Theuns Van De Merwe

  • Chief of MENA Operations
  • Head of MENA Trade Marks
  • Partner
@theuns.vandemerwe
theuns.vandemerwe@cwbip.com
+971 2 8775741

Theuns oversees the firm's trade mark practice throughout the MENA region. He manages portfolios for major international businesses and advises on IP licensing, strategy, risk assessment, clearance, prosecution, litigation, marketing, and alternative dispute resolution. With more than 15 years of IP-related experience, Theuns has served as counsel for some of the largest businesses in the world.

Theuns was the Head of Intellectual Property at Cedar White Bradley, before it merged into CWB. Prior to joining Cedar White Bradley in 2012, Theuns worked at the African IP law firm Adams & Adams.

Experience

  • As the chosen co-preferred counsel for the largest hospitality group in the world, managed their MENA trade mark portfolio, trade mark clearance, strategy, enforcement, licensing, branding, and dispute resolution undertakings in the region

  • Assisted a US law firm with the Global Trade Mark Report Card submitted to the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US Patent and Trade Mark Office and other agencies of the US government; the contribution covered 22 countries, and centered on well-known trade marks, landlord liability for trade mark infringement, statutory damage claims, and border measures against counterfeits

  • Advised one of the world’s largest insurance providers on trade mark infringement matters in the UAE, including on potential civil injunctive proceedings and criminal and administrative complaints before local authorities

  • Provided ongoing assistance to the world’s leading electronics company on contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters in the MENA region, including trade mark prosecution, opposition, litigation, and marketing clearance work

Qualifications
  • Trade Mark Attorney, South Africa, 2011
  • Attorney at Law, Law Society of Northern Provinces, South Africa, 2009
Education
  • University of Pretoria, South Africa, LLB, 2006
Languages
  • Afrikaans
  • English

Professional Activities

  • INTA
  • Organisation Rank Year Country
    MIP IP Stars
    • Trademark Star
    		2025 United Arab Emirates
    MIP IP Stars
    • Trademark Star
    		2024 United Arab Emirates
    MIP IP Stars
    • Trademark Star
    		2023 United Arab Emirates
  • Organisation Rank Year Country
    WIPR Leaders
    • WIPR Leader
    		2025 United Arab Emirates
  • Organisation Rank Year Country
    World Trademark Review 1000
    • Gold
    		2025 United Arab Emirates
    World Trademark Review 1000
    • Gold
    • WTR Global Leaders: Private Practice
    		2024 United Arab Emirates
    World Trademark Review 1000
    • Silver
    		2023 United Arab Emirates
  • Organisation Rank Year Country
    The Legal 500
    • Intellectual Property, Recommended Lawyer
    		2024 United Arab Emirates
    The Legal 500
    • Intellectual Property, Recommended Lawyer
    		2023 United Arab Emirates
  • Organisation Rank Year Country
    Chambers and Partners
    • Intellectual Property, Band 4
    		2023 United Arab Emirates

  • Partner and Head of MENA Trademarks Theuns van de Merwe is an admitted attorney and qualified Trademark Attorney with over 15 years serving as counsel for some of the world's largest businesses. As the Head of Intellectual Property at CWB, he manages extensive portfolios for major international clients, providing expert advice on IP licensing, strategy, risk assessment, clearance, prosecution, litigation, marketing, and alternative dispute resolution. World Trademark Review 1000, 2025

  • Theuns is a top-notch attorney. He provides wonderful client service and is very smart and strategic in his recommendations. Responsive and thorough, Theuns is able to simplify matters in a complex legal system. I have been very pleased and impressed by the depth of Theuns’s knowledge, and the quality of the pleadings and arguments that he has constructed to protect the trademark rights of our clientele. World Trademark Review 1000, 2024

  • In the IP field for 15 years, Theuns van de Merwe is a thought leader and litigation and licensing marvel, sought out by some of the biggest names in the world across a variety of fields. World Trademark Review 1000, 2023

  • Theuns van de Merwe is a South African attorney who leads CWB's trade marks practice in the MENA region. He regularly supports big-name clients with trade mark filing, as well as offering strategic guidance with regard to their regional portfolios. He has further experience concerning contentious matters, including appeals. Theuns provides solid legal counsel. Chambers and Partners, 2023