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BusinessDay www.businessday.co.za Thursday 11 November 2021
INSIGHTS
BEST LAWYERS OF SA Sponsored content
SA firms take their place on ‘Best’ list
Skill, ethics and •excellence are core tenets of success, writes Penny Haw
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stablished 40 years ago to highlight the accomplishments of those in the legal profession, the Best Lawyers list is based on peer reviews with the objective of providing a reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. The process begins as a list of attorneys nominated by clients, other practising lawyers and marketing teams. This is whittled down after nominees are evaluated by their peers. According to the Best Lawyers board of advisors, inclusion on the Best Lawyers and the Lawyer of Year lists is influential because the methodology is based on the premise that “the best lawyers know who the best lawyers are”. But what qualities distinguish good lawyers from the best? Professional skill, ethics and excellence are the core tenets of an excellent firm and its services, says director at
Anthony Norton … calibre. Knowles Husain Lindsay (KHL) Inc, Gavin Shär who, along with other colleagues, is listed as a Best Lawyer in the litigation category for 2022. The firm is also included on the 2022 Best Lawyers list in the real estate and insurance law categories. But, says Shär, there is more to distinguishing a firm than skill, ethics and excellence. “KHL also enjoys a culture of respect and camaraderie among our professional and nonprofessional staff, which has fostered a relaxed, safe and enjoyable working environment,” he says. “This translates into how we engage with our clients and colleagues. I believe our corporate culture is recognised, respected and
appreciated by our clients and colleagues alike. I regard our corporate culture as a crucial ingredient in providing clients with a competitive advantage.” For Cape Town firm Smiedt & Associates, which once again features on the corporate law and real estate law categories of the Best Lawyer list, professional excellence implies accessibility, loyalty and being solutions-based, says partner and Best Lawyer in the real estate category Michelle Kucera. “Accessibility means our clients are always comfortable with our professionalism and service. We are extremely loyal to our clients and go out of our way to assist them even in areas outside of law and, most importantly, we are solutionsbased,” she says. Listed as a Best Lawyer the regulatory practice and the competition/antitrust law categories along with three colleagues, Anthony Norton of Nortons Inc says inclusion on the list reflects the calibre of the lawyers at the firm across the board. “We offer our clients a multidisciplinary service and we are also proud of our in-house economic capability, which we think sets us apart,” he says. Norton adds that the
measure of a firm is not only the work it performs for commercial clients, but also the pro bono work it performs for nongovernmental organisations. “We have reflected on some of the most noteworthy pro bono matters we have conducted. These include representing Freedom Under Law in the application filed by the Electoral Commission in the Constitutional Court, seeking a postponement of the local government elections and in the continuing proceedings before the Constitutional Court in relation to the social grants tender,” he explains. Another way of assessing the competency of a firm and its lawyers is to benchmark against the best. Shär offers his insights. “I have always regarded the legal skills and ethics of my senior partners as the benchmark against which I must measure myself as an attorney,” he says. “To now be recognised as a Best Lawyer alongside them is an unexpected, but significant, milestone in my career and something that I am grateful of and proud to have achieved.” To see the full list, log on to https://www.businesslive.co.za/ bd/national/2021-11-11lawyers-of-the-year-2022/
Listing a poignant reminder of effect of Covid-19 on staff, clients Being included on the Best Lawyers list is meaningful every year. However, for some firms, including Smiedt & Associates, being listed for 2022 is even more noteworthy. Smiedt & Associates founder and senior partner Alan Smiedt died from Covid-19 at the end of 2020. The firm’s good showing on the 2022 Best Lawyers list — three of its lawyers feature as Best Lawyers in the corporate law and real estate law categories — confirms its continued excellence. “We aim to live up to Alan’s good name and the legacy he left us,” says Smiedt & Associates’ Michelle Kucera. “Covid-19 has affected many businesses, including those of our clients. We have tried to accommodate them where we can with payment plans and other assistance. We know that by assisting clients during tough times we will have clients for life.” The approach has paid off and Smiedt & Associates has grown over the past year. “We are extremely grateful to our clients who have stuck through it with us and who have been incredibly supportive. Given that our firm has continued to grow in what is an incredibly tough economic environment is a testament that we have and will always look to make our founding partner proud,” says Kucera.
Michelle Kucera … legacy. Some of the challenges brought on by the pandemic have, says Gavin Shär, director of Sandton-based Knowles Husain Lindsay (KHL) Inc, compelled change for the better. “Covid made us realise it is possible to practise law remotely and that you don’t have to sit in plush, expensive offices donning branded suits to be effective as an attorney,” he says. “In my experience, virtual platforms such as Zoom and Teams have made consulting with clients and/or counsel far more efficient and, in most instances, just as productive as in-person meetings.” In addition, the introduction of the electronic court system Case Lines has made managing the litigation process easier than being at court in person. “I dare say, sans Covid, the migration to Case Lines would
Specialist in African IP law celebrates 101st anniversary Known for creating and implementing robust intellectual property (IP) protection strategies across the Africa, Spoor & Fisher amplified its 101st birthday celebrations when it was named 2022 Law Firm of the Year for Intellectual Property Law in the 13th edition of the South African version of the International Lawyer of the Year Report. “Given the global pandemic, we at Spoor & Fisher were unable to celebrate our centenary in 2020, marking
100 years since the 1920 establishment of our firm. But we saw no reason not to honour an even greater milestone, 101 years of specialising in IP, during 2021,” says executive chairman for the firm, Lodewyk Cilliers. Among the initiatives to commemorate its 101st year is the refreshing of its corporate identity. The new branding incorporates a “consistent red circle”, which Cilliers says visually acknowledges the firm’s commitment to focusing
on and protecting its clients and their IP. It also reflect Spoor & Fisher’s professionalism, positivity, confidence, innovation and optimism. In addition to being named 2022 Law Firm of the Year for Intellectual Property Law, Spoor & Fisher has 24 lawyers from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria included on the list in the categories of corporate law, IP, entertainment law, franchise law, information technology law and litigation. The firm has established a
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lawyers from Spoor & Fisher are included on the list in categories including corporate law, IP and litigation
network and local relationships in all 59 countries in Africa and surrounding islands. “Known for combining our technical expertise with legal knowledge and high levels of responsiveness, together with a practical approach, we understand the intricacies and anomalies involved in registering and enforcing IP in every African country,” says Cilliers, adding that the firm provides the same services across the Caribbean, a region with a developing IP landscape.
“In year 101, there are more than 300 people who make up this incredible firm, but we realise we are reaping the benefits of the efforts put in by many people during the past 100 years. It is a legacy we are proud of, and as custodians of the Spoor & Fisher brand we are determined to continue to evolve while remaining true to our core values. We are also grateful to our loyal clients for allowing us to continue on our exciting journey. Here’s to the next 99 years,” he says.
have been a disaster. Working remotely has, for the most part, avoided wasting time in rushhour traffic and has afforded us the freedom of working from home on demand. “I have seen KHL employees become more focused and productive over the past 18 months or so, which has translated into more satisfied clients,” he says. According Anthony Norton, Nortons Inc, too, was able to quickly integrate its operations and adapt to working remotely. “(This meant) we have been able to deliver the same highcalibre service to our clients and have cemented our reputation as a leading competition law and white-collar crime firm,” says Norton. Issues unrelated to Covid-19 have also driven recent shifts in legal circles. Among these, notes Norton, is the emergence of a trend described as “super boutiques” — that is, niche law firms founded by leading attorneys previously with larger law firms. “Super boutiques are starting to play significant roles in major transactions and deals, including some we did during 2021,” he says. These include Seriti Coal’s acquisition of various coal assets from BHP; Clicks’ acquisition of Pick n Pay’s pharmacy business; acquisitions by Sanlam,
Gavin Shär … productive. including the acquisition of the group risk business from Alexander Forbes; as well as transactions for the Imperial group. “From a litigation perspective, some of the largest matters we have been involved in included setting aside the spectrum auction on behalf of eTV; a number of other litigation matters on behalf of Telkom, Caxton and WBHO; and private arbitration proceedings for some large multinational clients,” he says. “We are delighted to once again be included on the Best Lawyers list. We have worked hard to ensure we can offer our clients a multidisciplinary service and are proud of our in-house economic capability, which we think sets us apart from other law firms in the competition law space.”
RESULTS ARE NEVER IN DOUBT. We are very proud to have been voted by our peers as specialists in Corporate and Real Estate Law. Congratulations to all the other winners and thank you to the jury for your time.