How do I become an intellectual property lawyer in South Africa?

Asked by: Hosea Dickens  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (5 votes)

To practice as a patent attorney in South Africa you must:
  1. Complete a technical or scientific degree or diploma or equivalent alternative qualification.
  2. Obtain a law degree (LLB) from a prescribed South African University.
  3. Pass the statutory examinations set by the South African Patent Examination Board.

How do I become an intellectual property lawyer?

How To Become an Intellectual Property Lawyer?
  1. Take any stream in 10+2. Candidate with any stream in plus two level is eligible for taking law at undergraduate level. ...
  2. Take Integrated BA/BBA/BSc/BCom LLB. ...
  3. Take LLM with Intellectual Property Law Specialisation. ...
  4. Take MPhil/ PhD.

How much do intellectual property lawyers make in South Africa?

The average pay for a Patent Attorney is ZAR 1,579,735 a year and ZAR 759 an hour in Johannesburg, South Africa. The average salary range for a Patent Attorney is between ZAR 1,089,264 and ZAR 1,996,985. On average, a Doctorate Degree is the highest level of education for a Patent Attorney.

Are intellectual property lawyers in demand in South Africa?

Are intellectual property lawyers in demand? There is a demand for IP lawyers all over the country, including the pretoria area. In addition, areas with high concentrations of technically advanced companies, such as western cape in cape town , also tend to have a high demand for IP lawyers.

Do IP lawyers go to court?

Litigation also plays a big part in the work intellectual property lawyers do because naturally, disputes will advise. Whether that's objecting to new trademark applications that may damage your branding or suing those who are copying your intellectual property.

Crafting intellectual property law for Africa

16 related questions found

How do I start a career in intellectual property?

How to build a Career in Intellectual Property Law
  1. Choose a specialisation in IP Laws. ...
  2. Enroll in IP laws specialised courses. ...
  3. Plan your internships in IP specialised Law Firms/Advocates. ...
  4. Element and Geographical Preference. ...
  5. Getting an IP job is easy because IP law is 'hot' ...
  6. It is multidisciplinary. ...
  7. Litigation.

How hard is IP law?

It's hard to over-emphasize the importance of intellectual property law, because it covers such a wide range of human effort and creativity. ... Developing intellectual property may take years of work and often involves a hefty financial investment. The result, if things go well, can often be worth big bucks.

Which law course is best in South Africa?

University of Cape Town (UCT)

QS World Rankings ranks UCT as the top university to study law in South Africa. The university is recognized for producing law graduates that are highly sought after both locally and internationally.

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?

Top earners include General Counsel (GC) and partners, both of which can expect to take home R5 million a year at the high-end of market. At the other end of the scale, candidate attorneys can expect to earn between R250,000 and R300,000 a year at top law firms.

How do I become a patent attorney in South Africa?

To practice as a patent attorney in South Africa you must:
  1. Complete a technical or scientific degree or diploma or equivalent alternative qualification.
  2. Obtain a law degree (LLB) from a prescribed South African University.
  3. Pass the statutory examinations set by the South African Patent Examination Board.

How much do Labour lawyers earn in South Africa?

R353,776 (ZAR)/yr.

How much do tax lawyers earn in South Africa?

R1,003,864 (ZAR)/yr.

How much do intellectual property lawyers make?

Salary Ranges for Intellectual Property Lawyers

The salaries of Intellectual Property Lawyers in the US range from $54,180 to $187,200 , with a median salary of $115,820 . The middle 50% of Intellectual Property Lawyers makes $102,750, with the top 83% making $187,200.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial attorneys: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.

Can you be an IP lawyer without a science background?

Basically, you can practice “soft IP” anywhere without a technical background. Just because you don't have a hard-science background, though, does not mean you are limited to copyright and trademarks. You can still litigate patent issues, draft licensing and technology transfer agreements, and work on patent policy.

What can I do with a LLB degree in South Africa?

Possible job titles related to law
  • Administrative lawyer.
  • Advocate.
  • Arbitrator.
  • Attorney.
  • Case manager.
  • Commercial rights manager.
  • Compliance officer.
  • Compliance specialist.

How much does a junior attorney earn in South Africa?

An entry-level Entry-Level Attorney with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R117,459 based on 43 salaries.

Are lawyers in demand in South Africa 2021?

Lawyers that are in the litigation sector are known to always be in high demand in South Africa. ... Therefore, lawyers that are experienced in areas like complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, insurance defense, labor and employment, and other related niches are always in high demand in the country.

What does LLB stand for?

The LLB is an abbreviation of the Latin 'Legum Baccalaureus' which translates to a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Can I study law at Unisa?

The College of Law provides comprehensive open distance learning in a socially responsible and distinctive manner that produces excellent scholarship and research, provides quality tuition and fosters active community engagement.

Is IP law in demand?

Yes, IP lawyers are very much sought-after. In fact, the demand has never been higher, as more and more businesses are dealing with protecting their intangible assets, ideas, and patents. A: Intellectual property law jobs are based on protecting intellectual property, be it a trademark, patent, copyright, or license.

What type of lawyer makes the most?

Types Of Lawyers That Make The Most Money
  • Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ...
  • Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ...
  • Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ...
  • Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

What does an IP lawyer do on a daily basis?

Intellectual property lawyers counsel their clients on establishing and protecting intellectual capital. Most IP law practices handle matters such as patents, copyright, trademark law, licensing, franchising, distribution, technology transfers, and trade secret projects.