Janet Tomkow-Coetzer

Janet is in charge of filings, renewals and related issues before the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). She oversees the filing and prosecution of patent and design applications in South Africa and other countries throughout Eastern, Western and Central Africa, in which CWB operates.

Janet also advises on consumer and food law and handles legislative and regulatory issues concerning consumer protection, labeling of food products, product liability, and resolution of disputes in the supply chain. Janet is a member of the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) and is regularly asked to speak at conferences and workshops regarding consumer and food law.

Before joining CWB, Janet worked as Director and Head of Patents and Designs at IP firms Galloway & Co. and Hahn & Hahn for 13 years in total. She holds degrees in biotechnology and law, is an admitted patent attorney as well as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa.