growth while also investing in his people. Over the course of the year, Tim established a series of initiatives to enable his people to thrive. These included a mentoring program that allowed senior leaders to spend valuable time with juniors and help them build strong career pathways, as well as a series of ‘wellbeing workshops’ that focus on resilience, a positive state of mind and handling tricky situations. Tim has always been a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and he is currently Chair of the firm’s Diversity & Culture Committee. It has been particularly important to Tim to recognise and support neurodiversity, and in 2023 he gave a platform to Autism NZ at the firm’s AGM to help the organisation raise awareness of its initiatives. James & Wells has experienced strong financial growth under Tim’s leadership and continues to attract new and emerging talent. Tim’s focus on investing in people allows all his staff to thrive in their professional growth and to reach their full potential fast. The thriving collegial culture at James & Wells, combined with its reputation as a formidable intellectual property firm that is attorney-owned and completely client focused, has attracted the names of several new high-profile partners. The firm continues to grow rapidly under Tim’s stewardship, particularly in Australia. A natural leader, Tim’s sincere enthusiasm, open communication and flexible working style inspire staff to join him in his strategic vision. Despite Tim’s extremely busy role in his own practice, he operates an open-door policy and manages to ‘get stuff done’ to an incredibly high standard. Tim has received numerous accolades throughout his career – a testament to his dedication to excellence, client service, outstanding results and a thriving workplace. On winning the award, Tim said, “I am humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. I’m passionate about providing an open and fun working environment, where people are empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We enjoy celebrating each other’s successes, and it’s a big part of our culture. After all, it’s our people that matter most.” James & Wells is one of Australasia’s largest independent intellectual property law firms. Founded in 1979, it is a full-service firm with award-winning experts in patents, trade marks and litigation. James & Wells won Intellectual Property Firm of the Year at the 2022 NZ Law Awards.