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A New Era for Adams & Adams

In 2024, Adams & Adams launched a refreshed brand identity, reflecting the firm’s evolution, and embodying its commitment to fostering enterprise in Africa.

Rebranding can be a costly and time-consuming exercise, but it offers an opportunity to redefine who we are, what we stand for, and where we are headed as a firm, which is critical for our growth within a dynamic and competitive environment.

While we are internationally recognised for our excellence in IP services, we realised that our future success involves incorporating and expanding on a wider offering of legal services. We wanted to acknowledge that we represent diverse clients, ranging from the world’s largest enterprises to small and medium-sized companies and individuals. We are consistently ranked as a top-tier law firm and our attorneys are recognised as leaders in their fields with many serving on local and international boards and committees. In addition, we aim to inspire our people while continuing to drive innovation and favourable outcomes.

Importantly, our African footprint is central to our positioning and our strategy as a firm. Since our establishment in 1908, we now have offices in four major cities in South Africa and another 23 associate offices in the rest of Africa.

Our rebranding brings all these elements of our identity and goals together. It signifies a modernisation of the firm’s image and our growth as a proudly African firm while showcasing our deep-rooted commitment to our clients’ prosperity, and our own enterprising approach, both now and in the future. This is encapsulated in our updated logo and tagline, ‘Realise African Enterprise’.

Thank you for joining us in this new era of A&A.

Where Are They Now?

What are some of the skills or experiences you gained during your time at Adams & Adams that have helped you in your current position?

I think what stands out most is how the legal profession challenges you from multiple angles. You are constantly grappling with complex, non-linear problems and are expected to find the best possible solutions for your clients. That environment sharpens your problem-solving abilities.

A legal background also equips you with highly transferable skills. Whether it’s analytical thinking, adaptability, or the ability to communicate clearly under pressure, these are assets in any field. And then there’s the people side – being responsive, empathetic, and client-focused. Those are qualities I take pride in and continue to carry forward.

Is there a particular case or project from your time at Adams & Adams that left an impact on you?

One of the first cases I worked on was a Google AdWords dispute, which had a classic David versus Goliath feel. We were defending the company that had been bidding on the incumbent’s keywords.

Fast forward a few years, and I found myself dealing with a very similar situation, except this time, it was our own business on the receiving end. A major competitor wasn’t just bidding on our keywords but running misleading ads that embedded our trade mark directly into the ad copy.

We managed to resolve it reasonably amicably, but what made it memorable was that Darren Olivier, partner at Adams & Adams, reviewed my response letter, and emboldened us to take them on with a bit of fire in our belly. It felt like a full-circle moment and it was great knowing that if things escalated beyond an exchange of letters that Darren and Lita Miti-Qamata would have been in my corner all the way.

How did Adams & Adams support you in taking the next step in your career as an entrepreneur?

Many members of the Adams & Adams family have supported us. We often deliver to the firm’s head office, and I regularly see familiar names among the senders and recipients’ names. Beyond that, the encouragement and check-ins from former colleagues have meant a lot. It’s clear that even after leaving Adams & Adams, you are still seen as part of the community, which I’ve truly appreciated.

What have been some professional achievements since leaving Adams & Adams?

Writing has always been a passion of mine. I started taking it seriously while expecting our son, almost three years ago, and enrolled in a writing course and joined a writing community. That led to co-authoring a book with performance coach Tom Dawson-Squibb, a high-performance coach who’s worked with sports teams such as the Stormers and Proteas. It’s a leadership book that tells a story about building a team that is more than just the sum of its parts. The book has sold over 1 500 copies and opened exciting doors for both me and Tom. It’s a fulfilling, ongoing creative outlet that I hope to keep building on each year.

Lastly, any advice you’d like to share with Adams & Adams employees or recent graduates?

Adams & Adams is a supportive environment where doing your best in your role and connecting beyond your immediate team really matter. Make the most of those relationships and experiences as they will stay with you, even beyond your time at the firm.

Reaching New Heights at A&A

Nnyana Mathopo

We are incredibly proud of Nnyana Mathopo for her recent results in the attorney’s board exams.

Nnyana’s journey with the firm began in 2012 when she completed our Secretarial Training School. She then joined the Africa IP department in 2013 and pursued her LLB, all while balancing her professional commitments. She is the first graduate from our Secretarial Training School to qualify as an attorney – an inspiring achievement!

Learn more about Nnyana’s incredible story:

Climbing the Ladder

Mtho Maphumulo

Congratulations to Mtho Maphumulo who was recently promoted to partner in our Insurance and Financial Sector Laws practice.

Upon completion of his LLB degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mtho began his career at Adams & Adams in 2016, as a candidate attorney. Since then, he has represented and advised internationally renowned insurance companies, insurance underwriters, intermediary firms, corporate institutions, and individual clients in insurance, regulatory and other financial services-related matters. Additionally, he is a frequent speaker and commentator on legal issues on insurance and financial sector laws.

In his new role, Mtho will continue to make a positive contribution to the firm’s growth in Dispute Resolution and build on the milestones achieved in the insurance department.

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