Vanessa Halle

Background & Experience
- LLB from the University of Essex
- PgDip in Bar Professional studies at the University of Law (UK)
- Called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2011
- Called to the Cameroon Bar in 2013
- IP Attorney at the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)

•    Cameroon
•    England & Wales

Industry Associations
•    Cameroon Bar Association | Member
•    International Bar Association | Member
•    International Trademark Association | Member
•    European Communities Trademark Association (ECTA) | Member
•    Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group | Member

Publication
•    Contributor for the INTA country guide - OAPI jurisdiction

Languages: Fluent in English and French

Vanessa is currently partner at Nico Halle & Co. Law Firm, and heads up the Intellectual Property department. As an IP attorney, she has experience in litigation and dispute resolution relating to IP rights such as trademark infringement, trademark oppositions, passing off and unfair competition; copyright litigation, patent licensing disputes and domain name disputes.

Further, Vanessa also has extensive experience advising clients in diverse aspects with regard to the management and enforcement of their intellectual property portfolio comprising trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial designs, copyright, and domain name in the OAPI jurisdiction. She also manages the day-to-day operation of IP registrations and maintenance. Vanessa counsels brand owners on strategic areas such as procurement, licensing, infringement seizures, investigations, and pre-litigation considerations.

Her services include portfolio management - the protection, registration, maintenance and acquisition of Intellectual Property, due diligence, and pre-litigation considerations. She also conducts availability searches, filing, prosecution, rights transfer, recordal and opposition; litigation; IP commercial, transactional, and advisory services.

Other areas of practice include corporate and commercial law, agribusiness, fintech, corporate immigration, business law, labour & employment, alternative dispute resolution, maritime law, mergers & acquisitions, natural resources & environment, and oil & gas.

Vanessa acts for and advises local and foreign clients on legal, regulatory, transactional corporate issues, and on setting up and doing business in Cameroon. Her experience includes preparing opinions on corporate and commercial matters, advising clients on various aspects of the OHADA Uniform Act, as well as negotiating, commenting on and drafting a variety of commercial agreements, including shareholders’ agreements and resolutions, memoranda of incorporation, sale of shares and business agreements, merger agreements, and loan agreements. Also, Vanessa assists corporations with restructuring, acquisitions and divestitures; and assists foreign investors in the acquisition of businesses, and consolidating investments in Cameroon.

Vanessa also provides advisory and legal services in maritime transactions. Her litigation experience and knowledge includes ship arrest, maritime contracts, damage claims, cargo loss, registration and deregistration of vessels, collision and maritime casualties. She provides advisory services on financial market regulations, card and related electronic payment instruments, and loan agreements.