Smit & Van Wyk Patent, Trademark & Registered Designs

Chantal Hoffelner

Patent Attorney

Email: c.hoffelner@svw.co.za

Chantal Hoffelner is a patent attorney at Smit & van Wyk, with qualifications in biotechnology and law. Before joining Smit & van Wyk in 2009, she worked as a researcher in the Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology Department at the University of the Free State.  She specialises in patent specification drafting, local and international patent searches and legal opinions.

Chantal Hoffelner, Patent Attorney

Expertise

Qualifications:

  • B.Sc Biochemistry and Microbiology
  • B.Sc (Hons) Microbiology (Cum Laude)
  • M.Sc Microbiology (Cum Laude)
  • LLB
  • SAIIPL (Qualified Patent Practitioner)

Areas of Expertise:

  • Patents: Biotechnology, medical, life sciences and pharmaceutical inventions.
  • Registered Designs: Industrial designs, product designs, patterns and packaging.
  • Litigation: Patent and design disputes.

Awards and Market Recognition

  • Listed as a Recommended Individual – IAM Patent 1000 (2024–2025).
  • Recognised in The Best Lawyers in South Africa (2024 & 2025 Editions) – Intellectual Property Law.
  • Listed as a Notable Practitioner – Managing Intellectual Property (MIP).
  • IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals – Ranked individual for patent services in South Africa from 2020 - 2022.

Associations:

  • Fellow of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL).
  • Member of the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA).
  • Member of the International Trade Mark Association (INTA).