We are thrilled to announce that ENSafrica's IP team and its members have been recognised in the 2021 edition of World Trademark Review 1000: The World's Leading Trademark Professionals ("WTR 1000").

The WTR 1000, which is widely regarded as being the go-to resource for those seeking world-class legal trade mark expertise, ranked the following ENSafrica practitioners in the following categories:

Enforcement

  • Gaelyn Scott
  • Waldo Steyn

Prosecution and strategy

  • Manisha Bugwandeen-Doorasamy
  • Ilse du Plessis
  • Rowan Forster
  • Waldo Steyn

Transactions

  • André J Maré
  • Waldo Steyn

 

The guide had the following to say about the team:

  • ENSafrica is exceptionally efficient in dealing with vast and geographically diverse portfolios. The team gives sound commercial and realistic advice that is founded on deep research into clients' businesses and anticipates their future needs.
  • The firm is one you can entrust your most precious assets to.
  • One USP is its cosmopolitan flavour: its 600 practitioners across seven African jurisdictions speak many languages, facilitating easy communication.
  • Gaelyn [Scott] is efficient, responsive and hugely knowledgeable regarding South African trademark law. She is an excellent relationship partner who ensures that matters are quickly addressed and resolved.
  • Manisha [Bugwandeen-Doorasamy] takes timely action to support dynamic brands as they expand their trademark portfolios and evolve into new business areas.
  • [Rowan Forster is] extremely proactive and commercially astute.
  • [Ilse du Plessis is] Exceptionally consistent in her delivery of a high-calibre professional service.
  • IP commercialisation is the metier of [André J] Maré, whose workload encompasses significant projects and deals in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia.
  • Delene [Bertasso's] warm, open-minded and sensitive approach brings positive results time and again, but she isn't found wanting when a more aggressive approach is required. She is meticulous in her execution, while making complex issues easy to understand.

In addition, the team was described by the recently released prestigious 2021 Chambers Global Guide as being an "Established player in the sector, valued for its longstanding expertise in handling a range of IP concerns for an enviable portfolio of domestic and international companies. Notable cross-border capabilities, particularly in Africa, supported by its network of continental offices." Chambers also once again recognised Gaelyn Scott, ENSafrica's head of IP and a specialist litigator, as a Band 1 IP lawyer. In the guide, clients described her as being "on top of her game and super sharp" and "Her technical knowledge is exceptional, she is very practical and she looks for cost-effective solutions."

Thank you to our clients for their continued loyalty and whose valuable feedback has made this accomplishment possible.