ENSafrica‘s intellectual property practice ’provides a world-class service‘ and ’an unparalleled level of efficiency in navigating through the complex and ever-evolving world of intellectual property‘, and the team garners praise for its ’in-depth knowledge of patent laws and regulations‘. Practice head Gaelyn Scott has a strong reputation for her expertise in advising on strategic portfolio and brand management, the enforcement of intellectual property rights and IP disputes. Waldo Steyn leads the commercial IP group, and counts licensing and franchising as core strengths. Joanne van Harmelen specialises in pharmaceutical, life sciences and biotechnology patents matters. Rowan Forster focuses on assisting agrochemical sector clients with trade mark and patent issues; he co-leads the trade mark prosecution team with the ’detail-oriented and extremely professional‘ Ilse du Plessis. Liézal Mostert and Tevin Jones are also singled out for their contributions.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Approachable and friendly team with an impressive reach across Africa.’
‘Ilse du Plessis is a pleasure to deal with.'
- 'The team's level of professionalism and dedication surpasses all expectations. From the very beginning of the patent application process, they demonstrated an exceptional understanding of my needs and a keen attention to detail.'
- 'What truly sets them apart is their commitment to delivering a thorough and comprehensive service. The team's ability to think creatively and strategically proved invaluable. Their proactive approach and insightful suggestions truly showcased their expertise in the field.'
- 'The team was an absolute delight to work with. Their friendly demeanor, combined with their prompt and clear communication, fostered a positive and collaborative environment.'
- 'Their professionalism, combined with their creative thinking and friendly approach, has made them an unrivaled force in the field of intellectual property law.'
- 'Waldo Steyn shows an exceptional level of efficiency and professionalism. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence were evident in every aspect of our collaboration. His ability to simplify complex legal matters was truly remarkable. Whenever we encountered obstacles or challenges, he approached them with a fresh perspective and provided innovative solutions. His resourcefulness and adaptability truly set him apart. His exceptional qualities as a legal professional, combined with his friendly and approachable nature, make him a true asset to the firm.'
‘The practice has leading experts handling our matters in a professional manner with confidence.’
Key clients
- Altron TMT Proprietary Limited
- ABSA Bank
- Adcock Ingram Healthcare (Pty) Ltd
- Bidvest
- Bloomberg
- Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Ceva Animal
- Christian Laboutin
- Cipla
- Cirque du Soleil
- Conde Nast / Advance Legal
- Core Computer Group
- Cricket South Africa
- Dr Reddy’s
- EOH
- Eskom
- Ferrero Group / Soremartec
- Grindrod
- Korridor Holdings
- Kganya Brands
- Hilton Hotels
- Hollard
- Investec
- Italtile
- Lactalis
- Life Healthcare
- MTN Group
- Nedbank
- Ninety One
- Omnia Group Proprietary Limited
- Ram Couriers
- Sappi
- Sanlam
- Servest
- South African Airways
- South African Reserve Bank
- Telkom
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Tiger Food Brands Intellectual Property Holding Company
- Unilever
- UPL group
- Weir Minerals
Work highlights
- Advised Altron TMT SA Group Proprietary Limited on the IP aspects of a sale of business and a related “safety-net” licence to a counter party.
- Assisting Omnia Group with multinational patent filing and portfolio management.
- Assisted the UPL group of companies with filing over 1100 trade marks in multiple jurisdictions as well as maintaining the UPL in-house trade mark database.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gaelyn Scott