Spoor & Fisher > Johannesburg, South Africa > Firm Profile

Diversity

At Spoor & Fisher, we promote the principle of equal opportunity and fair treatment through the elimination of unfair discrimination on any grounds.  We ensure that this principle is generally reflected in all of our policies, procedures and practices, as well as in the conduct of our employees. We aim to create an environment which accommodates diversity, a culture comfortable for all, where diversity is integrated into the mainstream of business life to ensure the attraction and retention of diverse talent. All differences, inclusive of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, language and physical ability, are respected and the rights of groups upheld in alignment with the philosophy and spirit of the Constitution of South Africa.

Our transformation agenda encompasses BBB-EE, transforming the firm to be representative of the demographics of South African society and promoting and implementing skills development measures to empower previously disadvantaged individuals. We aim to enhance and promote representation in respect of ownership, management and control of the firm by black legal practitioners. Finally, creating a culture that is all embracing, and that harnesses, values and nurtures diversity is key to our employee experience.

Our participation in the Signa learnership program has proved very successful over the years, through targeted skills development. Our commitment to youth development is further demonstrated with our participation in the YES for Youth program, aimed at creating quality work experiences for the youth in our country.

Spoor & Fisher takes corporate social responsibility (CSR) very seriously, with various ongoing initiatives to empower societies:

Spoor & Fisher Adult Education Centre:

There are currently many forward-looking educational solutions in South Africa helping young, born-free South Africans gain education and skills to enable them to live fulfilling lives. There are far fewer looking back, reaching out to help bridge a generational gap in education that left many people behind. Our school is open to anyone who is illiterate. The bulk of our learners have been domestic workers and gardeners who have been unable to find any other kind of work as a result of their illiteracy. Spoor & Fisher remains humbled and grateful that we can help disadvantaged South Africans live better lives. By financing the project from teachers’ salaries, learner’s books and stationery, to renting the premises, we are changing real lives every day.

eDeaf:

eDeaf is an organisation dedicated to empowering the deaf community through skills development training. In 2012, Spoor & Fisher entered into a partnership with the organisation. As part of its support, the firm provides eDeaf with office facilities. Spoor & Fisher employs several deaf individuals, and through partnering with eDeaf, these individuals have an opportunity to add value to our firm.

We have also contributed to CSR initiatives including clothing donation drives, food collection drives, the setting up libraries and building vegetable gardens. These initiatives bear testimony to the commitment of Spoor and Fisher to diversity and transformation, retaining our talent and ensuring that our staff continue to feel included, in an environment that fosters diversity and development.

Client testimonials

CLIENT: Stephane T.
COMPANY/FIRM: Elleve International Limited
TESTIMONIAL: As a fashion brand with a global strategy, Mr Reinard Kruger from Spoor & Fisher helped us achieve and exceed all our objectives. We found a partner that understands our needs and truly cares about the interest of their client. From our brand’s initial registration to successfully implementing a complex internationally coordinated defence strategy, Mr. Kruger guided us and helped us succeed with the utmost care and professionalism. Mr. Kruger from Spoor & Fisher is one of the best IP partners that we’ve worked with across the world.

CLIENT: Ms EG Joubert
COMPANY/FIRM: Cancer Association of South Africa
TESTIMONIAL: Spoor and Fisher has rendered their services to CANSA for more than 10 years. They assist CANSA with our Trademark portfolio. They render their professional services to CANSA on a pro bono basis, which is highly appreciated as CANSA is an NPO. We are most impressed with their level of professionalism. They are highly reliable and stand by their commitments irrespective of the fact that it is a pro bono service. We can highly recommend engagement to other potential clients who require their services.

CLIENT: Danie Matthee
COMPANY/FIRM: Adcock Ingram Healthcare (Pty) Ltd
TESTIMONIAL: Spoor & Fisher has been rendering Litigation Services to Adcock Ingram Healthcare (Pty) Ltd (“Adcock Ingram”) since approximately the year 2000 and Adcock Ingram hereby gives Spoor & Fisher an overall assessment of excellent for services rendered.

CLIENT: Braam Schoeman
COMPANY/FIRM: S. C. Johnson & Son South Africa
TESTIMONIAL: “We as S. C. Johnson & Son South Africa has been on a journey of more than 20 years with our legal partners Spoor & Fisher attorneys. What started off with the registering and protection of our intellectual property moved on to the combatting of counterfeit goods. We highly value their intuitive approach to all related legal matters always putting the client and their interests first.”

CLIENT: Siphokazi Cilibe
COMPANY/FIRM: Tiger Food Brands Intellectual Property Holding Company (Pty) Ltd
TESTIMONIAL: Tiger Brands’ relationship with Spoor & Fisher goes back to 1931 when the firm’s first trade mark application filing was our very own Jungle mark! Our relationship with the firm has grown from strength to strength and we continue to work together as colleagues, rather than law firm and client, in managing Tiger Brands’ extensive IPRs portfolio. We have a dedicated team at Spoor who have made it their mission to not only intimately know our brands (and their related IPRs) but to also have an in-depth knowledge of our business. The team’s depth of expertise and level of responsiveness is unmatched. They are an easy and fun team to work with, and are always willing and able to go the extra mile!