Our Team

Directors

Arilia du Plessis

arilia@smitsew.co.za

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Bouwer van Niekerk

bouwer@smitsew.co.za

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Jacques Marais

jlm@smitsew.co.za

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Johannes Engelbrecht

johannes@smitsew.co.za

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Rachelle Freed

rachelle@smitsew.co.za

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Rikesh Sewgoolam

rikesh@smitsew.co.za

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Tiaan Jonker

tiaan@smitsew.co.za

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Peto Milton

peto@smitsew.co.za

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Associates

Marnelize Olivier

marnelize@smitsew.co.za

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Chantelle Van der Schyff

chantelle@smitsew.co.za

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Ashley Zwelihle Seckel

zwelihle@smitsew.co.za

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Junior Associates

Anél Coetzee

anel@smitsew.co.za

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Parveen Munga

parveen@smitsew.co.za

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Michani Wallis

michani@smitsew.co.za

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Leah Jagwanth

leah@smitsew.co.za

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Danielle de Kock

danielle@smitsew.co.za

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Candidate Attorneys

Laurraine Phakathi

laurraine@smitsew.co.za

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Zandre Jansen van Rensburg

zandre@smitsew.co.za

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Lené Brighton

lene@smitsew.co.za

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Mokgatle R Mokgatle

mokgatle@smitsew.co.za

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Arilia du Plessis

Qualifications:

  • 1992 - BJur (University of Port Elizabeth)
  • 1994 - LLB (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 1995 - Programme in Relationship Agreements & Dispute Resolution (University of Stellenbosch)
  • 1998 – Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
  • 2012 - Certificate in Administration of Estates (UNISA)

Profile Summary:

Arilia du Plessis focuses on Labour Law including internal disciplinary processes and external litigation in the CCMA/various Bargaining Councils and Labour Court/Labour Appeal Court. She also specialises in the administration of Deceased Estates and Insolvent Deceased Estates. She has been appointed as Curator Bonis and Trustee in terms of Court orders. She also serves as correspondent in the local Magistrates Courts and Gauteng Local Division of the High Court.

Focus area/Expertise:

  • Specialising in administration of deceased estates
  • Administration of insolvent deceased estates
  • Labour Law including company documents related to discipline, internal hearings, CCMA/various Bargaining Councils and Labour Court/Labour Appeal court process
  • Curator Bonis appointments by court order
  • Administration of trusts created by court order

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)

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Bouwer van Niekerk

Qualifications:

  • 2002 – BA (Law) (University of Stellenbosch)
  • 2005 – LLB (University of Stellenbosch)
  • 2007 – Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law (University of Johannesburg)
  • 2007 – Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
  • 2012 - Cert (Business Rescue Practice) (UNISA)
  • 2013 - Appointed as Commissioner of the Small Claims Court

Profile Summary:

Bouwer focuses on insolvency and business rescue related matters. He advises local and international clients, listed and private companies, registered credit providers, trade unions, charity organisations (pro bono), industrialists, property developers, liquidators, business rescue practitioners and creditors in insolvent estates. He also regularly publishes articles in professional legal magazines, and is often invited to make television appearances to discuss everyday legal topics.

Bouwer has represented clients in the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Courts, the Specialised Commercial Crimes Courts, the Labour Courts, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), bargaining councils and tribunals, private arbitrations and mediations, public and private insolvency enquiries and the Magistrates’ Courts.

Focus area/Expertise:

  • Insolvency practice and business rescue
  • Corporate and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolutions
  • Corporate and commercial advice and related services
  • Credit Law, with emphasis on matters arising from the National Credit Act
  • Labour and Employment

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)
  • South African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners Association (SARIPA)
  • International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL International)
  • Institute of Directors of Southern Africa (IoDSA)

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Jacques Marais

Qualifications:

  • 1998 - BCom (Law) (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 2000 - LLB (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 2000 - Admitted as Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Profile Summary:

Jacques started his legal career at what is nowadays so eloquently called a "boutique style" legal firm. During his tenure at the small firm, his legal foundations were solidly cast. He received invaluable training and guidance from his "old school" partner. The firm and therefore, his foundation, was based on the principles of honesty, integrity and dedication to clients.
Even though he obtained extensive experience in a broad spectrum of legal work, Jacques developed a passion for the negotiation of commercial transactions and the drafting of the concomitant agreements. He was also responsible for all aspects relating to the management of the firm. Jacques soon realised that he has a keen interest in, and thoroughly enjoys, the management of a legal practice. After his previous business partner retired, he merged his firm with Smit Sewgoolam Incorporated. At Smit Sewgoolam Incorporated he again found opportunity to follow his passion for commercial work and the management of a legal firm.

Focus area/Expertise:

  • Management of the Practice
  • Corporate and commercial advice and related services
  • Corporate and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolutions
  • Information Technology Law

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)

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Johannes Engelbrecht

Qualifications:

  • 1991 – BCom (Law) (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 1994 – LLB (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 1996 – Diploma in Insolvency Law and Practice (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 1996 – Higher Diploma in Tax Law (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 1997 – Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Profile Summary:

Johannes is a Director and heads up our Retail Banking Division as well as heading up one of the Corporate and Commercial law departments within the firm. He obtained his LLB from the Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg and completed his articles at the firm before being admitted as an attorney in 1997. He has extensive Banking, Corporate and Commercial law experience as well as experience in the property law sector and collections environment. Having gained years of experience through servicing large commercial and corporate clients, Johannes is equipped with the wealth of proven knowledge and expertise required in the corporate legal sphere to assist in business from a legal perspective.

Focus area/Expertise:

  • All aspects of property law, including conveyancing and ancillary aspects
  • Corporate and commercial advice and related services and the Companies Act
  • Corporate and commercial litigation
  • Non-litigious commercial matters and drafting of commercial agreements
  • Credit Law, with emphasis on matters arising from the National Credit Act
  • Insolvency practice

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)

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Rachelle Freed

Qualifications:

  • 1993 – BLC (University of Pretoria)
  • 1995 – LLB (University of Pretoria)
  • 1997 – Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Law (Rand Afrikaans University)
  • 1999 – Admitted as Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
  • 2002 – Admitted as Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa

Profile Summary:

Rachelle is a Director and heads the Conveyancing and Property law department at Smit Sewgoolam Incorporated. She obtained her LLB from the University of Pretoria and was admitted as an Attorney in 1999 and as a Conveyancer in 2002. In amplification of her passion for property Law she obtained a postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Law from the University of Johannesburg which was obtained with distinction. She is equipped with extensive property law experience and enjoys all aspects of property law and conveyancing with a particular interest in the technical and drafting aspects.

Focus Area/Expertise:

  • Subdivisions
  • Consolidationss
  • Residential and Sectional Title developments
  • Residential long term leases
  • Commercial and Residential property transfers
  • Insolvency transfers
  • Servitudes
  • Mortgage Bond Registrations

Membership:

  • Women Leading in Law (Wolela) initiative
  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)

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Rikesh Sewgoolam

Qualifications:

  • 1994 - Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Law Degree (University of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia)
  • 2000 - Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Profile Summary:

Rikesh is in charge of the firm’s operations in KZN and has a particular interest in commercial and insolvency related work.

Focus Area/Expertise:

  • Corporate and commercial advice and related services
  • Corporate and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolutions
  • Insolvency practice

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • KwaZulu-Natal Law Society

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Tiaan Jonker

Qualifications:

  • 1998 – BCom (Law) (North West University, Potchefstroom)
  • 1999 – LLB (North West University, Potchefstroom)
  • 2001 – Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Profile Summary:

Advising local and international private and listed companies, Tiaan's main areas of expertise are commercial law, corporate structuring, compliance and government procurement. His expertise include negotiation, structuring, drafting and dispute resolution. He has led teams in litigation before the Constitutional Court involving some of the largest tenders issued by the South African Government and in numerous high value arbitrations and court proceedings. He has extensive experience in the Financial Services Industry, including dealings with the Financial Services Board, the South African Reserve Bank, the Payments Association of South Africa, the National Credit Regulator and the Competition Commission, as well as appearances before the National Consumer Tribunal.

Focus Area/Expertise:

  • Commercial law
  • Corporate governance
  • Administrative law
  • Constitutional law
  • Dispute resolution (court procedure, mediation and arbitration)

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • KwaZulu-Natal Law Society
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)

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Peto Milton

Qualifications:

  • 2008 - BCom Accounting and Law (North West University)
  • 2010 - LLB (North West University and Vrije University, Amsterdam)
  • 2013 - Admitted as Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

 

Profile Summary:

Peto is a Director within the Commercial and Litigation Department and is admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. She obtained her BCom Accounting & LLB degrees from the North West University and the Vrije University in Amsterdam, the latter as an exchange student. She has extensive experience in commercial and transaction advisory services, credit law as well as complex commercial, personal injury and motor vehicle accident litigation.

 

Focus Area/Expertise:

  • Corporate and commercial advice and related services
  • Commercial litigation
  • Credit Law, with emphasis on matters arising from the National Credit Act
  • Personal injury claims
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents

 

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA)

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Marnelize Olivier

Qualifications:

  • 2010 - BCom (Law) (UNISA)
  • 2012 - LLB (UNISA)
  • 2015 - Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Profile Summary:

Marnelize Olivier obtained her BCom LAW and LLB degrees from UNISA in 2010 and 2012 respectively. She completed her articles at Smit Sewgoolam Inc in Johannesburg, before being admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2015. She obtained her Right of Appearance in both the Gauteng Division, Pretoria and the KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg. She has substantial experience in Corporate and Commercial advice and related services, with advanced knowledge on Credit Law with an emphasis on matters related to the National Credit Act. She has gained experience in Foreclosure, Debt Review, Magistrates’ and High Court Civil Litigation and Criminal Dispute Resolution. Marnelize has a passion for community outreach programs and is actively involved in charity projects.

Focus Area/Expertise:

  • Foreclosure
  • Repossession of Vehicles
  • Other aspects of banking and credit law

Membership:

  • Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP)
  • KwaZulu-Natal Law Society

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Chantelle Van der Schyff

 

Qualifications:

  • 2014 BCom (Law) (Cum Laude) (NWU Vaal Triangle Campus)
  • 2016 LLB (Cum Laude) (NWU Potchefstroom Campus)
  • 2019 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa

 

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Ashley Zwelihle Seckel

Qualifications:

  • 2015 LLB (University of Johannesburg)
  • 2017 LLM (International Commercial Law) (University of Johannesburg)
  • 2019 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa

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Anél Coetzee

Qualifications:

  • 2016 LLB (University of the Free State)
  • 2019 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa

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Parveen Munga

Qualifications:

  • 2013 BSc (Genetics) (University of Pretoria)
  • 2017 LLB (University of Witwatersrand)
  • 2020 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa

 

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Michani Wallis

Qualifications:

  • 2018 LLB (UNISA)
  • 2020 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa

 

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Leah Jagwanth

Qualifications:

  • 2013 BA Psychology
  • 2018 LLB (UNISA)
  • 2019 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa

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Danielle de Kock

Qualifications:

  • 2012 BCom (Law) (University of Pretoria)
  • 2014 LLB (University of KwaZulu Natal)
  • 2016 Admitted as Attorney of High Court of South Africa
  • 2018 Admitted as Conveyancer of High Court of South Africa

 

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Laurraine Phakathi

Qualifications:

  • 2020 LLB (UNISA)

 
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Zandre Jansen van Rensburg

Qualifications:

  • 2016 BCom (Law) (University of Johannesburg)
  • 2018 LLB (Cum Laude) (University of Johannesburg)

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Lené Brighton

Qualifications:

  • 2020 LLB (UNISA)

 
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Mokgatle R Mokgatle

Qualifications:

  • 2010 BA (University of Cape Town)
  • 2013 Certificate of International Law (Humboldt University, Germany)
  • Currently studying LLB through University of South Africa
  • Currently studying Master of Sports Law (Executive) through ISDE, Madrid, Spain

 

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