Dr. Joanne van Harmelen is a qualified attorney with over 15 years of experience in the legal profession. She specialises in patent filing and prosecution in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and chemicals sectors as well as advising clients on related regulatory and IP commercial matters. Joanne’s approach to advising clients is to consider holistically the commercial […]

Alexis Apostolidis is a partner in the patent litigation practice of Adams & Adams and heads the competition law department of the firm. He is well versed in all aspects of patent law and specialises in opinion work and patent litigation in the life sciences, agrochemical, petrochemical, IT and consumer goods sectors. He has successfully litigated on behalf of originator pharmaceutical companies, OEM German car manufacturers, banks and television content providers. Alexis’ practice also extends to litigation concerning design registrations, the commercialisation and licensing of IP and regulatory matters in the life sciences sector. He advises and represents clients in litigious work in a number of African countries.

James is a patent attorney with an electronic and computer background, and with a genuine interest in these things and all things technological. James works in the patent department, mainly assisting local clients in filing and prosecution patent and design applications in South Africa and indeed all over the world.

Thapelo is an admitted attorney as well as a registered patent attorney in the Johannesburg office of Adams & Adams. He has a BSc Eng (Metallurgy & Materials Engineering) degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a LLB from UNISA.

Nicky Garnett is the Head of the Africa Patents of the Patent Department, a position she has held since 2008. Nicky is originally from Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa in 2008.

Janice Galvad is a Partner in and the Chairperson of the Patent Department at Adams & Adams. She has been a Partner at the firm since 2004.

Johnny is a patent partner in the Johannesburg office of Adams & Adams. He has a BSc Eng (Electrical) from Wits University, and an LLB from UNISA.

Wynand Fourie is a partner in the firm’s patent department and holds an electronic engineering degree from the University of Pretoria together with a law degree.

Vishen has drafted and prosecuted patent and design applications on behalf of many South African Universities, Science Councils, US Fortune 500, and South African Top 100 companies.

Nthabisheng is a partner in the Africa Patent Department. She holds LLB and LLM (Mercantile Law) from the University of Pretoria. She was admitted as an attorney in 2005.