Experience

David is the sole proprietor and managing principal of de Chalains® and has been with the firm since its inception having graduated from the University of Natal with degrees in arts and law in 1991.

He subsequently obtained his Masters of Law degree in intellectual property law at the University of South Africa. He qualified as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa at Spoor & Fisher, a firm specialising in IP matters and has lectured at several institutions in South Africa on intellectual property law and commercial law.

David specialises in trade mark and copyright matters generally, including furnishing opinions on the registrability of trade marks, filing and the prosecution of trade marks locally and abroad.

David has extensive experience and expertise in the often complicated field of trade mark audits. This is borne out by the numerous successful audits he has conducted for listed corporates with large trade mark portfolios.

In recent years David has also contributed to the vision and strategy of the firm including the identification and implementation of marketing strategies. He enjoys the challenge of filing and prosecuting unconventional trade mark applications for example sound marks / jingles and olfactory marks (scent marks).

David has a particular interest in the protection and enforcement of trade mark portfolios owned by international sports teams for example The British and Irish Lions and the world famous St Andrews Links golf course, recognised as " The Home of Golf". He also acts for a number of prominent clients in the feminine hygiene, entertainment, education, restaurant, food, wine and whiskey industries.

Outside of the office David enjoys travel, reading, cycling, rugby, cricket and tennis (not in any particular order). David is married to Heléne.

Experience

Julian is a co-founder of de Chalains® having graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a B.Econ degree. He has over thirty years of experience in the management of trade mark portfolios and trade mark data bases.

Prior to joining Spoor & Fisher Julian spent approximately four years with a major multi-national group of companies based in South Africa.

In his thirteen years with Spoor & Fisher Julian headed up the formalities department and administered trade mark renewals, portfolios and data bases of these entities, respectively.

As portfolio manager at de Chalains® he specialises in the field of post-registration formalities and, in particular, trade mark and patent renewals, assignments, amendments and registered users.

Julian also deals with company and close corporation searches as well as name reservations. He also ensures that the finance, administration and personnel functions are managed effectively and efficiently.

Julian is a keen follower of sports, enjoys cycling and is married to Mia. He is also a proud father of four!

Experience

Reinhold obtained the degrees B. Com (Law) and LLB from the University of Pretoria and was admitted as an Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer in 1993.

Before joining de Chalains, Reinhold was a senior director at John & Kernick / Bowman Gilfillan (now part of Adams & Adams) where he headed up the firm’s foreign trade marks department for 10 years.

Reinhold specializes in all aspects relating to the registration, enforcement and licensing of trade mark rights, as well as trade mark portfolio management.

Experience

Mike du Toit is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, a qualified Trademark Practitioner and senior adjudicator of domain name disputes in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002 ( ECT Act) and regulations.

He served on the council of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) for several years, is a past President of SAIIPL and was chairman of their ADR committee that set up the domain name dispute resolution platform for the resolution of domain name disputes in terms of the ECT Act and Regulations.

Mike has extensive experience in the creation, protection and enforcement of clients’ rights, not only in South Africa, but across the African continent and the rest of the world. He has litigated extensively in the High Court of South Africa, in front of the Registrar of Trade Marks, Registrar of Companies and the Advertising Standards Authority.

Mike has also advised a number of South African and international companies on strategic intellectual property issues ranging from licensing issues, clearance searches, due diligences and mergers and acquisitions.

Experience

Janusz's qualifications include a B.Eng (Chemical) and a B.Proc. He is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, a patent attorney and a registered professional engineer.

Janusz is also a member of several professional, industrial and legal societies. In 2001 Janusz passed the Australian Institute of Patent and Trademark Attorneys patent drafting examination.

Before joining the profession, Janusz worked in the chemical, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries for a number of years. Janusz's current activities include patent drafting, litigation, searching, providing opinions on novelty and infringement of patents and designs, and prosecuting local and foreign patent and design applications. Janusz is fluent in English, Afrikaans and Polish and reads Czech.

He serves on the EXCO of AIPPI South Africa and is the convenor of the South African Institute of intellectual Property Law Public Affairs committee.

Janusz's technical fields of specialization include petrochemical engineering, food and beverage engineering, pharmaceuticals, catalysis, IT and business method related patents while also handling some mechanical and electrical patent applications.

In recent years Janusz has also presented numerous workshops on the Consumer Protection Act to premier companies and is considered to be an expert in the field. He also advises leading companies on Food, Pharmaceutical and Consumer law related issues,product liability and regulatory affairs.

Experience

Jean-Pierre is the founder of the firm. He graduated from the University of Natal with a B.Sc (Chemical Engineering) degree and later obtained a B.Proc degree from the University of South Africa. Thereafter he acquired a Higher Diploma in Company Law from the University of the Witwatersrand.

He subsequently qualified as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa and then as a patent attorney at Spoor & Fisher - a large well respected firm, specialising in intellectual property, where he became a partner.

Jean is a fellow of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, is on the editorial board of the internationally acclaimed Managing Intellectual Property magazine and is on the South African Council of the Licensing Executive Society.

Over the last fifteen years Jean has practised in the fields of trade mark, patent, copyright and company law.

In more recent years he has specialised in the valuation and commercial assessment of intellectual property, technology and other intangible assets and is considered to be a leading expert in this field.

Jean retired from practice in 2002 although he remains a consultant of the firm. He is a fervent supporter of the Sharks and the Springboks (in that order).

Experience

Claudia is a consultant of the firm and has a degree in chemical engineering as well as a LLB. She is also a qualified attorney and patent attorney.

Claudia's current activities include carrying out patent equivalent searches and providing opinions on novelty and infringement of patents with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.

She also drafts and prosecutes local and foreign patent applications and has litigation experience. In addition, Claudia overseas our local Design filing department. She is fluent in English, Afrikaans and German.

Experience

Loraine entered the IP arena in 1976 when she joined Spoor & Fisher. Her initial duties, whilst in the employ of this large and respected IP firm in South Africa included patent formality work and, in particular, renewals. Some years later she progressed to trade mark matters (in addition to patents, exclusively in Malawi and Zambia).

Loraine brought her extensive experience in IP matters to de Chalains® and has been with the firm since inception.

Currently she handles a variety of IP matters and specialises in patent formality work. She also makes a valuable contribution heading up the accounts department of the firm. During her spare time (when she is not at the office) Loraine enjoys reading and playing bowls.

Experience

Jackie joined the firm in 2002. Jackie successfully obtained her LLB degree at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in December 2009. Moreover she specialises in trade mark matters such as the preparation, filing and prosecution in SADC countries and in the International trade mark arena.

Jackie also deals with copyright, franchising, counterfeit products, passing off and unlawful competition matters.

She registered for her candidacy in July 2008 and was admitted on 12 November 2012 as an Attorney of the High Court.

Jackie is currently a member of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP) and a student member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL).

Jackie is a keen Blue Bulls and Springboks supporter and enjoys reading and the outdoors.

Experience

Lizél joined the firm in November 2006. Her career has been with two premier South African IP law firms, namely Adams & Adams and Spoor & Fisher.

Prior to joining de Chalains®, Lizél spent the last 15 years at Spoor & Fisher.

Her initial responsibilities entailed handling trade mark renewals, assignments, registered users, changes of name, address, address for service and all formal amendments.

Seven years later, Lizél was promoted to Section Head of the Changes Department at Spoor & Fisher. In addition her responsibilities included dealing and meeting directly with clients as well as handling of staff related matters.

Lizél concentrates on the filing of trade mark applications, prosecution thereof, patent renewals as well as formality work in respect of trade mark matters.

Lizél is married to André and they have two children, Reynardt and Zelda. She enjoys the outdoors and her hobbies include running, motorbike riding and her indoor activities include sewing and baking.

Experience

Geelbooi attended Bantori College in Pretoria (2000) where he underwent his secretarial diploma and computer skills training. After successfully completing his diploma in March 2001 he joined SD Carpets Fitters CC.

He worked there as a receptionist until February 2003 before joining Rayton Traffic Department as an Administrative Clerk.

He joined de Chalains in March 2008 and is an asset to the firm, diligently handling all administrative matters and is always keen to tackle new and challenging tasks.