Shona Foster
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Associate
Shona is a lawyer based in James and Wells’ Hamilton office and is part of the commercialisation team.
Expertise
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Waikato (2007)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences, University of Waikato (1985)
- Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand
Shona joined James and Wells in 2007. Based in Hamilton, Shona is a member of the commercialisation and trade marks teams. Shona's previous experience includes eight years at a large research organisation, where her roles included Contract Development Manager and Intellectual Property Manager.
Commercialisation
Shona helps clients with the legal work required to secure ownership of their intellectual property and get it to market in New Zealand and overseas. Her frequent work on cross-border agreements, together with the firm’s large network of international associates, enables her to help clients avoid legal pitfalls when partnering with offshore companies. Shona also provides advice to offshore clients in relation to legal compliance in New Zealand.
Her work includes drafting, reviewing and advising in relation to all agreements which have an intellectual property law component, including:
- research and development agreements;
- licences for patents, trade marks, copyright, know-how, etc;
- software licences;
- distribution agreements;
- website agreements;
- confidentiality agreements;
- heads of agreement; and
- intellectual property policies.
Trade marks
As a member of the trade marks team, Shona advises New Zealand and overseas clients in relation to trade mark registration and use and related legal issues.
Memberships and affiliations
- Regional Chair (New Zealand) - Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Member - New Zealand Law Society
- Student member - New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys