Britta is a lawyer and patent attorney with over 20 years’ experience in the Intellectual Property profession. Her specialist areas include mechanical engineering, electronics, robotics, medical devices, aerospace, and agri-technologies. She is also an expert in registered designs.

Before becoming a patent attorney, Britta gained first-hand experience of the R&D process through working in manufacturing and IT. With such a practical background, she readily understands the needs of her clients and relates easily with designers, engineers and business owners alike.

Britta is renowned for providing clients with practical, tailored solutions to protect and commercialise their innovations and for developing intellectual property strategies specific to business needs.

Britta represents New Zealand in an international organisation that engages with Patent Offices around the world to assist with harmonisation and effectiveness of design laws (among other things). She frequently consults to companies seeking expert advice and presents papers on IP topics to universities and industry groups.

Leading publication IAM recommends Britta for patent prosecution in the Patent 1000. They say: “Up and coming prosecution star Britta Fromow receives tremendous feedback from her longstanding patrons:

“Over the last nine years we have worked together on a range of patent prosecutions and would recommend Britta without a doubt. I was impressed by her efficient practices, excellent results and thorough understanding of the patent law. She always breaks the world of patents and intellectual property down into the good and useful.”

“Britta is the epitome of what I look for when engaging a firm for this type of work. She takes everything I throw at her in her stride and then puts the information back to me in my language.”

Outside of work, Britta enjoys sailing, skiing, reading and spending time with her family. You might also occasionally find her in the skies, enjoying her love of flying light aircraft.

Early in her career, Britta worked in engineering, manufacturing and IT, for the likes of Carter Holt Harvey Plastics and Cardax International. Here she experienced first-hand, the process of bringing ideas to market.

Subsequently, and before becoming a registered patent attorney, Britta worked at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand where she gained a thorough understanding of the official process involved in registering IP rights. As a patent attorney, Britta achieved much before joining James & Wells in 2020 – she was a founding Partner in Catalyst IP and prior to that she was a Partner in Baldwins IP.

Britta assists a range of clients from entrepreneurs to corporates. She enjoys helping her clients achieve growth and gain value as a result of a sound intellectual property portfolio. She is particularly skilled at providing pragmatic, tailored IP strategies and assisting companies to prepare for investment or sale.