Spoor & Fisher

Foreign Counsel, Trademarks

Kay Rickelman is Spoor & Fisher’s foreign trade marks counsel. She has BS cum laude and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Illinois. She is an Attorney of the State of Illinois, as well as Attorney of the Seventh Circuit, US Federal Court. Kay has over three decades of experience in domestic and international trade mark registration, searches and clearance, and international trade mark litigation. She specialises in portfolio management and oversees trade mark matters in Africa and abroad, on behalf of international companies. Kay is an expert in obtaining and enforcing trade mark protection in foreign countries.

Kay is from Illinois where she attended the University of Illinois, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, cum laude in 1981 and  a Juris Doctor (J.D.) at the University of Illinois College of law in 1984. Thereafter she practiced in Chicago for almost 10 years at the IP firm Hill, Van Santen, Steadman & Simpson, where she was a director for the last five years. She immigrated to South Africa in 1994, after marrying her husband, a South African, and joined Spoor & Fisher shortly thereafter. She has been Spoor & Fisher’s Foreign Counsel since 1999. Kay actively participates in INTA and has served on its Board of Directors, was chair of the INTA Bulletin Committee and has served on many other committees including the Planning Committee, the Leadership Development Committee and currently on the Building Bridges Committee. She has spoken at several INTA conferences on various aspects of trademarks in Africa, leadership roles, and having a career as an expat attorney. She has also spoken on these topics at FICPI, an ABA webinar and an MIP’s Women’s Forum.

Professional activities

INTA Board of Directors 2009-2011.

INTA Planning Committee 2009-2010.

Chair of INTA Bulletin Committee 2008-2009 and Vice Chair 2007-2008.

INTA Bulletin Sub-committee Chair on Law and Practice in Africa and the Middle East 2003-2006.

INTA Leadership Development Committee 2010-2014.

INTA Building Bridges Committee 2015-2016 University of Illinois Alumni Association Board of Directors 2008-2014.

University of Illinois Alumni Association Audit Committee 2008-2014, South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law International Treaties Committee.

Kay has spoken at various international conferences and webinars, including INTA, ABA, FICPI and MIP Women’s Forum on various topics including different aspects of Trademarks in Africa, Leadership and Benefits and Challenges of being an Ex-Pat in the context of Trademark Practice.

Market Recognition

Listed in the WTR 1000 as one of the World's Leading Trade Mark Professionals in 2011 - 2020.

Listed in the Who's Who Legal Trademark edition of the International Who's Who of Business Lawyers for 2010 - 2016.

Listed in the Who's Who Legal Trademark editions 2014 - 2020.

Kay is listed as one of the World’s Leading Practitioners in Euromoney's Expert Guides - Trade Marks 2016 - 2019.

Kay is listed as one of the World’s Leading Practitioners in Euromoney's Expert Guides - Women in Business Law 2018 - 2019.

Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders 2017.

Legal 500 ranks Kay as one of South Africa's Intellectual Property Law experts 2017.

Client Choice Award: Intellectual Property - Trademarks in South Africa, 2020.

WTR Global leaders 2024

English

Associate member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL).

Member of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).

Member of the International Trademark Association (INTA).

Committee member of the INTA Leadership Development.

Member of the Legal Practice Council (LPC).

BS (Cum Laude) in Psychology at the University of Illinois, 1981

J.D., University of Illinois, 1984. Licensed Attorney, State of Illinois, USA. Federal District Court, Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit.

Kay loves to travel and explore wilderness areas, especially the African bush, and different cultures in foreign countries. Photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cycling and reading are activities she enjoys at home and while travelling.