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Highlights of 2025: Henry Hughes IP named a Top IP Specialist IP Law Firm and 5-Star Employer
Henry Hughes IP takes great pride in its boutique identity, and fostering personal, long-term relationships with clients. Second to getting winning outcomes for our clients, it’s great to be recognised amongst our peers in the intellectual property and legal communities.
This year it was particularly pleasing to be acknowledged as a 5-Star Employer too. We think the way we’re led by our values and integrity, and operate in the spirit of collaboration over competition is pretty special – and key to our success. And it certainly doesn’t compromise our results. We were named a Top Specialist Intellectual Property firm for the fifth year in a row!
2025 gave us many reasons to celebrate. Mark Eftimov ticked-over his 50th year at Henry Hughes, and he’s still as sharp as ever. Tracey Monkton marked her 40th anniversary as the (somewhat) invisible glue and task-master of our Trade Marks team.
As rapidly developing talent, Jesse Strafford was named a Rising Star (again), and Charlene Lo completed her 8 years’ study to become a registered patent attorney.
Those in the field know that we achieve none of this alone. Besides the highly collaborative way Henry Hughes team weave together to provide comprehensive and custom IP services, we take full advantage of our professional networks worldwide. We thank particularly our IP colleagues, and IP Office talent who we work closely with to achieve better outcomes, and the many others that help move the industry forward.
Awards & Recognition - New Zealand and International
Our accolades are reflective of our reputation with referring firms and practitioners across the world, who entrust us with their New Zealand and Australian matters.
Rankings were based on a number of attributes, including initiatives, achievements, longevity in the industry, points of difference, third party references and client service approach.
NZ Lawyer Awards
• Top Specialist Firm - Intellectual Property category
“A renowned name in the market, Henry Hughes IP combines a longstanding heritage of quality service with the nimbleness of a boutique practice. An ensemble of nine qualified practitioners covers the entire spectrum of IP rights – from assessments and application processes to handling disputes related to validity and infringement – offering legal advice focused on clients' needs across various sectors.” [IAM Patent 1000 Rankings 2025]
Managing IP and IP Stars Asia Pacific Awards
- Named a Notable Firm for Trade Mark Disputes*
- Named a Tier 2 firm for Trade Mark Prosecution*
- Named a Tier 2 firm for Patent prosecution
- Named a Tier 3 firm for Patent disputes
- David Nowak named as a Patent Star*
- Jesse Strafford named as a Rising Star*
“Global players in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, NZX-listed entities and innovative start-ups seek the counsel of director and patent team lead David Nowak, reflecting his unparalleled acumen in life sciences patents.” [IAM Patent 1000 Rankings 2025]
World Trade Mark Review (WTR) 1000 Rankings
- Received the Bronze ranking for Enforcement and Litigation*
- Received the Silver ranking for Prosecution and Strategy*
- David Moore named as a Silver Individual for Prosecution and Strategy*
- Elena Szentiványi named as a Silver Individual for Enforcement and Litigation*
“On the litigious front, Elena Szentiványi remains a formidable maven in the courtroom, respected for her 30 years of experience as an indispensable defender of client IP assets and keen eye for commercial opportunities.” [WTR 1000 Rankings 2025]
I AM Patent 1000 Rankings
- David Nowak named a Recommended Individual for Prosecution*
- Frank Callus acknowledged as a Recommended Individual*
- Recognised as a “Silver” Recommended Firm for Prosecution*
Chambers Asia Pacific
- Recognised as a Band 3 firm*
- Elena Szentiványi named as a Band 4 individual*
- David Moore named as a Band 4 individual
“Holistic services and customised clientele experience are the hallmarks of the practice, spearheaded by director David Moore, whose breadth of non-contentious and commercial IP experience across Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East earns him a great reputation among patrons and peers.” [WTR 1000 Rankings 2025]
Asia IP
- David Moore recognised as an IP Expert*
- David Nowak recognised as an IP Expert*
Lexology Index Rankings (formerly Who’s Who Legal)
- David Moore a recommended for Australia & New Zealand – IP – Trade Marks*
- Frank Callus a recommended for Australia & New Zealand – IP – Patent Attorneys*
“Qualified as a UK and European patent attorney with a background in biophysics, principal Frank Callus prosecutes patents with a mastery only decades of thought leadership can bring. He leverages a global network of experts to provide comprehensive services to a diverse range of patrons, focusing primarily on patents in mechanical engineering and chemistry.” [IAM Patent 1000 Rankings 2025]
Read more about Our People and expertise.
Thank you again to the researchers, and our peers, clients and referees involved in each research process.
December 2025
