South African and Nigerian lawyers named among International Trademark Association (INTA)’s new Rising Stars

Talented young African lawyers Gabrielle Mizen and Hibbatun-Nasser Shobambi have been identified as emerging leaders who are making a significant and lasting impact in the field of intellectual property, with their naming this month alongside international peers as Rising Stars by the International Trademark Association (INTA), 

“The Rising Stars Program, launched in 2022, is designed to identify and cultivate future leaders and contributors to the IP profession,” said the INTA, a global organisation originally established in 1878. The prestigious honour recognises individuals around the globe who demonstrate a commitment to the IP profession or INTA through substantive IP work or dynamic skills, including achievements as a speaker, author, project team contributor, or committee contributor.

Hibbatun-Nasser exemplifies such qualities as she routinely advises a diverse and sophisticated portfolio of clients on trademark strategy and brand protection across every sector of the economy, said leading African firm Olaniwun Ajayi, where she is an associate and core member of the firm’s Intellectual Property, Entertainment, and Media team in Lagos. “Her work reflects not only technical excellence, but a deep commercial understanding of how brands create and preserve value.”

Gabrielle, an associate at specialist IP law firm Berdou Attorneys in Johannesburg, joins Hibbatun-Nasser in flying the flag for Africa, among 42 international peers from Asia, North and Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe on the Rising Stars list. 

“I am honoured to have been recognised as a Rising Star by the INTA,” says Gabrielle, who first joined Berdou Attorneys in 2019, with a background in architecture. After earning a law degree and being admitted as an attorney in South Africa, she is pursuing qualification as a patent attorney. “I am also excited to meet more of the current and past recognised Rising Stars at the Annual Meeting in London in May!”

The INTA’s membership and community comprises more than 6,600 organisations from 182 jurisdictions, representing nearly 38,000 professionals, including brand owners from major corporations, SMEs, law firms, and non-profits organisations, government agency members, professors, and law students. 

The new group of Rising Stars, including Gabrielle and Hibbatun-Nasser, will meet virtually in March with INTA President Deborah Hampton, INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo, and other experienced IP leaders. On Saturday, 2 May in London, a Rising Stars reception will take place, bringing together all individuals recognised since the program’s launch in 2022, to connect with peers and members of INTA’s Board.

“We thank the Rising Stars for their contributions to INTA and look forward to their continued impact within our community and beyond,” said the association.