Founded in 2020, STEYN IP is dedicated to uplift and support business owners and creatives who require specialist partners to guide and support them through their individual journeys and careers. Combining knowledge from intellectual property law practices, creative and manufacturing industries and regulatory offices, the team at STEYN IP has been involved in the creative and legal industries for over a decade. Our clients, large and small, in the South African commercial, corporate and creative fraternities remain our firm’s core focus.
Founded in 2020, STEYN IP is dedicated to uplift and support business owners and creatives who require specialist partners to guide and support them through their individual journeys and careers. Combining knowledge from intellectual property law practices, creative and manufacturing industries and regulatory offices, the team at STEYN IP has been involved in the creative and legal industries for over a decade. Our clients, large and small, in the South African commercial, corporate and creative fraternities remain our firm’s core focus.
Christiaan Steyn
Founder and Managing Director
Christiaan is the founder and managing director of STEYN IP. He also heads up the intellectual property department of the firm and is responsible for the oversight of the firm’s business functions, marketing and public relations initiatives. Christiaan is a practicing attorney with over 15 years’ experience in intellectual property, which includes employment at the National Trade Marks Office. He has a great passion for intellectual property law, especially in the creative sectors, and has specific expertise
and interest in trade marks, copyright and domain disputes.
Education:
– LLB
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
– South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
– World Independent Lawyers League (WILL)
– Intellectual Property and Innovation Researchers in Africa (IPIRA)
– International Trademark Association (INTA)
– ICANN Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC)
– Senior Domain Dispute Adjudicator and ADR Committee Member (SAIIPL)
Melissa Steyn
Non-Executive Director
Melissa is a non-executive director at STEYN IP and is involved in the strategic aspects of the firm, monitoring regulatory compliance and advising on the implementation of specialist legal services to enhance the service offering of the firm to its clients. Melissa is a practicing attorney and an experienced administrator, as well as a property law specialist with extensive experience in commercial property portfolios.
Education:
– B.Com(Business Management and Law)
– LLB
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
– Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa
– Notary Public
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
Robynne Zevenster
Patent Attorney
Robynne is a registered patent attorney with over 12 years of experience prosecuting local and foreign patent applications in all major fields. She is responsible for the patent and design services offered by the firm. Robynne has a scientific background and particularly enjoys advising on and prosecuting pharmaceutical or chemical inventions applications.
Education:
– BSc Honors (Biotechnology)
– LLB
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
– Registered Patent Attorneys (SAIIPL)
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
– South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
– Licensing Executive of South Africa Board Member (LESSA)
– International Licensing Executive (LESI)
Lianca Müller
Paralegal and Directors Assistant
Lianca is paralegal and assistant to the directors at STEYN IP. She is responsible for the engagement with the IP offices and for relevant administrative matter within the firm. She is also involved in engaging with clients and foreign associates. Lianca further holds a Diploma in Law from UNISA and is currently a LLB candidate.
Education:
– Diploma in Law
David Spohr
Specialist Labour Attorney
David is a highly skilled labour attorney specialising in high-profile labour matters. With expertise in providing legal counsel to both employees and employers, he has successfully resolved complex labour disputes through negotiation, mediation and litigation. He is known for his strategic thinking and exceptional negotiation skills, which have allowed him to effectively represent clients in various industries. David’s professionalism, dedication and commitment to achieving favourable outcomes for his clients have earned him the respect of his peers and clients.
Education:
– BSc (Geography and Archaeology)
– BProc
– Certificate in Labour Relations
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
– Alternative Dispute Resolution Network of South Africa (ADRNSA)
– South African Board of People Practices (SABPP)
Loren Smith
Music Industry Specialist
Loren is an experienced music industry consultant and qualified paralegal. She ensures artists’ music administration is taken care of, including royalty collections, music contracts, musical copyright and music industry liaising. She has worked with various music companies and is currently a LLB candidate. Loren focuses on ensuring that artists are set up for success regarding their music careers.
Education:
– Diploma in Sound Engineering
– UCT Paralegal Qualification
AINNO™
AI Legal Assistant
Ainno is a dedicated legal assistant versed in the realm of IP law. She brings a fusion of advanced AI technology and an understanding of legal and intellectual property principles to the team and provides efficient support on IP related matters. Trained by our team of specialists, Ainno is available around the clock to answer any queries on intellectual property law.
Education:
– Juris Cybernetica
Admission:
– Virtual Bar of Legal Algorithms
Associations:
– League of Virtual Legal Minds
– Sentient Law Professionals Association
– Artificial Jurists Society
Christiaan Steyn
Founder and Managing Director
Christiaan is the founder and managing director of STEYN IP. He also heads up the intellectual property department of the firm and is responsible for the oversight of the firm’s business functions, marketing and public relations initiatives. Christiaan is a practicing attorney with over 15 years’ experience in intellectual property, which includes employment at the National Trade Marks Office. He has a great passion for intellectual property law, especially in the creative sectors, and has specific expertise
and interest in trade marks, copyright and domain disputes.
Education:
– LLB
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
– South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
– World Independent Lawyers League (WILL)
– Intellectual Property and Innovation Researchers in Africa (IPIRA)
– International Trademark Association (INTA)
– ICANN Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC)
– Senior Domain Dispute Adjudicator and ADR Committee Member (SAIIPL)
Melissa Steyn
Non-Executive Director
Melissa is a non-executive director at STEYN IP and is involved in the strategic aspects of the firm, monitoring regulatory compliance and advising on the implementation of specialist legal services to enhance the service offering of the firm to its clients. Melissa is a practicing attorney and an experienced administrator, as well as a property law specialist with extensive experience in commercial property portfolios.
Education:
– B.Com(Business Management and Law)
– LLB
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
– Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa
– Notary Public
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
Robynne Zevenster
Patent Attorney
Robynne is a registered patent attorney with over 12 years of experience prosecuting local and foreign patent applications in all major fields. She is responsible for the patent and design services offered by the firm. Robynne has a scientific background and particularly enjoys advising on and prosecuting pharmaceutical or chemical inventions applications.
Education:
– BSc Honors (Biotechnology)
– LLB
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
– Registered Patent Attorneys (SAIIPL)
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
– South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
– Licensing Executive of South Africa Board Member (LESSA)
– International Licensing Executive (LESI)
Lianca Müller
Paralegal and Directors Assistant
Lianca is paralegal and assistant to the directors at STEYN IP. She is responsible for the engagement with the IP offices and for relevant administrative matter within the firm. She is also involved in engaging with clients and foreign associates. Lianca further holds a Diploma in Law from UNISA and is currently a LLB candidate.
Education:
– Diploma in Law
David Spohr
Specialist Labour Attorney
David is a highly skilled labour attorney specialising in high-profile labour matters. With expertise in providing legal counsel to both employees and employers, he has successfully resolved complex labour disputes through negotiation, mediation and litigation. He is known for his strategic thinking and exceptional negotiation skills, which have allowed him to effectively represent clients in various industries. David’s professionalism, dedication and commitment to achieving favourable outcomes for his clients have earned him the respect of his peers and clients.
Education:
– BSc (Geography and Archaeology)
– BProc
– Certificate in Labour Relations
Admissions:
– Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Associations:
– Legal Practice Council of South Africa
– Alternative Dispute Resolution Network of South Africa (ADRNSA)
– South African Board of People Practices (SABPP)
Loren Smith
Music Industry Specialist
Loren is an experienced music industry consultant and qualified paralegal. She ensures artists’ music administration is taken care of, including royalty collections, music contracts, musical copyright and music industry liaising. She has worked with various music companies and is currently a LLB candidate. Loren focuses on ensuring that artists are set up for success regarding their music careers.
Education:
– Diploma in Sound Engineering
– UCT Paralegal Qualification
AINNO™
AI Legal Assistant
Ainno is a dedicated legal assistant versed in the realm of IP law. She brings a fusion of advanced AI technology and an understanding of legal and intellectual property principles to the team and provides efficient support on IP related matters. Trained by our team of specialists, Ainno is available around the clock to answer any queries on intellectual property law.
Education:
– Juris Cybernetica
Admission:
– Virtual Bar of Legal Algorithms
Associations:
– League of Virtual Legal Minds
– Sentient Law Professionals Association
– Artificial Jurists Society
We are a passionate and experienced team of specialist attorneys dedicated to help our clients build, grow and maintain their businesses, creativity and careers.
We are a passionate and experienced team of specialist attorneys dedicated to help our clients build, grow and maintain their businesses, creativity and careers.
EXPERIENCED
EFFECTIVE
INNOVATIVE
CLIENT-FOCUSED
