Adams & Adams strengthens patent team with new appointments.

Adams & Adams is very pleased to announce two new appointments to their patent team, which will further enhance the firm’s highly regarded patent, design and Plant Breeder’s Rights(PBR) legal services. Dr Joanne van Harmelen will take on the position as a new partner, bringing her expertise as patent attorney in life sciences, chemical inventions and plant breeders’ rights, and Thomas Schmidt, who has a background in plant biotechnology and special interest in AI, will be joining as a senior associate.

“We are delighted to welcome Joanne and Thomas to Adams & Adams. Their combined experience in intellectual property law makes them both assets to the team. We look forward to their contribution to our patent practice and supporting our clients with their knowledge of patent and PBR drafting, filing, prosecution and commercialisation in the African IP landscape,” says Janice Galvad, partner and chairperson of the patent department at Adams & Adams.

Joanne was admitted as a South African patent attorney in 2009 and holds a PhD in Medical Microbiology and Vaccine Development from the University of Cape Town and an LLB degree from UNISA. She has been consistently recognised for her exceptional work by several international publications including, Legal 500, Best Lawyers®, Managing IP, IAM Patent 1000 and IAM Global Leaders.

“I am very excited about joining Adams & Adams. Working with such a distinguished team is a fantastic opportunity in which I can bring my own IP experience to help maintain and build on the impressive Adams & Adams patent practice and add value to clients, colleagues and the firm,” says Joanne.

Thomas graduated with an MSc in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Pretoria before pursuing a law degree from UNISA. He has over nine years’ experience in IP law and practice, with numerous published articles on the field, as well as participating as a guest lecturer at South African universities.

“Joining a firm that offers a high calibre in patent legal services is a career-changing opportunity. I look forward to working with the team, bringing my own knowledge and expertise while adding to my experience in IP law and practice,” says Thomas.

Adams & Adams provides clients with a full range of patent, design and PBR legal services in South Africa, throughout the rest of Africa and in all other foreign jurisdictions. These services include patent, design and PBR drafting, filing and prosecution; commercialisation and licensing advice; litigation; as well as search, recordal and renewal services. The firm’s patent services cover a wide variety of technical fields including life sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, plastics and polymer technology, computer technology and civil engineering.

For more information, please contact Janice Galvad (Janice.Galvad@adams.africa) or Pieter Visagie (Pieter.Visagie@adams.africa).