Careers
Why Spoor & Fisher?
Why choose a seat at our table? Well, that depends on what you can do. On what you’ve done. On what you want to do next. Because, at Spoor & Fisher, our greatest strength is the combined talent of our people.
Join our exceptional base of patent and trade mark attorneys, scientists, engineers, technical experts, administrative teams and support staff, and help us to offer our clients and partners access to the best work of outstanding people.
This work spans all aspects of IP law including trade marks, patents, copyright, registered designs, anti-counterfeiting, domain names, plant breeders’ rights, utility models, start-up support, consumer and advertising matters, commercial IP, IP audits and due diligence, and all related litigation.
No matter how challenging the task or jurisdiction, Spoor & Fisher is unwilling to stop at the first – orthe last – hurdle. Everything we do, and everything we are, is about using our IP expertise to protect uniqueness, manage potential and enforce fairness. En route, we want to help you advance your
career.
What do we value?
We value our legacy.
Over 100 years Spoor & Fisher has grown into a specialist, full-service IP law firm that provides trusted worldwide services.
We value our status.
We are proud to be the largest specialised IP service provider on the African continent: home to the field’s top thinkers and practitioners. Our broad footprint of offices now extends from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town to Jersey*, with a number of associated offices across Africa.
We value balance.
Spoor & Fisher is known for African expertise that is blended with rich cultural and social diversity. And we prioritise skilled alignment with the laws, cultures, traditions, and ways of working that exist across our operational regions.
We value knowledge.
We invest in training and developing our staff to build the relevant understanding, technical proficiency, and practical experience.
We value exploration.
And yet, at Spoor & Fisher, we never forget to keep our feet on the ground – because this is the soundest base for helping clients and partners to navigate complex legal landscapes.
Current Vacancies
Please note that all current vacancies in our Jersey (Channel Islands) office are restricted to those with residential qualifications. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications form overseas candidates.
Trainee Quotes Administrator ( Jersey )
This role will form part of our central quotes team, set up to respond to trade mark fee quote enquiries from existing and potential clients from around the world.Trainee Trade Mark Administrator ( Jersey )
We are looking to recruit a Trainee Trade Mark Administrator to join our team.Finance Assistant ( Jersey )
This is an important role within a busy accounts department who support a firm which specialises in the preparation, filing and subsequent prosecution and maintenance of trade marks and patents.Patent Intern – Life Sciences ( Pretoria )
Spoor & Fisher has a vacancy in our Centurion office for a Patent Intern in our Life Sciences team.Patent Intern – Engineering ( Pretoria )
Spoor & Fisher has a vacancy in our Centurion office for a Patent Intern in our Engineering team.Jonathan Whittaker is the Pretoria-based chair of the firm
Jonathan Whittaker is the Pretoria-based chair of the firm. He has a particularly well-established reputation for his patent work, with his extensive litigation experience being complemented by his advisory practice. He acts for clients in a range of areas including the mining and manufacturing sectors. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Hugh Moubray is one of the field’s most notable and most well-respected
Hugh Moubray is one of the field’s most notable and most well-respected practitioners. He has amassed a wealth of IP litigation experience in his career, and remains one of the most sought-out choices of counsel for opposition and infringement cases. He heads the firm’s patent litigation practice. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Herman Blignaut is a skilled attorney who is regularly engaged
Herman Blignaut is a skilled attorney who is regularly engaged on trade mark and copyright litigation and opposition. Clients commend him for being “very good with trade mark opposition and searches,” while other market commentators note his work on major mandates in the market. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Eben Van Wyk services a roster of notable clients in the sports
Eben Van Wyk services a roster of notable clients in the sports, consumer goods and retail industries. He is instructed for his counsel on trade mark opposition and infringement disputes, as well as trade mark filings and domain name registration. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Commentators laud Charles Webster as “one of the best IP attorneys in the country,”
Commentators laud Charles Webster as “one of the best IP attorneys in the country,” as well as an “expert and specialist litigator.” He is an accomplished trade mark and copyright litigation counsel with further experience of issues relating to competition law. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Carl Van Rooyen is a longstanding fixture in the market
Carl Van Rooyen is a longstanding fixture in the market, with a well-established reputation for his contentious IP representation. His practice focuses on both trade mark and copyright disputes, as well as unlawful competition. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Other interviewees praise the group as “fantastic,” while another asserted
Other interviewees praise the group as “fantastic,” while another asserted that it provides “good assistance and turnaround times,” concluding: “If we need quick support they are there.” – Chambers and Partners, 2021
A client reported that the firm provides “excellent service”
A client reported that the firm provides “excellent service,” adding: “They know our portfolio extremely well and have it all memorised. The service is always on time and they are always giving extra help.” – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Demonstrates proficiency acting for clients in areas including trade mark and patent
Demonstrates proficiency acting for clients in areas including trade mark and patent prosecution and enforcement, acting for both plaintiffs and defendants, with comprehensive accompanying registration and renewal capabilities. Additionally noted for its expertise in anti-counterfeiting. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Well regarded for its ability to service its prestigious client base in South Africa
Well regarded for its ability to service its prestigious client base in South Africa and throughout the continent, with clients derived from industry sectors such as healthcare, consumer goods and financial services. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Distinguished practice with renowned proficiency
Distinguished practice with renowned proficiency across a heterogeneous variety of IP-related commercial concerns. – Chambers and Partners, 2021
Kay Rickelman, the “godmother of trademark law in Africa”
Kay Rickelman, the “godmother of trademark law in Africa”, whose approach demonstrates “an understanding of business concerns, while also being able to dip into her arsenal of skills to clear prosecution hurdles and win disputes.” – WTR1000, 2021
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