We’ve been in Africa for over 100 years and have the expertise to handle the challenges and intricacies associated with protecting, enforcing, commercialising and managing the intellectual property of our clients, throughout Africa.

We are so proud to have been recognised in 2021 as a leading provider of intellectual property legal services.  Here is our 2021 in review:

Spoor & Fisher receives top ranking in Chambers Global Guide 2021

Spoor & Fisher was ranked, once again, as one of South Africa’s Band 1 firms for 2021, in the Intellectual Property in South Africa Legal Rankings, according to Chambers & Partners. The Chambers Global Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms in over 200 jurisdictions across the world.

The Intellectual Property rankings have been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in the rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers.

The Chambers & Partners 2021 review refers to Spoor & Fisher as a “distinguished practice with renowned proficiency across a heterogeneous variety of IP-related commercial concerns. 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.”

Spoor & Fisher is described by Chambers & Partners as demonstrating 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, the firm is noted for its expertise in anti-counterfeiting.

According to Chambers & Partners clients endorse these viewpoints, reporting that they describe the firm as providing “excellent service,” and saying that “They know our portfolio extremely well and have it all memorised. The service is always on time and they are always giving extra help.”

Spoor & Fisher was once again been recognised as one of South Africa’s top Intellectual Property firms in 2022.

Spoor & Fisher is MIP Africa Firm of the Year for the 4th year running

For the fourth year running, Spoor & Fisher won the Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) Africa Firm of the Year Award at the annual EMEA awards ceremony held online on 30 March 2021.

In addition to the prestigious Regional Award, Spoor & Fisher also secured the new South African Patent Firm of the Year Award.

Now in its 16th year, the MIP Global Awards recognise the firms and individuals behind the most innovative and challenging IP work, as well as those driving the international IP market.

Spoor & Fisher retains Top Tier status in latest Legal 500 rankings

Spoor & Fisher was once again recognised as a Tier 1 firm in the annual Legal 500 rankings.
Lauded for the depth and breadth of their reach, experience and insights across the African continent Spoor & Fisher remain committed to assisting their clients in protecting, managing and enforcing their intellectual property rights across the continent.

Special mention was made of our notable edge in the patent biotech segment, as well as our significant multi-jurisdictional litigious matters, leadership in domain name disputes, online brand enforcement and anti-counterfeiting.

This accolade is based on feedback received from over 300,000 in-house peers.

‘Spoor & Fisher’s depth of knowledge in Africa is unparalleled. They have worked hard to build relationships at every level in key territories that helps their clients achieve their goals.’ – Legal 500, 2021

Spoor & Fisher IP specialists among WIPR Leaders in 2021

Five of Spoor & Fisher’s intellectual property law specialists were listed as leading practitioners in their field by the World IP Review for 2021. 

WIPR Leaders is a publication published by World IP Review offering a comprehensive guide to top IP law practitioners across the globe. In compiling the listings, the research team consults some 12 000 IP professionals worldwide, with nominees then being vetted in terms of their practice history, industry expertise, notable cases and where applicable, any additional activities such as writing and teaching. Commercial considerations played no part in determining the outcome.

Tyron Grant wins two Global Law Experts Awards for 2021

Tyron Grant, Partner at Spoor & Fisher, was ‘IP Lawyer of the Year in South Africa’ and ‘Patents Lawyer of the Year in South Africa’ for 2021.

This twin recognition, bestowed by the Global Law Experts Annual Awards, celebrates excellence, innovation and performance across legal communities worldwide.

Designed to reward those most deserving in a very challenging environment, the Awards provide a comprehensive analysis of the industry and a complete run-through of the best of the best industry experts. They are based on external nominations from an extensive base of Global Law Experts.

Global Law Experts (GLE) prides itself as the only organisation to recommend just one legal expert in each key practice area and country.

MIP Recognises Spoor & Fisher’s IP Stars 2021

Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) announced its 2021 IP Stars  for Trade Marks and Patents, and 15 attorneys of Spoor & Fisher were internationally recognised in the global category. The IP Stars are senior practitioners who have been recommended or identified as leaders in their firm and/or jurisdiction.

Megan Reimers listed in MIP Top 250 Women 2021 rankings

Partner and trade mark attorney, Megan Reimers,  was named in Managing Intellectual Property’s (MIP’s) latest Top 250 Women in IP list for 2021.

This is the third year running that Megan Reimers has made this prestigious list.

The Top 250 Women in IP are selected from MIP’s IP Stars list, which is a specialist guide to IP firms and practitioners. Top 250 Women in IP list was launched in 2013 and recognises leading female IP practitioners in private practice who have demonstrated exceptional performance over the past year. The selection process also factors in practitioners’ involvement in the IP community as well as corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Spoor & Fisher one up on prior recognition in IAM Patent 1000 rankings

Spoor & Fisher once again achieved the accolade of Gold Band firm in the 2021 edition of the IAM Patent 1000 Guide, with 10 of the firm’s partners recognised by name for their world-class, private practice patent expertise.

Described as offering “a wall-to-wall patent service throughout Africa and further afield, through a fine-spun web of offices and alliances”, Spoor & Fisher is singled out this year for continually “investing in technology to pursue greater efficiencies” and for a “cross-practice technology team” that deftly pilots new tools and systems.

Tertia Beharie named a WIPR Influential Woman in IP for 2021

Tertia Beharie, Spoor & Fisher partner and leading patent attorney, was recognised in the World IP Review’s “Influential Women in IP” project.

This accolade places her in the midst of “80 women who have built some of the most successful careers in IP, and 20 women who, with fewer than 10 years of practice, are making waves in the industry”, says WIPR.

The “Influential Women in IP” project further seeks to highlight the development of and considerable
progress made by female IP experts, when it comes to creating, protecting, and securing intellectual property.

11 from Spoor & Fisher listed in Who’s Who Legal ‘IP 2021’

The Who’s Who Legal ‘IP 2021’ featured nine trade mark practitioners and two patent attorneys from Spoor & Fisher – including consultants Dr Owen Dean and Louis van Wyk – and Spoor & Fisher is once again honoured to be acknowledged by an international publication that is so highly regarded for its integrity and credibility.

WWL: Trademarks recognises leading global trade mark lawyers for their expertise across the field, including prosecution, enforcement, portfolio management and dispute resolution, while WWL: Patents highlights the foremost global patent lawyers known for excellence in both contentious and transactional matters.