Our founder

Shelley Rowland is the founder and principal of SR | Intellectual Property. Shelley has over 25 years experience in IP, working in both Australia and New Zealand, assisting innovators from around the globe to capture, protect and realise the value in their IP.  She is a past partner of a long standing New Zealand IP firm and has hands on experience working in-house with a start up company.

Shelley primarily advises companies and institutions in the life sciences, biotechnology, and chemical fields.  She has particular interest and expertise in the agricultural, human therapeutics and clean technology sectors and a passionate interest in sports innovation.

Credentials |  MSc (molecular biology and biochemistry), MMgt (entrepreneurship and innovation), and registered patent attorney (Australia and New Zealand).  Author of a number of scientific publications and various articles and newsletters on IP.  Past lecturer in IP in the Masters of Bioscience Enterprise course at the University of Auckland and has lectured on IP as it relates to biotechnology at the University of Technology Sydney.  Post graduate research experience and developer of a diagnostic test for a genetic disorder.

Specialist IP experience |   Advice on patentability, drafting and filing patents and designs, prosecuting patent and design applications, providing validity and infringement advice, strategic management of IP portfolios, IP strategy development, educating companies/key personnel on IP, preparing IP policies and procedures, in-house IP management and services.

Technology/sector-specific experience | Biotechnology, synthetic biology, microbiology, molecular biology, human and animal genetics, genetic gain, chemistry, life sciences, fermentation, clean technology, agricultural technology and chemicals, human therapeutics and diagnostics, natural products, nutraceuticals, biologics, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines and diagnostics, food technology, wine making, industrial processes, mining, medical devices, packaging, mechanical innovations.

Awards and Recognitions | Asia Law Leading Lawyers 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars 2012, 2014; Best Lawyers® (NZ) 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (Biotechnology and Intellectual Property); Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year (NZ) 2023, 2025 (Biotechnology and Intellectual Property, Auckland); WIPR Leaders 2021 (Patents, NZ), 2022, 2023.

Affiliations | Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys, member of the Institute of Patent and Trademark Attorneys (Australia), member of Beta Gamma Sigma, member of BIOTECH New Zealand.

Personal life | Outside of work, Shelley spends time with her family and is a passionate swimmer, competing in national and international events.  She has represented New Zealand and is a past New Zealand open record holder and current New Zealand masters record holder. She is a past member of the Board of Swimming Auckland.

Find Shelley on LinkedIn: