Rachael Weil is an outstanding lawyer with a BA LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she finished with a cum laude standing. She’s also one of SWVG Inc. Attorneys and Lawyers’ directors.

In fact, the “W” in “SWVG” stands for Weil, the attorney’s last name. 

Atty. Weil practises in all areas of law but specialises in complex commercial transactions, insolvency and business rescue, shareholders disputes, medical negligence and commercial and corporate litigation.

Previous business clients of Atty. Weil chose her to handle their cases because of her earnestness and professionalism. Clients love how she goes out of her way to make sure the case is won.

In fact, a client shared that Atty. Weil tirelessly worked on their case until she was able to identify a sure-win move.

We also admire how the firm’s directors are hands-on in training their associate attorneys, increasing our confidence that clients are in good hands no matter who is assigned to their case.

Nonetheless, some of Atty. Weil’s clients get impatient with how long SWVG Inc. takes to close cases. Some clients complain that the firm’s agents tend to go for the longer route when there’s a simpler one available.

Also, we think the firm can improve its client support services. Apparently, there are clients who are anxious about the progress in their cases, and SWVG Inc. takes a while to respond to their queries and concerns.

Jaco Lötter is one of Tonkin Clacey Inc.’s renowned law practitioners. He also leads the firm as one of its directors.

His primary background before law is business management. Currently, he provides a broad range of legal assistance that deals with the following sectors: business, corporate, non-profit, and property.

Atty. Lötter has years of law practice in and out of court. He’s often praised by previous corporate case clients for his legal know-how and quick turnaround time.

Clients tell us they appreciate how Atty. Jaco Lötter always manages to settle or win his corporate cases within a few months, which is a major plus for us.

Tonkin Clacey Inc., where he practises, is a specialist law firm in Johannesburg that focuses on properties. They have a solid foundation of 30 years’ worth of experience in the property and law sector.

The firm is highly recommended for its friendly and considerate staff and affordable rates.

Clients also like how the office is conveniently placed at the heart of Rosebank, easily accessible via different modes of transport.

We also have trust in Tonkin Clacey Inc. for its expertise in the corporate area of law. They deal with corporate and commercial litigation, corporate and company, corporate governance, and corporate property finance.

However, a word of caution: we’re told there are instances where the support staff seem disoriented and members aren’t on the same page. 

A client shared that the team support has different versions of updates regarding their cases, which can be confusing for clients.

Kimani Ndungu is the founder and director of Ndungu Attorneys Inc. He has an LLB from University of South Africa and an LLM in International Law from the University of Cape Town.

A strong advocate of human rights and freedom of expression, Atty. Ndungu worked with several major civil society organisations in the country, including the Freedom of Expression Institute and the Foundation for Human Rights.

In addition, Atty. Ndungu has experience working with local, regional, and even international organisations like the Swedish International Development Agency. He also has several published research papers, which we find impressive.

Before building his own law firm, Atty. Ndungu built his experience working for other law firms as a candidate attorney and consultant. Ndungu Attorneys Inc. is a young boutique law firm only established around four years ago.

Although they’re small, we’re impressed that the firm has lots of experience in providing legal services to big, well-established organisations and companies such as One World Hospitality Group, and the Freedom of Expression Institute, among others.

Ndungu Attorneys Inc. specialises in immigration, refugee, labour law, and family law. However, they also handle cases in other areas like corporate law.

One of our favourite things about this law firm is its dedication to providing high-quality legal services at an affordable cost. Clients appreciate how Ndungu Attorneys Inc. asks for lower service rates compared to other firms.

Take note, though, that Ndungu Attorneys Inc. has a very small team. Atty. Ndungu is joined only by his understudy, Atty. Kamogelo Nkoana.

Although both attorneys are high-performing and qualified professionals, they seem to be lacking in resources to handle bigger, more complex corporate cases, especially considering how Atty. Nkoana is still in training. 

Derrick Kaufmann is a well-educated professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Stellenbosch University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Laws in International Economic Law from the University of South Africa.

Atty. Kaufmann has over two decades of professional experience and is currently the Co-Regional Managing Director for Africa and the Head of the Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions department at Andersen Johannesburg.

Atty. Derrick Kaufmann is affiliated with several law organisations such as the South African Legal Practice Council. Moreover, he was awarded one of The Best Lawyers in South Africa for Mergers and Acquisitions Law in 2022.

Andersen is a popular law firm that works with high-profile and big companies. They’re an international association that has more than 7,000 professionals working with them in more than 250 locations around the world.

The firm is experienced in dealing with large, complex transactions. In fact, Andersen has handled most cases for most of the major international mining houses in Africa.

As part of one of the most requested law firms in the area, Atty. Kaufmann’s schedule is usually very tight. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests they receive, the firm tends to prioritise bigger, higher-paying cases.

Clients also shared that Andersen’s service rates lean towards the more expensive side, which isn’t ideal for smaller organisations or businesses. 

Mandla Mnisi is a well-seasoned attorney who specialises in corporate and commercial law, municipal law, and general or commercial litigation. 

A human rights advocate, he earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Law at the University of Venda. He also has an LLM in Banking and Stock Exchange Law from the University of Johannesburg.

Atty. Mnisi provides legal services for clients from both private and public sectors, which we appreciate. We’re also impressed to hear that he currently teaches Practical Business Law and Mercantile Law at the University of Johannesburg.

Atty. Mnisi is also one of MNS Attorneys’ renowned directors. The firm is a black-owned and -run law firm established in 2002 and grew to be one of the leading law firms in Joburg that handle corporate cases.

MNS Attorneys provides legal assistance in corporate finance and structuring agreements, black economic empowerment agreements, corporate consultation, governance and compliance, and cases involving business rescue.

We’re a bit disappointed to hear potential clients complain about how difficult it is to get a quotation, even via email and phone.

But more troubling are reports of racist treatments by MNS Attorneys’ staff members. A client shared how they experienced discrimination by race while communicating with one of the firm’s receptionists. 

This is disheartening and confusing as the firm is black-owned and run. We hope management takes this complaint seriously.

JMD Attorneys Inc. offers a robust suite of corporate law services, addressing the legal needs of businesses of all sizes.

We like how their services encompass contract law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, compliance, intellectual property, and dispute resolution.

JMD Attorneys Inc. has a wide range of expertise, allowing them to handle various aspects of corporate law.

Their ability to draw from different legal specializations ensures comprehensive and well-rounded legal support for businesses.

The firm boasts a team of experienced attorneys who are well-versed in corporate law.

Even client reviews frequently mention the professionalism and high level of expertise of the firm’s lawyers, particularly highlighting their ability to handle complex legal matters efficiently.

JMD Attorneys Inc. is known for its client-centric approach, providing tailored legal solutions that address the specific needs of each client.

We think that the firm’s commitment to understanding and prioritizing client needs is a significant advantage.