Intellectual property

Webber Wentzel

The ‘strong and capable’ team at Webber Wentzel is well-known for advising on transactional and commercial IP matters, and assists clients from the healthcare, TMT, pharmaceutical, financial services and energy sectors, among others. Practice head Leanne Mostert ‘is always at the forefront of new IP developments’, and TMT expert Peter Grealy is ‘generous with his advice and a problem solver’. Tim Ball has experience in handling patent litigation for general pharmaceutical companies, and Carla Collett is a key name for advising on the monetisation of IP and data assets, copyright and trade mark litigation, and high-value commercial IP transactions. Bernadette Versfeld is very well known for her specialist focus on all areas of intellectual property law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The people are leading experts in their respective knowledge areas but have the ability to explain complex matters in such a way that anyone can understand it. No task is too small to take on and their attention to detail, even for small projects, are amazing. They are extremely efficient but never lose their people focus. ’
‘Leanne Mostert is innovative and understand how legal matters should align with the real world. ’
‘The team are exceptionally experienced.'
‘Peter Grealy is probably the most experienced and knowledgeable person in media law in the country. Carla Collett is really great; she understands the media area very well and is responsive, quick, and solutions orientated.’
‘Strong and capable team that always delivers excellent work in a timely manner. ’
‘Bernadette Versfeld always provides excellent and informed advice. Her response times are quick and efficient. She is very dependable and knowledgeable in her field.'
‘Bernadette always makes time for us and is speedy in responding.’

Key clients

Sanlam
Heineken International B.V
Ethos AI Fund
LA Group Investment Pty Ltd
Remgro Management Services
Akzo Nobel N.V
WMG Management Europe Limited
MTN
Multichoice
Haribo GmbH/ Rigo Trading

Work highlights

Acted as IP counsel to Sanlam on the formation of a joint venture with Allianz across 29 African jurisdictions to create the largest insurance group on the African continent.
Advising Heineken on the IP aspects of its proposed acquisition of South African wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings Limited, valued at ZAR 40.1 billion.
Representing an individual in bringing a compulsory licence application under South African patents against Vertex Pharmaceuticals, concerning Vertex's cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta.