Bowman Gilfillan and Adams & Adams have agreed in principle to merge Bowman Gilfillan's intellectual property law practice with Adams & Adams on 1 March 2012. The merger will enhance the position of Adams & Adams as the largest intellectual property law firm in Africa.
Adams & Adams is a leading South African law firm specialising in intellectual property (IP) law. Since its founding days 104 years ago, it has grown into a multi-award-winning South African law firm with the largest intellectual property law practice - with an ever-expanding African presence throughout Africa.
Dario Tanziani, Chairman of Adams & Adams, said: "We see great opportunities and synergies to be gained from the merger of the two intellectual property practices. We are excited about the outstanding intellectual property practitioners joining us from a top law firm such as Bowman Gilfillan and bringing with them a blue chip (IP) client base. The consolidation of the two practices into Adams & Adams will provide IP clients of both firms with unrivalled collective capacity, experience and expertise.
A multifaceted benefit
"I believe the joint experience and capabilities of the new offering to clients will have a multifaceted benefit for not only the firms and our clients, but will also provide a launch pad for the training and mentorship of legal practitioners and law graduates in this specialised field of law, and in furthering transformation in the country in this niche area of practice."
Bowman Gilfillan's chairman, Jonathan Schlosberg, said: "In line with Bowman Gilfillan's vision to be the leading corporate and commercial law firm on the African continent, we regularly review our business strategy to ensure that we are appropriately positioned and structured to take advantage of opportunities and to grow our business in our chosen markets.
"When Adams & Adams approached us last year we concluded that, in the context of our own strategic investment priorities for the future, the merger makes sense for our clients, our partners and our staff as it affords them the opportunity to be part of a leading firm in this specialised area and we believe this will add significant value to all stakeholders. "
According to Schlosberg, it also allows Bowman Gilfillan to focus on its core business of providing high-end corporate and commercial legal services to their corporate and institutional clients.
