Spoor & Fisher’s Tshepo Shabangu

SPOOR & FISHER’S TSHEPO SHABANGU CROWNED LEGAL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Tshepo Shabangu, Partner at intellectual property specialist law firm Spoor & Fisher, has been crowned the Law Professional of the Year for the 2019/2020 period. The accolade was granted by the SA Professional Services Awards sponsored by Sanlam and W. Consulting.

Ms Shabangu is a qualified attorney, trademark practitioner and notary public. She specializes in local and international selection, clearance and registration of trademarks, due diligence investigations and Intellectual Property (“IP”) portfolio management.

She is a partner and immediate past chairperson of the century old boutique IP firm, Spoor & Fisher. She is the past president of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) and sat on the Council of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP), the regional body regulating attorneys in South Africa. “We noted her contribution to the profession as the past president of SAIIPL and sitting on the Council of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP), the regional body regulating attorneys in South Africa,” the judges remarked. “She is an outstanding example for women in the legal profession having been recognised internationally by WIPR in their inaugural listing of influential women in IP. Her leadership philosophy is collaborative yet bold and sensible, ‘to respectfully listen to dissenting views, and in certain instances, have the courage to stand alone on some issues’”

“Heartfelt thanks to my heavenly father Jehovah God. I applaud SAPSA for creating this platform for professionals from various sectors to be recognised,” Shabangu said in her acceptance speech. “I would like to thank my parents who nurtured me. I cannot forget my husband, children and sisters and much gratitude to my firm Spoor & Fisher for creating an environment of excellence.”

Shabangu went on to acknowledge the Law Society of South Africa and the International Bar Association for the role they played in augmenting her knowledge. She further thanked her colleagues in the legal profession including the judiciary as well as those in business who continue to act as her advisors.