Virginia Nichols

Virginia came to Intellectual Property (IP) law with an academic background in physics and electrical and electronic engineering. She has extensive experience in IP, including three years in the public service as an Assistant Commissioner of Trade Marks and Patents, and is currently a Senior Associate in the litigation team at Corcoran French.

“Although my specialist area and expertise are in intellectual property law,” Virginia says, “my day-to-day practice also involves dispute resolution in all areas of civil litigation, which provides a broad range of situations in which to engage my problem-solving skills”. 

She has been a guest lecturer on the Masters of Intellectual Property (MIP) since 2023. When asked what she likes most about teaching at the University of Auckland, Virginia says she particularly enjoys “engaging with questions from the students”.

For students considering a career in IP Virgina says, “follow what interests you. It may be a specialist area of law, but there is room within the field to find your own niche.”