Patents

Janice is the Chairperson of the Patent Department at Adams & Adams, a partner and patent attorney. She has been a Partner at the firm since 2004. She holds a master’s degree in Commercial Law, and as senior partner, has a shared responsibility to head-up the department at Adams & Adams responsible for filing and prosecuting to grant patent and design applications on instruction from clients outside of South Africa.

Janice heads up a team of 33 people, all dedicated to delivering an exceptional service at a competitive price. Janice has recruited and trained a team, representative of the South African demographic, committed and working to world-class standards for Fortune 500 clients. Janice counts amongst her achievements the upskilling of previously disadvantaged staff and of secretarial trainees (from the Adams & Adams training school) to occupy vital positions within this team, engendering empowerment, and championing diversity.

As head of the department responsible for the largest patent portfolio in South Africa, Janice promotes best management practices, and a dedication to best practice efficiencies, passing on the benefits to clients of the Firm. She is the client relationship partner for a number of high-profile, international clients.

Memberships: International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) – Member Legal Practice Council (LPC) – Member South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) – Fellow

Accolades:

IAM Patent 1000 – Individuals: Prosecution | 2017 – 2022 Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards – Patents: South Africa | 2021 – 2022 Legal 500 – Recommended Lawyers: Intellectual Property | 2023 WIPR – Leaders: Patents | 2022 MIP – Notable Practitioner | 2022 - 2023

Partner | Chairperson - Patents

Registered Patent Attorney | 2004 Admitted Attorney | 2001 LLM (Commercial Law) – University of South Africa | 2002 LLB – University of South Africa | 1999 BSc (General) – University of the Witwatersrand | 1992