Mrs Nicolene Schoeman-Louw
LLB cum laude LLM (UFS) PG Dip FP(US)
Managing Director – Attorney, Conveyancer, Notary Public and Mediator
Connect with me on Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn
Areas of expertise:
- Commercial law
- Contract law
- B-BBEE Advice and Planning
- Property law and conveyancing
- Notarial work
- Business continuity planning and corporate governance
- Insurance law
- Drafting Wills, Trusts and Estate planning
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Civil litigation
more...
Mrs Nicolene Schoeman – Louw founded the firm in 2007 aged 24 and is now the Managing Director of the firm.
An admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, she is also a conveyancer, notary public and mediator with a passion for entrepreneurs and helping them reach their most ambitious goals.
She obtained her LLB degree cum laude and successfully completed her LLM degree (dissertation) in commercial law and B-BBEE at the University of the Free State. In addition, she obtained her postgraduate diploma in financial planning (CFP) at the University of Stellenbosch.
An abstract of her LLM dissertation was published in the Journal for Estate Planning in 2006 and is regularly published in De Rebus (the SA attorneys’ journal) as well as Without Prejudice and Polity.org (legalbriefs). She also writes regularly for various online publications such as Spice4Life, GoGilvah and other mainstream publications such as The Entrepreneur Magazine, Personal Finance Magazine and has a regular slot on SAfm’s The Law Report with Karen Key and RSG’s Rand en Sent.
Mrs Schoeman – Louw lectured at the University of the Free State during her postgraduate studies and currently presents seminars and workshops on a wide range of legal topics for various organizations such as UnitedSucces, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business, Retail and Marketing Indabas.
Mrs Schoeman – Louw has won a number of prestigious awards for her academic achievements. Among others, they include the:
- Hofmeyr Herbstein Gihwala Inc. Prize
- Gildenhuys van der Merwe Prize
- Juta Prize
- The Bobbert Medal (for obtaining her LLB degree cum laude)
In addition to her academic achievements, Mrs Schoeman – Louw was a finalist in the Professional category of 2012’s Regional Business Achievers’ Awards (RBAA) – Western Cape and was a finalist in 2013 as CEO magazine’s Most Influential Women in Government and Business Africa.
Her professional and other affiliations include:
- Cape Law Society (member number: 13546)
- UnitedSucces
- Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)
- Cape Town Attorneys’ Association
- Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IODSA): 17476335
- Xtraordinary Women (member number: XWCT008)
- Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (member number: 9861)
- Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF)
Mrs Schoeman-Louw has enjoyed the confidence of many successful entrepreneurs (both locally and abroad) over the years and continues to do so. As a trusted advisor she has actively contributed to the successes of many businesses, helped and continues to help many entrepreneurs build lasting legacies.
Ms Arinda Truter
LLB (US)
Associate – Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public
Connect with me on Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn
Areas of expertise:
- Commercial law
- Contract law
- B-BBEE Advice and Planning
- Property law and conveyancing
- Notarial work
- Immigration law
- Drafting Wills
- Administration of Deceased Estates
- Civil litigation
more...
Arinda obtained her LLB degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2013.
During her final year LLB she was accepted into the Listen, Learn and Live Community house, where she was able to positively contribute and impact on her community.
She completed her articles of clerkship at Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc. in Strand. She is now an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, conveyancer and notary public.
Arinda joined the firm as a professional assistant in January 2016, was promoted to Junior Associate in April 2016 and to Associate in June 2017.
Arinda is a positive and energetic person. She is also a quick learner and has a gift for developing innovative solutions to complex legal problems. Arinda is a detail oriented perfectionist able to deliver on agreed deadlines even under pressure. She brings these qualities and unwavering dedication to clients to every client engagement.
Her professional and other affiliations include:
- Cape Law Society (member number: 21139)
- Xtraordinary Women (member number: XWCT200)
- Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (member number: 9861)
- Business Womans’ Association of South Africa (member number: 30743)
- Lionesses of Africa
- Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF)
Mr André Nortjé
LLB (UP)
Junior Associate – Attorney
Connect with me on Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn
Areas of expertise:
- Commercial law
- Contract law
- Labour law
- Construction law
- Drafting Wills
- Administration of Deceased Estates
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Civil litigation
more...
André graduated with an LLB degree from the University of Pretoria in 2014. He is an admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
He commenced with his articles of clerkship in Pretoria, before relocating to Cape Town, and completed his articles at Lamprecht Attorneys in Cape Town.
André joined the firm as a Junior Associate in April 2016.
André has a positive outlook on life. He brings this optimism as well as unwavering loyalty and dedication to every client engagement
His professional and other affiliations include:
- Cape Law Society (member number: 20957)
- Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (member number: 9861)
- Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF)
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Ms Sixolile Timothy
BComm LLB (RU)
Professional Assistant – Attorney
Connect with me on Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn
Areas of expertise
- Commercial Law
- Contract Law
- Drafting of Wills and Trusts
- Administration of Deceased Estates
- Civil Litigation
more...
Sixolile graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and an LLB degree from Rhodes University in 2014. She received the Dean’s List Award for academic excellence. She is admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
She completed her articles with Werksmans Attorneys in Cape Town.
Sixolile joined the firm as a Professional Assistant in September 2017.
She is an enthusiastic and driven person. She is equipped with invaluable communication and organisational skills. She brings her dedication and hard work to every client engagement.
Her professional and other affiliations include:
Our organisational culture is underpinned by a clear set of values while our mission statement defines exactly what our clients can expect every time they deal with our team members.
FIRM VALUES
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MISSION
Drawing on the diversity of our professional expertise and areas of specialisation,
we provide innovative tailored solutions
with the focus on delivering a timely and superior service.
We work on behalf of a wide range of clients – from entrepreneurs who run SMMEs to national and multinational corporates as well as community-based organisations. Our enduring client relationships testify to the excellence of our personal service and our business acumen.
We offer every client the same level of dedicated attention in a working environment that inspires creative thinking, practical solutions – and positive results. Our attention to personal detail is meticulous, even down to including your chosen coffee brand on our extensive refreshment menu.
To ensure financial transparency, we discuss and agree on all our rates upfront. We deliver fully itemised monthly accounts to all our clients. We base our rates for all matters on the guidelines set down by the Cape Law Society and offer a range of fee arrangements to suit our client’s needs.
In addition, we offer a range of convenient payment methods including an in – office debit/credit card facility. Furthermore, we offer an online payment facility which offers clients convenient access to Payfast – please contact us to arrange this. We also offer options where your trust deposit may earn you interest pending finalisation of your matter with us.
We offer our clients a range of value-added services and have forged valuable strategic alliances with various providers so that our clients may have access to trusted providers and practical solutions. These are founded within the corner stones of the ethos with which the legal profession is governed. For a comprehensive list of these affiliations and our recommendations please see our recommendations page.
Certifications:
- We are Women-Owned and WeConnect International certified
- BBBEE Level 4 contributor
- Unashamedly ethical certified
About the firm’s Leadership
Historical background
The firm was established in 2007 by the then 24 year old, Ms Nicolene Schoeman (now Mrs Nicolene Schoeman – Louw). She is a passionate Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public originally from the Free State.
Nicolene started small as a single Practitioner under the style and banner of Schoeman Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public from 2007 to 2012. In 2012 (the firm still trading as a sole proprietorship) expanded its professional staff compliment and became known as Schoeman Attorneys, Conveyancers and Notaries Public.
In 2013 the firm reached a great milestone in its expansion and incorporation as SchoemanLaw Inc.
From November 2013 to November 2014 it was known as Schoemanlaw Inc t/a Schoeman Attorneys, Conveyancers and Notaries Public and then, Schoeman Tshaka Attorneys, Conveyancers and Notaries Public.
In December 2014, the firm did away with its trading name and since then has been trading simply as SchoemanLaw Inc. Since then, the firm has become known for its commitment to uncompromising quality and client value – added service. In addition to being known as the preferred law firm for entrepreneurs.
Nicolene has always been very outspoken about her beliefs in the need to create and sustain value- driven businesses in South Africa. It is therefore no surprise that the firm has successfully transitioned and evolved under Nicolene’s dedicated leadership as well as that of the firm’s leadership and management team.
Distinguishing factor – why value driven business? This is Nicolene’s story
I started the firm SchoemanLaw Inc when I was 24 years old.
I developed a passion for the law within the first few days in my first year at University. The driving factor for my belief that diversity creates powerful businesses and grows an economy was probably the reason why my LLM thesis focused on B-BBEE and commercial law.
When I came to Cape Town in 2007, I had the opportunity to start my own firm and I took it. I saw the potential (although not ideal circumstances given my young age) that anything was possible and that I could create a business where there would be a focus on empowerment and growth of the individual so that we could facilitate making tangible differences both internally and externally.
It would be this belief that nothing is impossible that would drive me to always be aware of the latest trends and best practices so that our clients truly get innovative and tailored solutions. In addition it gave me the tenacity and perseverance to overcome the challenges inherent to any business and also enables me to advise other entrepreneurs and clients with considered legal guidance and good business sense. That is why we describe our offering as entrepreneurial – out of the proverbial box, innovative and tailored to the needs of the client involved.
At the core of it all the vision is far greater than me, we believe we are able to not only add value to our clients and help them or their organisations grow – but also through their success do a small part in ensuring additional economic participation in South Africa.
I am driven by the core values of honesty, integrity and hard work and have handpicked a team with similar values. I am accountable for my actions and for true authenticity and transparency – these core characteristics are fundamental in my personal belief system or else I would not be authentic in integrating them in into my business ethos. I have declined work that would have comprised these values that I live by. As attorneys we are trained to set the example and to uphold justice. These values are considered our guiding compass at the firm which we apply continuously and at all times in order to work towards our core vision.
My journey as a young female business owner has personally been very challenging, but also the most rewarding endeavour I have ever embarked upon. It has taught me many valuable lessons I would not have found in any article or textbook. I have found this extremely useful when serving entrepreneurs and in realising our vision.
What is it like to work at SchoemanLaw? As a Client what are you actually investing in?
The Firm's Ethos
SchoemanLaw Inc is a value driven business and each member of our team is important to us. As a business we are not only value driven in our external relations with colleagues, clients and stakeholders, but equally important, also from within. Because this holds true, we aim in making a tangible difference internally by ensuring that all our staff has equal opportunity in:
- Activities that encourage personal and professional growth,
- Opportunities that provide continuous learning and upskilling,
- Leadership development of all staff on all levels, and
- To become the best at their own particular job function.
Accordingly, all our staff have access to, and are encouraged to partake in:
- Regular training opportunities (both internally and externally) – fully or partially funded by the firm,
- Exposure to various fields of law and legal practice in an environment where senior attorneys actively guide, monitor and oversee client work to ensure the best and highest quality is delivered to the client,
- Actively participate in various forums within which staff are able to contribute to decision – making and policy creation,
- To utilise a transparent and open forum policy through which staff are able to voice concerns and to make recommendations to management,
- Annual individual professional goalsetting and support in achieving individually set goals,
- Regular performance monitoring and constructive feedback to aid professional development and improvement,
- Regular team building and staff functions,
- Writing for various academic and main stream publications and radio opportunities,
- Weekly book club meetings.
Team Testimonials
The firm’s mission, vision and values are not just “nice to haves” for marketing purposes. We truly live it and incorporate it into our daily working environment as well as with all our dealings with clients and third parties. We also prescribe to the same code of ethics as individuals.
Compared to where I have worked before, SchoemanLaw has a very progressive and innovative approach to practicing law. Our clients are truly our number one priority and regardless of the type of matter being handled for a client each client enjoys individual dedicated service. We truly provide clients with the standards of innovative and tailor-made solutions which may be expected from large corporate law firms, but without the associated price tag.
I have found my home here at SchoemanLaw and colleagues that have become my extended family.
At SchoemanLaw we are a close knit team. I have grown so much in such a short period of time and with all the tools that I am getting at SchoemanLaw, I know I am on the path to excel. It is a great honour working for SchoemanLaw and being part of Nicolene’s team, she is a remarkable woman.
Working for SchoemanLaw is great! You get so many opportunities – here you can truly excel. You feel free to give your everything every day!
It is a great environment to work in! I have learned so much here. What is best for me is that I now know, anyone can be a leader.Here there are always new opportunities to learn more. Management has and is always open to new ideas to make things easier and more efficient.
Since joining SchoemanLaw I have grown so much as a professional and individual. I have learned even more than I learned during my articles and continue to do so every day.
Here, diversity really is a strength, I have seen this in action. I say this because the people I work with have contributed to my learning and growth. I have learnt from each of them, both from a legal perspective as well as in human relationships. Since making the conscious decision to learn from everything I do, one appreciates every opportunity even more. I find meaning and value in my time spent at work.
I count myself as fortunate to be able to work at a place where I can learn, while still be able to have a balanced work/personal life, as the latter will remain my largest motivation to keep learning, expanding knowledge, and grow. I can honestly say that I have made friends here, and this is not something anyone should take for granted.
