Adams & Adams

Intellectual Property: Patents

Partner

James is a patent attorney with an electronic and computer background, with a genuine interest in these things, and all things technological. James works in the patent department, mainly assisting local clients in filing and prosecution of patent and design applications in South Africa and indeed all over the world.

James’s technical qualification is electronic engineering (from the University of Pretoria) and he focuses on the somewhat nebulous area of software-implemented inventions, but routinely deals with electrical and mechanical inventions and industrial designs. James also excels at patent searching, whether novelty searches prior to filing patent applications, validity searches after filing, or freedom-to-operate searches to safeguard commercial implementation.

James is focused on improving systems and processes internally within Adams & Adams, having active involvement in the IT committee and also being involved with, and advising on, the implementation of the South African Patent Office’s e-filing service for patent and design applications.

English

Memberships

International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) – Member Legal Practice Council (LPC) – Member Licencing Executives Society (LES) – Member SA Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) – Member South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) – Fellow SAIIPL: IT Liaison Committee Member SAIIPL: Patent & Design Law Committee Member SAIIPL: Public Affairs Sub-Committee Member – Judgement Reporting Group

Awards & Accolates

Ranked “Recommended” in Prosecution by IAM Patent 1000 | 2019-2024  Listed "Other Key Lawyers" by The Legal 500 | 2025

Academic Record

LLB – University of Pretoria | 2003 BEng (Electronic) – University of Pretoria | 2000

Qualifications

Registered Patent Attorney | 2008 Admitted Attorney | 2006