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Gold - Firms
“Adams & Adams delivers an excellent patent service which covers prosecution and litigation to a wide array of clients. The team bring great technical acumen and provide a work product that is exceptional.” Chair of the firm’s patent practice, Janice Galvad leads the way in the patents overseas filing section. She is passionate about efficiency and streamlining processes to save money and time for her high-profile international clientele. Leading the patents overseas filing section alongside Galvad, Wilhelm Prozesky stands out for his mastery in managing foreign patrons’ patent and design portfolios in South Africa. Customers commend him for his expert advice and personalised service. Focusing her practice on drafting and filing applications throughout Africa, Nicky Garnett brings more than a decade of expertise and a nuanced insight into the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation to adeptly manage incoming instructions from foreign clients seeking robust protection across the continent. Further bolstering the prosecution offering is Pieter Visagie. With his extensive exposure to the workings of key foreign patent offices, he brings invaluable insight and big-picture advice to his following. His approach considers their short-, medium- and long-term interests, often leveraging the multidisciplinary offering of the firm’s practice by collaborating with colleagues in commercial law on IP matters. Another standout professional is Vishen Pillay, who leverages his technical background in electronic engineering to protect inventions in the electronics and telecommunications space. Notably, Pillay has drafted and prosecuted applications for South African universities, US Fortune 500 companies and top 100 South African companies. Tech-savvy James Davies brings a keen interest in software-implemented inventions and thrives when handling complex searches that require a close attention to detail. On the telecommunications side, Johnny Fiandeiro is “very professional and knowledgeable, and provides expert advice on the subject matter”. He devises strategies for success that are both practical and cost effective. Drawing on his background in mechanical engineering, Colin MacKenzie contributes extensive IP knowledge, built up throughout his almost four decades in the game. He shines for his meticulous crafting and prosecuting of patent and design applications, with a keen focus on the engineering and nuclear industry. Heading the patent and design litigation group, Russell Bagnall manages multi-jurisdictional litigation in Africa with finesse and stands out for his strong opinion work, practical approach and stellar advice on pharmaceutical disputes. Dario Tanziani also excels in this field; he does superb work representing multinational research-based pharmaceutical companies in blockbuster drug litigations and has played a pivotal role in several landmark decisions. Alexis Apostolidis adeptly navigates the intersection of competition law and intellectual property and skilfully represents major players in their respective industries. Notably, he has been acting for a leading global mining technology company as part of its global litigation relating to core orientation devices. The matter is made particularly complex by the evidence in the Australian proceedings, which sets out the firmware and software of the offending devices, being subject to a protection order. Also on board is Danie Dohmen, who boasts a stellar track record litigating significant cases and setting precedents in South African patent law. His proficiency is evident in his contributions to IP policy discussions at a national and international level.
Adams & Adams is a leading African law firm that provides intellectual property (IP), commercial law, real estate and dispute resolution advice and support, tailored to clients’ specific needs.
The firm is locally and internationally recognised for its work in South Africa and across the African continent and prides itself on its valuable client relationships and expertise of more than 100 skilled attorneys.
As the largest IP law firm in Africa, Adams & Adams works with clients across industries to protect, enforce and commercialise all forms of IP on the continent. With offices in four major cities in South Africa and another 23 associate offices in the rest of Africa, the firm serves as a gateway into Africa for IP clients, providing support in all jurisdictions on the continent and surrounding islands. Its IP service offering is complemented by a full spectrum of transactional and dispute resolution services offered by its multi-disciplinary commercial law, real estate and dispute resolution practice.
Through the firm’s extensive African network, it can assist its clients to expand into Africa by facilitating the establishment of effective business structures. Adams & Adams leverages its geographic footprint and depth of expertise in a unique manner. Through its strong network of associate offices, it reduces complexity, creates efficiencies, and provides economies of scale that enable it to offer expert services cost effectively.
We have associate offices in the following African countries:
- Angola;
- Botswana;
- Burundi;
- Cameroon (OAPI);
- Cape Verde;
- Egypt (North Africa);
- Ethiopia;
- Gambia
- Ghana;
- Kenya;
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mauritius
- Mozambique (ARIPO)
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Swaziland
- Tanzania (including Zanzibar)
- Zimbabwe
This, in conjunction with its strong commitment to professionalism, driven by service excellence and partner accessibility, sets it apart from any other law firm on the continent.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION:
IP services
The firm’s IP services include:
- Filing, prosecution, registration, renewal and restoration of statutory IP rights (patents, trade marks, registered designs and copyright)
- Administrative and quasi-judicial enforcement of IP rights
- Judicial enforcement of IP rights
- Anti-counterfeiting
- Trade investigations
- Licensing
- Data security
- Regulatory
- Advertising
- Domain name management
Commercial services
The firm’s commercial, real estate and dispute resolution services include:
- Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation
- Administrative, Constitutional, Procurement and Regulatory Law
- Anti-trust and Competition
- Banking and Finance
- Commercial Real Estate
- Company Secretarial
- Construction
- Corporate/M&A
- Corporate Investigations
- Insolvency
- Insurance
- IP Commercialisation
Apart from its comprehensive service offerings to clients, Adams & Adams is actively involved in developing the law across Africa. The firm’s contributions include:
- Formulating and reviewing IP policies and legislation in most African countries
- Making submissions to the South African Parliament on proposed IP, and other, legislation, with input from local and international clients
- Representing NGOs acting as amici curiae (friends of the court) in public interest litigation
- Providing governance and regulatory compliance training to clients
- Presenting annual seminars and webinars to highlight and discuss legal developments
- Presenting lectures to university students
Industry leadership
Attorneys of the firm are thought leaders in their respective fields, with many serving as members of local and international boards and committees, including:
- South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
- Board of International Trademark Association (INTA)
- Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA)
- Franchise Association of South Africa Licensing Executives Society International
- The Gauteng Attorneys’ Association (GAA)
- The Pretoria Attorneys’ Association (PAA)
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- Administrative Justice Association of South Africa
- Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP)
Jurisdiction