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Key contacts
Business Unit Head: Trade Mark Prosecution: Steven Yeates
Business Unit Head: Patents: Danie Dohmen
Business Unit Head: Trade Marks Litigation: Nishan Singh
Firm Chairperson: Jac Marais
Quick facts
Established

1908

Number of Partners

62

Number of IP Practitioners

56

Languages

English, Afrikaans, Zulu, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, siSwati, Dutch, Venda, Xhosa, Sotho, Chinese

Network Memberships

South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) Board of International Trademark Association (INTA) Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA) Franchise Association of South Africa Licensing Executives Society International The Gauteng Attorneys’ Association (GAA) The Pretoria Attorneys’ Association (PAA) International Association of Privacy Professionals Administrative Justice Association of South Africa Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP)

Key practice areas
Life sciences IP
Copyright & related rights
Intellectual property
ITC litigation
Patent disputes
Patent litigation
Patent strategy & counseling
Trade mark disputes
Trade mark strategy & counseling
Trade mark litigation
Trade mark
Patent
Patent prosecution
Trade mark prosecution
Patent office proceedings
IP transactions
Trade mark office proceedings
IP transactions
Firm overview

Adams & Adams is a leading African law firm that provides intellectual property (IP), commercial law, real estate and dispute resolution advice and support, tailored to clients’ specific needs.
The firm is locally and internationally recognised for its work in South Africa and across the African continent and prides itself on its valuable client relationships and expertise of more than 100 skilled attorneys.

As the largest IP law firm in Africa, Adams & Adams works with clients across industries to protect, enforce and commercialise all forms of IP on the continent. With offices in four major cities in South Africa and another 23 associate offices in the rest of Africa, the firm serves as a gateway into Africa for IP clients, providing support in all jurisdictions on the continent and surrounding islands. Its IP service offering is complemented by a full spectrum of transactional and dispute resolution services offered by its multi-disciplinary commercial law, real estate and dispute resolution practice.

Through the firm’s extensive African network, it can assist its clients to expand into Africa by facilitating the establishment of effective business structures. Adams & Adams leverages its geographic footprint and depth of expertise in a unique manner. Through its strong network of associate offices, it reduces complexity, creates efficiencies, and provides economies of scale that enable it to offer expert services cost effectively.

This, in conjunction with its strong commitment to professionalism, driven by service excellence and partner accessibility, sets it apart from any other law firm on the continent.

ESG and diversity achievements

Adams & Adams is committed to being a responsible business both in the way that it is managed internally and in how we deliver client service; delivering a positive impact for our colleagues, clients, the profession, the environment and our local community.

This is underpinned by the firm’s culture and values of teamwork and respect, integrity and fairness, understanding and commitment, which is held core to everything that we do.

We take our corporate responsibility seriously and strongly believe in behaving in a socially responsible manner and giving something back to our people and our local communities where possible, and by helping to reduce the environmental impact of the firm’s operations.

We are proud to be a platinum sponsor of the King IV Report, a corporate governance code that sets out the philosophy, principles, practices and outcomes which serve as the benchmark for good corporate governance in South Africa – a lodestar to improving the impact that business can have in society.

The firm’s social responsibility programme is driven by its people and overseen by the Socio-Economic Development committee which meets regularly, putting issues of corporate social responsibility at the heart of the discussion internally.

Our responsible business programme broadly covers the following areas:

  • Career Advancement & Pro Bono
  • Children & Youth Welfare
  • Skills transfer and Development
  • Environment & Procurement
  • Adams & Adams is the 2018 winner of the ManagingIP Global Award for Corporate Social
  • Responsibility and Innovation in Africa.
Practice Areas & Sector Specialisations

Key IP Areas

Copyright & related rights, Designs, Intellectual property (contentious), Intellectual property (prosecution), IP transactions, Life sciences IP, Patent, Patent contentious, Patent prosecution, Trade mark, Trade mark contentious, Trade mark prosecution

Key Sector Expertise

Advertising, Agriculture, Arts, Automotive, Biotechnology, Chemical, Computer technology & services, Construction & materials, E-commerce, Electrical, Electronics, Fashion & luxury goods, Film, Financial services, FMCG, Food & beverage, Gaming, ICT & software, Industrials, Life sciences, Logistics, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Media, Medical device, Pharmaceutical, Real estate, Renewable energy, Universities & research, Tobacco, Telecommunication, Technology hardware

 

Address:
Lynnwood Bridge, 4
Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor,
Pretoria, South Africa, 0081
Tel:+27124326000 Fax:+27124326017 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://www.adams.africa/

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2026 Edition
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Patent prosecution
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Overview

Adams & Adams is best known as the large trademark and patent practice in South Africa. They have multiple teams focusing on different aspects of Africa. They offer strategic advice for every jurisdiction on the continent with 23 Associate Offices. The firm has four offices in South Africa in the major centres of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. They have 88 attorneys, including 55 partners 33 associates and several consultants specialising in IP. 

The firm services include the full spectrum availability and status searches, filing and prosecution of the trade mark, Design and patent applications in South Africa and throughout the continent of Africa, trade mark and copyright infringements, record of rights with Customs, anti-counterfeiting seizure operations, patent and design infringements, passing off, unlawful competition, trade mark cancellation and patent revocation, competition law, company, business name and domain name objections/complaint. 

 
Testimonials

2026

"Strong reputation for handling complex IP litigation."

"The advisory team provides exceptional technical understanding and commercial insight. Their ability to bridge scientific complexity with IP strategy stands out, and their guidance has been instrumental in shaping our global patent portfolio and protecting [our company's] proprietary technology."

"Substantial experience, always available, fast responses, provide cost effective alternative strategies and options."

"Responsiveness, depth of knowledge, both legal and technical, and competitive pricing for the excellent service provided.  The individuals I deal with are not only excellent and commercially astute, but are very personable making the day-to-day working relationship easy and enjoyable."

"They are a reliable and professional IP team, producing high-quality work and responding with commendable speed and efficiency."

"Our experience with the Adams & Adams IP litigation team has been consistently excellent. They are meticulous in their approach, ensuring that every factual and legal angle is examined thoroughly. Their reliability has been a particular strength—deadlines are always met, communication is clear and proactive, and their strategic guidance is consistently well‑considered."

"What sets the team apart is their exceptional depth of knowledge of trademark law across Africa. Their understanding of the nuances, regional variations, and procedural complexities within different national IP frameworks has been invaluable to us. This expertise allows them to navigate cross‑border issues with confidence and achieve strong outcomes even in challenging environments."

"Our experience with the Adams & Adams IP filing/prosecution and administration team has been extremely positive. They are highly organised and detail‑oriented, ensuring that applications are accurate, compliant, and strategically aligned with our broader IP objectives. Their ability to manage filings across numerous jurisdictions—each with its own procedures, timelines, and requirements—is a true strength, and they handle this complexity with exceptional efficiency."

"Their insights into local practices and administrative nuances allow them to anticipate issues before they arise and provide clear guidance at every stage of the process. This level of expertise has made our filing and prosecution work not only smoother, but significantly more predictable. The team is also highly reliable and responsive, consistently keeping us informed, tracking deadlines with precision, and ensuring that our portfolio remains well‑maintained and up‑to‑date. Their professionalism and steady communication give us complete confidence in the way our IP assets are handled."

"Their effective communication, efficiency and professionalism. They engage you as a client before filing, and keep you informed every step of the way."

"Adams and Adams are not transactional, they are customer-centric. They provide workshops and training to our researchers and students on IP. I also like the service they provide with regard to ongoing management of the IP portfolio, including tracking renewal deadlines, and documenting status reports. Moreover, the guidance they provide in terms of the territory where the patent should be filed is equally appreciated."

Darren Olivier

"Darren is strategic and thorough when counselling clients on court litigation and adept at managing cases/barrister in a professional manner. Darren provides clear, concise and commercial trade mark advice and his team is highly efficient. Darren is able to counsel clients as an external 'inhouse counsel'. His knowledge of law is deep but practical and he is able to help clients achieve their business goals."

Thapelo Mmotong

"Thapelo demonstrates exceptional command of international patent prosecution and portfolio management. His depth of legal and procedural knowledge — particularly regarding EPO, USPTO, and Unitary Patent filings — inspires confidence. He is consistently responsive, thorough, and proactive in anticipating deadlines and compliance risks."

Wilhelm Prozesky

"Client service, responsiveness, technical expertise and legal knowledge.  He is gregarious and engaging, a pleasure to work with."

Steven Yeats

"Steven is an excellent lawyer who provides sound, well-reasoned advice, communicates complex issues clearly, and is consistently available and responsive."

Kelly Thompson

"Kelly consistently demonstrates excellent responsiveness, ensuring that queries are addressed promptly and that we always feel supported, even when dealing with time‑sensitive or complex issues. Her commitment to keeping communication clear and timely has been invaluable."

Vishen Pillay

"There are several things that Vishen does well, but everything is anchored on his customer-centered approach."

 

2025

"Adams & Adams comfortably handles local and international patent filings in very complex areas. The team is also able to assist us with the licensing of patents.”

“Adams & Adams has a full range of patent legal services in a wide variety of technical fields, including our very focused and niche area. The firm also covers biotechnology, chemical engineering, chemistry and pharmaceuticals, and polymer technology. Very impressive!"

"Depth and breadth of expertise, number of attorneys capable of handling large corporate filing projects."

"Easy to communicate with, and a focus on business-oriented and cost-efficient advice."

"Good advice, experience with their solid work, and quick feedback."

"I like the fact that I can get hold of them easily on their mobiles. The team always conduct themselves in a professional manner. They are willing to come to our campus to assist with IP awareness workshops without charging us."

"I like their professionalism and availability, and ease of communication."

"Responsiveness, ease of working with them, very personable, professional and trusted."

"The Adams & Adams team has developed a deep understanding of our business and IP enforcement strategy over the years. This understanding, coupled with the extensive IP knowledge and experience of the team, makes Adams & Adams very dependable. The team is also extremely responsive and diligent when delivering their legal advice. They are a pleasure to work with."

"The team is experienced, accessible, and pragmatic."

"The team is very knowledgeable and responsive. I found the advice to not be overly theoretical—it was pragmatic and practical advice. I appreciated that very much."

"They are accessible, proactive, clear in their advice, strategic and are able to support our client in the most complex matters whilst still maintaining the human touch."

"Very engaging and they support clients throughout the patenting or trade mark application process."

"Very responsive, very pragmatic when it comes to advice sought."

"We needed a firm that could offer clear, strategic and proactive advice in a complex trade mark dispute."

Linked Reviews
Copyright & related rights

Case studies show that the firm represented the client, Vodafone Group relying on the provisions of the Copyright Act, to address both direct and indirect instances of copyright infringement and remove catalogues owned and hosted by the third party. 

Trade mark

Case studies show that the firm represented the client, a beverage major in cross-trade mark opposition and trademark cancellation litigation matter in the High Court of South Africa. 

Patent

Case studies show that the firm assisted client Nicoventures Trading with a large series of patent filings for aerosol devices, assemblies and systems. 

Esmé van Rooyen is a key practitioner to watch.  

 
 
20 results20 results
Kelly Thompson, chair of South African firm Adams & Adams, discusses self-belief, self-doubt, and the importance of saying yes
Alexis Apostolidis, Darren Olivier and Nicholas Rosslee of Adams & Adams report on the measures in South Africa and the impact on IP practice
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