Website Spoor & Fisher
Highly Skilled. Widely Experienced. Deeply Committed. Spoor & Fisher’s practice area teams specialise in trade marks, patents, copyright, registered designs, anti-counterfeiting, domain names, plant breeders’ rights, utility models, start-up support, consumer and advertising matters, commercial… read more IP, IP audits and due diligence, and all related litigation. We are known for creating and implementing robust IP protection strategies across the African continent. To achieve this, we work hand-in-hand with corporate clients – from global companies to SMMEs – and we collaborate with legal advisors, agents, and inventors who have an interest in our core geographical regions, Africa and also the Caribbean. Our clients trust us to help them navigate a rapidly changing global IP landscape, while offering a uniquely personal experience that feeds off our firm’s rich cultural and social diversity.
Job Advert Summary
Spoor & Fisher is looking for a Trade Mark Secretary within the TM: Merit Team. The successful candidate will be based in the Centurion office, reporting to the Senior Associate heading up the practice. The ideal candidate should have a keen eye for detail and should be able to attend to general trade mark secretarial duties with a focus on litigation.
Minimum Requirements
Matric (essential).
Paralegal qualification or relevant tertiary qualification (advantageous).
Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a trade mark practice.
Strong understanding of trade mark prosecution and litigation procedures.
Experience with High Court or Tribunal filings (advantageous).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong prioritisation and deadline management skills.
Ability to manage a high-volume practice with minimal supervision.
Commercial awareness and professionalism in client interactions.
Ability to take instruction from multiple professionals and prioritise accordingly.
Ability to anticipate filing and reporting requirements.
Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), including formatting of legal documents.
A high degree of confidentiality and professional discretion.
Duties and Responsibilities
Litigation Support
Assisting with preparation and formatting of litigation documents, including:
Letters of demand
Undertakings
Settlement agreements
Company and close corporation name objections
Affidavits
Liaising with courts, sheriffs, and external service providers.
Opening, administering, and maintaining trade mark litigation files, managing diaries, and monitoring statutory deadlines.
Drafting and preparing correspondence to agents, clients, the Registrar of Trade Marks, and internal departments.
Ensuring strict compliance with court and statutory deadlines.
Trade Mark Prosecution
Preparing draft official action reports and compliance letters to the Registrar of Trade Marks.
Reporting to clients on the status of applications.
Instructing trade mark searches and preparing filing instructions for local and foreign applications.
Opening, administering, and maintaining trade mark files, managing diaries, and monitoring statutory deadlines.
Docketing and tracking deadlines for trade mark applications.
Drafting and preparing correspondence to agents, clients, the Registrar of Trade Marks, and internal departments.
Commercial Work and Portfolio Management
Preparing powers of attorney.
Compiling trade mark schedules and portfolio reports.
Preparing quotes.
Conducting online investigations.
Assisting with preparing of trade mark assignment agreements where required.
Managing change of name, address, and amendment instructions and procedures.
Systems, Financial, and Administrative Support
Accurate time recording and WIP management.
Processing invoices and credit notes, and following up on outstanding fees where required.
Updating internal accounting and general standing instructions.
Answering and directing telephone calls professionally.
Arranging meetings and managing calendars.
Providing general administrative support to the trade mark team.
Deadline:24th March,2026
go to method of application »
Apply via company website ( N / A ) or