Current Opportunities at Adams & Adams

Duties and responsibilities

• Prepare trade mark recordal and renewal applications together with certificates and notices for lodging with the various registries
• Create new trade mark records as well as update existing records on Patricia/Netdocs
• Type correspondence in response to the Registrar’s queries or official actions
• File South African and foreign recordal and renewal applications
• Capturing of history on computer records
• Communicate regularly with the Search Clerks and other individuals at the Trade Mark Office
• Attend to accounting matters (re: queries) and chase up outstanding accounts with clients
• Capture invoices and credit notes
• Manage monthly WIP and outstanding debtors accounts
• Create and print trade mark listings
• Open files and attend to correspondence
• Prepare worldwide quotes and responses to general queries
• Answer telephone calls
• Diarise files and handle routine correspondence
• Deal with urgent matters promptly and efficiently and ensure that all urgent tasks are completed timeously

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• Computer Literacy
• Typing speed of 50 - 60 wpm with excellent dictation skills
• Fully conversant in English
• Excellent telephone etiquette
• Ability to deal with files independently
• Ability to handle volumes, work under pressure and to use initiative
• Ability to prioritise and work meticulously
• Ability to handle information related to the department with confidentiality
• Good administrative skills

Qualification and Experience

• Matric/ National Diploma or equivalent qualification
• Secretarial Diploma/Certificate (preferably legal)
• More than 5 years relevant experience as a secretary

go to method of application »

Duties and responsibilities

• Preparing and drafting of correspondence to clients and colleagues
• Coordinating trade marks clearance projects, conducting searches and international screening searches
• Preparing and filing trade mark applications, including electronic filings with follow through to registration and post-registration, maintenance and renewals
• Coordinating with foreign counsel on international clearance matters, filings, maintenance and renewal matters
• Providing opinions and quotes on the registrability of trade marks in various territories
• Effect portfolio transfers and manage large client portfolios
• Prepare and file Powers of Attorney and letters of instruction
• Researching law and drafting opinions
• Dealing with a variety of IP related litigation matters, including matters relating to trade mark infringement, cancellation and opposition, name objections and domain name disputes
• Dealing with enquiries and advising clients in relation to copyright queries and dealing with litigation relating to copyright disputes
• Dealing with regulatory queries relating to advertising and labelling

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• Computer literate in Microsoft Word
• Excellent language skills (good command of English, both written and verbal)
• Must understand the debiting procedures
• A meticulous, responsible person with a sense of urgency, who is able to prioritise duties
• Attention to detail is essential
• A conscientious, loyal and dedicated person, with the ability to think laterally
• Someone with a professional attitude
• Ability to give clear instructions to a secretary
• Prepared to work long hours where necessary
• Ability to work independently and under supervision
• Ability to handle the pressure of having to cope with large workload
• Knowledge of relevant Acts – e.g. Trade Marks Act, would be an advantage.
• Willingness to learn.

 Qualification/s

• An admitted attorney with at least 2 years PQE
• Must have experience in a private legal practice
• Trade Marks experience (litigation and prosecution)
• LLB degree is a requirement
• Post-graduate degrees such as LLM will be an added advantage
• Must have excellent academic credentials
• Experience in litigation (High Court) is essential
• Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner or busy with SAIIPL exams
• Experience working in an IP firm (Intellectual Property) will be highly advantageous

go to method of application »

Duties and responsibilities

• Monitor section’s inbox and distribute new cases and correspondence
• Initiate workflows
• Fast track urgent cases
• Check portals
• Attend to P56 (account change) approvals
• Handle general queries
• Prepare urgent and/or substantive correspondence
• Check 3rd diary correspondence
• 2nd diary – diarise, prepare and send reminders and/or correspondence when necessary
• Check English translations (ET) before filing and prepare paragraphs re ET, where necessary, and further correspondence regarding the issues with the ET
• Diarise English translations, including Art 19 and/or 34 amendments and prepare and send emails regarding Art 19/34 amendments and reminders
• Check that English translations are correctly and timeously filed
• Close files
• Open and prepare new national phase cases
• Open and prepare designs
• Open and prepare divisionals
• Open and prepare convention & non-convention cases
• Prepare cost estimates
• Check routine correspondence and invoices

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• High level of initiative and being pro-active in the practice
• Ability to prioritise and deal with urgent matters promptly and efficiently
• Solid understanding of relevant legislation, systems and processes
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and to use initiative and meet deadlines
• Good administrative skills
• Must be flexible regarding time
• Excellent communication skills
• Computer literate 

 Qualification/s

• LLB degree
• Experience working on Patricia and CMS will be advantageous

go to method of application »

Duties and responsibilities

• Performing routine legal functions under supervision of a qualified legal professional 
• Displaying a high level of initiative and being pro-active in practice
• Assisting with practice administration, i.e. billing, enquiries, fee collections, etc
• Creation of new, updating and maintaining of Trade Mark records and portfolios on Patricia
• Drafting of Trade Mark documentation including forms
• Typing general correspondence
• Preparing quotes for the filing of new Trade Mark applications
• Attending to accounting matters (re: WIP lists and Debtors)
• Typing of invoices and credit notes (including up loadable-bills)
• Preparing, drawing and/or formatting of Trade Mark listings for agents or proprietors
• Opening files
• Drawing diary files and drafting routine diary correspondence
• Faxing, filing, photo copying and general office duties
• Sending and receiving e-mails
• Checking and monitoring Standing Instructions
• Faxing, filing, photo copying and general office duties
• Sending and receiving e-mails
• Answering telephone calls
• Handling routine correspondence and diarising files

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• A meticulous person who pays attention to detail
• Good command of the English language
• Computer literate
• Typing speed of 60 wpm
• Ability to do Dictaphone typing
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work under pressure and to use initiative
• Must have a sense of urgency and ability to prioritise work
• Ability to work in a team – sharing of responsibilities and regular work discussions, receiving, and giving guidance
• Ability to deal with several matters at once – must be able to cope with interruptions
• In-depth knowledge of Patricia (database) and CMS (accounting programme

 Qualification/s

• Matric
• tertiary qualification
• Secretarial Diploma (an advantage)
• More than 5 years relevant experience as a Paralegal

go to method of application »

Duties and responsibilities

• Creation of new Trade Mark records on Patricia and opening of file covers
• Preparing Trade Mark forms, certificates, acceptance notices and Powers of Attorney for lodging with the Registrar
• Attending to legalization of Powers of Attorney
• Typing correspondence in response to the Registrar’s queries or official actions
• Filing South African and foreign applications
• Capturing of history on computer records
• Communicating with search clerks at the Trade Marks Office
• Entering searches onto system and typing of search correspondence
• Attending to accounting matters (re: suspense items and open item listing)
• Typing of invoices and credit notes (including up loadable-bills)
• Creating and printing trade mark listings and portfolio reports
• Opening files and dictation typing
• Faxing, filing, photo copying and general office duties
• Sending and receiving e-mails
• Typing of minutes of meetings and Checking and monitoring Standing Instructions
• Answering telephone calls and screening calls
• Handling routine correspondences
• Arranging meetings and appointments
• Diarising files and Drawing diaries
• General typing of correspondence as required from time to time
• Preparation of quotes for clients
• Any duties as may reasonably be expected from a secretary in relation to the relevant practice

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• Computer literate in Word, Excel
• Computer literacy in Patricia will be an advantage
• Typing speed of 65+ wpm and excellent dictation skills
• Fully conversant in English (speak and read)
• Ability to work independently, to work under pressure and to use initiative
• Ability to prioritize
• Ability to handle information related to the department with confidentiality
• Good organizational skills
• A meticulous person with attention to detail
• A person with a moderate temperament who are able to deal with the daily demands
• In-depth knowledge of Patricia and CMS will be an advantage

 Qualification/s

• Matric/ National Diploma or equivalent qualification
• Secretarial Diploma/Certificate (preferably legal)
• 2+ yrs relevant experience as a secretary
• Experience in dealing with trade mark matters in African countries and commercial IP matters would advantageous

go to method of application »

Description

The Head of IT Operation's role is to ensure the streamlined operation of the IT Operations Department in alignment with the technology objectives of the firm. This individual will plan, coordinate, direct, and design IT-related activities, as well as provide administrative direction and support for daily operational activities of the IT Department. The Head of IT Operations will work closely with decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the firm. This person will also supervise and ensure the efficient operation of the firm’s network, servers, databases, equipment, and technical support functions. This includes managing the IT staff responsible for monitoring and diagnosing network and hardware services, managing the firm’s information security systems and processes, and managing the firm’s Helpdesk and Technical Support teams. 
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead IT Operations Department operational and strategic planning, including fostering innovation, planning projects, and organising and negotiating the allocation of resources.
• Work with stakeholders to define business and system requirements for new technology implementation.
• Oversee all reports and documentation related to network, systems operations, security, and support.
• Manage, maintain and monitor all on premise and cloud infrastructure.
• Manage outsource service providers against contractual and SLA agreements.
• Analyse existing operations and make recommendations for the improvement and growth of the network and security infrastructure, technical support, Service Desk, and IT systems.
• Practice asset management for IT hardware, software, and equipment.
• Manage operations staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, and evaluation.
• Design and implement short- and long-term strategic plans to ensure infrastructure capacity meets existing and future requirements.
• Participate in the development of IT strategies in collaboration with the CIO.
• Conduct feasibility studies for various upgrade projects, improvements, and other conversions.
• Maintain the firm’s security architecture design.
• Create and maintain the firm’s security documents.
• Maintain and test the firm’s BCP and DR plan.
• Ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data residing on or transmitted to/from/through workstations, servers, and other systems and in databases and other data repositories.
• Ensure the enforcement of the firm’s security policies.
• Supervise the design and execution of vulnerability assessments, penetration tests and security audits.
• Manages the design and development of the Continual Service Improvement program.

Requirements

Skills and Knowledge: 

• 10 years’ experience managing and delivering infrastructure design and operational excellence.
• 5 years’ experience managing and delivering information security systems and processes.
• 5 years’ experience in managing teams of infrastructure and security specialists.
• Basic financial skills including budgeting, calculating ROI’s and following sound financial practices.
• Broad technical knowledge of current trends in network, security and cloud infrastructure. 
• Strong technical knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and standards.
• Extensive application support experience.
• Proven experience in IT infrastructure planning and development.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Strong understanding of project management principles.
• Extensive experience in enterprise security architecture design.
• Experience in developing Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans.
• Hands-on experience in troubleshooting technical problems.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to conduct research into IT security issues and products as required.

Personal Attributes:

• Can conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Reacts to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently.
• Flexible during times of change.
• Ability to read communication styles of team members and contractors who come from a broad spectrum of disciplines.
• Persuasive, encouraging, and motivating.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources.
• Ability to defuse tension among project team, should it arise.
• Ability to bring projects to successful completion in time and on budget.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Adept at conducting research into project-related issues and products.
• Must be able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies.
• Customer service skills an asset
• Ability to effectively prioritise and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment is crucial.

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Up to date industry recognized certifications in any one or more of the following disciplines:

• Microsoft
• Networking
• Information Security
• Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google)
• Governance, Risk and Compliance
• Storage