INSPIRING LEGAL MINDS

WWW.INSPIRINGLEGALMINDS.CO.ZA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MY STORY

Having the privilege of growing up with lots of exposure to the legal profession, it was only natural that I pursued a career in law. During the past thirteen years of practising as an advocate, I have encountered some of the most brilliant legal minds who have inspired and motivated me to strive for excellence. This project is intended to delve into their stories so that the upcoming generation of lawyers can be equally inspired, as I have been.

It looks at what has inspired and shaped them to pursue a career in law. My favorite question is always what prompted them to choose this path. Their responses are gripping. Many overcame poverty and great adversity, particularly during the apartheid era, when access to the legal profession was extremely difficult. Looking back at the challenges they overcame and the injustice they fought, and continue to fight, has motivated me immensely.

My love for the law started when I was just a few years old. I have fond memories of spending the school holidays with my aunt, who was a prosecutor at the time. Since the age of six, she would take me to work with her, and tell me about her interesting cases. Lunchtimes were spent at her husband’s law firm, which was next door to the court building. Being my first example of a woman in this profession, I never doubted that as a female, I could become a lawyer one day.

My fascination for the law was developed further by my dad, a prominent criminal law attorney, who allowed me to work at his practice when I was in high school. Without a doubt, my dad has been the legal mind that has inspired me the most. I deeply admire his commitment to excellence, the lasting relationships he has built with his clients and his strong work ethic. Watching him exhibit his fierce cross-examination skills in the courtroom made me soon realize that I should always be candid with him.

Whilst the issues we currently face as practitioners are by no means insignificant, particularly the issue of transformation of our profession, it has been eye-opening when I hear stories of the past. I salute them for persevering and paving the way for the generations of lawyers that came after them. I am here because of the battles they fought

 As a female lawyer, I am mindful of the challenges still faced by women, particularly in respect of career progression and sustainability in practice. Inspiring Legal Minds also focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion. It deals with contentious issues such a micro-aggression, unconscious bias, the need for a more representative profession, as well as possible solutions to achieving qualitative as opposed to quantitative transformation.    

I dedicate Inspiring Legal Minds to my dad. Dad, thanks for inspiring me, for always supporting me and shaping me into the lawyer that I am today. Of course my mum, a school principal, also played an instrumental role by teaching me that success can only be achieved with discipline, a good work ethic and being focused.  She always encouraged me to pursue my creative pursuits and her encouragement culminated in Inspiring Legal Minds.

Lastly, I mention one of my closest friends, the late Advocate Mandla Zulu, who mentored me when I relocated my practice to Johannesburg in 2015. He taught me the importance of humility and kindness, two of the most significant traits he embodied. Most notably, he inculcated in me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to and worked towards.

I hope that this platform serves as a useful aid for aspiring lawyers and those who are already in practice.

May you be inspired to achieve the goals that you set your mind to so that, in turn, you inspire others.