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Henry Hughes IP Named 5-Star Employer of Choice for 2025
Henry Hughes IP is proud to announce its recognition as a 5-Star Employer of Choice for 2025 by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer. This prestigious accolade celebrates law firms across Australia and New Zealand that demonstrate excellence in workplace culture, employee engagement, and organisational leadership. Our inclusion in this elite group reflects the firm's proactive and people-first approach to legal practice.
For Henry Hughes IP, this award is a satisfying complement to our regular recognition as a top Intellectual Property specialist law firm, and of individual IP stars. Directors David Moore, David Nowak and Elena Szentiványi are wrapped.
“This award is a testament to our commitment to creating a workplace where people thrive professionally and personally, and our values-led approach to how we do business,” says Elena.
A Culture of Care, Curiosity, and Collaboration
Founded over 140 years ago, Henry Hughes IP has evolved into a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking firm. The transformation has been driven by a deliberate vision from its leadership team, who embraced and has enhanced flexible working arrangements since the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm continues to level up how it operates, while holding true to transparency, open-mindedness, and mutual respect - values that define our culture.
Flexible Work Supports Balance and Wellbeing
Henry Hughes IP’s fully flexible hybrid working model is a cornerstone of the employee experience. We believe this flexibility has proven effective in retaining talent while maintaining high levels of client service.
Our responsiveness and clarity of communication were among the top reasons clients cited for choosing Henry Hughes IP in a recent survey, which yielded an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 65 - well above the legal sector average of 33.
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As one of the first law firms in New Zealand to be Living Wage accredited, regular pay reviews ensure all team members receive fair compensation. But wellbeing goes far beyond pay.
Through our partnership with Givenwell, employees have access to confidential counselling, wellness resources, and prepaid credits for health-related services.
This followed the firm achieving accreditation through the Wellbeing Tick Insights to Action program, reflecting months of work with wellbeing specialist Philly Powell.
Professional Development and Career Progression
At Henry Hughes IP continuous learning is not just encouraged but role-modelled by our Directors. Our leadership team, comprised of internationally recognised IP practitioners, actively engages with staff and the industry – and each contributes to the development of IP law in New Zealand and Australia.
Experts Frank Callus, David Nowak, David Moore, and Elena Szentiványi provide direct mentorship, offering team members exposure to complex IP matters and leadership in the profession.
Recognition of individual excellence is also common. Our team members have been named Rising Stars and featured in publications such as World Trademark Review 1000, Chambers and Partners, and Managing IP.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Henry Hughes IP’s whānau-first culture supports diversity across generations, technical specialties, and locations. With 71% female representation and over 90% of staff utilising the flexible arrangements, the firm ensures that all team members can thrive regardless of their life circumstances.
Many hires are known to the firm prior to joining, and 20% of current staff are returnees. This speaks volumes about the firm’s ability to create a workplace people want to come back to.
Looking Ahead
As Henry Hughes IP continues to evolve, we remain focused on delivering exceptional client service, fostering professional growth, and maintaining a workplace where everyone feels valued.
In charting tomorrow’s course our approach is grounded by our firm’s rich history and our unwavering belief in the power of building a great team.
