Judi Hayes
Director and Founder
- Email judi@themis.co.za
Judi Hayes obtained her BA (Law) LLB degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 1999. She was admitted as an attorney in March 2002 and as a conveyancer in September 2003. From January 2003 she was employed as an associate and conveyancer at a sole proprietorship. Judi specialises in conveyancing and other property matters.
Expertise includes
- Conveyancing Services
- Notary Services
- Property Law
Jeanelize Fitzgerald
Director and Founder
- Email jeanelize@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Jeanelize completed her BA (Law) LLB at the University of Stellenbosch in 2000 and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2003, after completing her articles of clerkship with Bowman Gilfillan Inc. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Income Tax from the University of Cape Town. She is an admitted Solicitor in England and Wales and worked for HM Customs and Excise as a lawyer in their Asset Forfeiture Taskforce in 2003 and 2004. Upon her return to South Africa in 2005, she joined Hofmeyr Herbstein Gihwala as an associate attorney in the firm’s commercial department. Jeanelize specialises in commercial law, with a specific focus on property development related transactions.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Property Law
- Community Schemes
Suma de Bruyn
Director and Founder
- Email suma@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Suma de Bruyn completed her BCom (Law) LLB degree with the University of Stellenbosch in 2000. During 2001, she worked in the legal department of PSG Investment Bank Limited and attended the Part-time Legal Practical School at the University of Cape Town. From 2002, she was employed at Hofmeyr Herbstein Gihwala Inc and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in February 2003. Suma was employed as an associate attorney and later a senior associate in the commercial department before co-founding Themis Law Chambers in 2006. Suma also holds a Higher Certificate in Financial Markets and Instruments and a Higher Diploma in Income Tax from the University of Cape Town. Suma specialises in commercial law.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Property Law
- Wills and Estates
Riaan Meintjes
Director
- Email riaan@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Riaan completed his B.Soc.Sci. LLB with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1994. He then spent three years in the United States, where he completed his MBA (cum laude) at Oregon State University during 1996. Upon his return to South Africa, he commenced his articles of clerkship with Hofmeyr Herbstein Gihwala Inc in 1998 and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2000. Riaan became a director of Hofmeyr Herbstein Gihwala Inc in 2006 and remained a director after the firm merged with Cliffe Dekker Inc to become Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc.
Riaan joined Themis Law Chambers in 2011 to lead the litigation department of Hayes Incorporated. He specialises in commercial and property-related litigation, with particular expertise in town and land use planning matters and lease disputes. During his career, Riaan has provided legal advice to financial service providers, parastatals, insurance companies, government institutions and numerous corporations, including national public companies.
Expertise includes
- Administrative Law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
- Commercial, Property and General Litigation
Farahnaaz Akherwaray
Director
- Email farahnaaz@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Farahnaaz completed her LLB degree with the University of Cape Town in 2006 and thereafter attended the University of Cape Town’s School for Legal Practice. She completed her articles of clerkship with Hayes Incorporated in 2011 and was subsequently admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa. Farahnaaz specialises in commercial law, with a particular focus on lending and financing.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Lending and Financing
- Wills and Estates
Hugo van Heerden
Director
- Email hugo@themis.co.za
Hugo van Heerden completed his BA (Law) LLB with the University of Stellenbosch in 2000 and was admitted as an attorney in 2003. He completed his LLM with the University of South Africa in 2005 and has also completed an Advanced Short Course in Business Rescue Practice.
Hugo has extensive experience in commercial litigation and specialises in insolvency law, liquidations, business rescue, corporate recovery and cross border insolvencies. He advises commercial banks, local and multinational private clients in various commercial litigation and insolvency proceedings. His practice is distinguished by a strategic, commercially focused approach to resolving high-value and complex legal disputes.
Expertise includes
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
- Commercial, Property and General Litigation
- Insolvency and Business Rescue
Taryn Calmeyer
Director
- Email taryn@themis.co.za
Taryn completed her BJuris LLB degree at the University of Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) in 2000 and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2003, after completing her articles with Webber Wentzel. During 2006 and 2007, Taryn worked as an attorney at the London firm Slaughter & May. She returned to South Africa in 2007 to take up a position as a senior associate and then director in the corporate commercial team of ENS Africa. From 2011 to 2017, Taryn consulted for an independent consultancy Caveat Legal before joining Themis at the beginning of 2018. Taryn specialises in corporate and commercial law.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Amy Farish
Director
- Email amy@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Amy obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Law in 2012 and her LLB degree in 2014 from the University of Cape Town. Amy joined Hayes Incorporated as a candidate attorney in 2015. She completed her articles of clerkship with Hayes Incorporated in January 2017 and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa. In 2019, Amy obtained her LLM degree, specialising in commercial law, from the University of Cape Town. Amy specialises in corporate and commercial law, with a particular focus on property transactions and corporate and fund structuring.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Property Law
- Corporate and Fund Structuring
Noelle Greeff
Director
- Email noelle@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Noelle completed her LLB degree at the University of Stellenbosch, during which time she also spent six months at the University of Bern on exchange, studying various aspects of international law. Noelle obtained her LLB degree in 2014. Noelle subsequently obtained her LLM degree in 2015 at the University of Stellenbosch, where she focused on commercial law and trust law. She worked as a research assistant in the mercantile law department at the University of Stellenbosch’s law faculty while completing her LLM. Noelle completed her articles of clerkship with Hayes Incorporated and was admitted as an attorney in 2018. During 2019, Noelle completed an Advanced Short Course in Business Rescue Practice, and in 2020 she was also admitted as a Notary Public. Noelle specialises in corporate and commercial law, with particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and Companies Act compliance.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Notary Services
- Property Law
Megan Farish
Director
Megan Farish obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Law in 2012 and her LLB degree in 2013 from the University of Cape Town. She completed her articles of clerkship in Johannesburg in 2016 and was subsequently admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2019. Megan joined Hayes Incorporated as an associate in June 2017 and was appointed as a director in January 2025. Megan specialises in commercial and civil litigation.
Expertise includes
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
- Commercial, Property and General Litigation
Michelle Evans
Director
Michelle Evans obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics with Law in 2014 and her LLB (cum laude) in 2016 from the University of Cape Town. She spent 2017 working in the United States and commenced her articles of clerkship with Hayes Inc in 2018. Michelle was admitted as an attorney in February 2020. In 2021, she obtained her LLM from the University of Cape Town, specialising in commercial law. Michelle specialises in corporate and commercial law, with a particular focus on financing transactions and commercial structuring.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Lending and Financing
- Property Law
Leoné Oosthuizen
Director
- Email leone@themis.co.za
Leoné obtained her BA (Law) and postgraduate LLB degrees from the University of Stellenbosch in 2013 and 2015 respectively. She thereafter attended the L.E.A.D. School for Legal Practical at the University of Cape Town, which she completed cum laude as the top student for 2016. Leoné joined STBB as a candidate attorney in 2017 and was admitted as an attorney and conveyancer in 2018. She continued practicing law at STBB for nine years, first as an associate and then as a senior associate, where she specialised in property development transactions. Leoné joined Themis Law Chambers as a director in 2026, where she continues to specialise as a conveyancer in property developments and a wide range of property-related transactions.
Expertise includes
- Conveyancing Services
Neil Crompton
Financial Manager
- Email neil@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Neil obtained his Master of Business Administration, with a focus on Finance and Economics, from the University of Cape Town in 2017. He further strengthened his academic foundation through advanced professional training in financial modelling, valuation and risk analytics.
Throughout his career, Neil has held senior finance leadership roles across the investment and technology sectors in multiple international jurisdictions. He has built a strong track record in financial strategy, risk management and performance reporting, and has designed and executed large-scale funding models, governance frameworks and analytical systems that support data-driven decision-making and long-term value creation.
Neil is the Financial Manager at Themis Law Chambers, where he oversees financial performance, capital planning and financial governance. Passionate about innovation, he continues to bridge finance and technology to drive operational excellence, strategic clarity and sound financial stewardship across the organisation.
Emma Kaplan
Senior Associate
- Email emma@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Emma completed her LLB at the University of Cape Town in 2020. She then completed her LLM, specialising in dispute resolution, in 2021, also at the University of Cape Town. Emma commenced her Practical Vocational Training at Hayes Incorporated in January 2022. She was admitted as an Attorney and Notary Public in February 2024. Emma is a senior associate specialising in commercial law.
Expertise includes
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
- Corporate and Commercial Law
Margot Basson
Senior Associate
- Email margot@themis.co.za
Margot obtained both her BCom Law undergraduate degree, majoring in Economics, and her postgraduate LLB degree from Stellenbosch University. After completing her articles of clerkship at Boy Louw Incorporated in Paarl, she joined Solaris Law as an Associate in the Corporate, Commercial and Tax Department in 2023, where she was promoted to Senior Associate in September 2025. After consulting independently, with her primary client being a tech startup in Mauritius, she joined Themis Law Chambers in May 2026 as a Senior Associate. Margot specialises in commercial law.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Nic Moss
Associate
- Email nic@themis.co.za
Nic completed his LLB at the University of Cape Town in 2020, graduating magna cum laude and third in his class. During 2021, Nic worked as a teaching assistant in the private law department at UCT, teaching contract law and comparative legal history. Nic completed his articles at DML Law Inc. in Cape Town in 2024, gaining experience in the litigation and commercial departments. Nic is an associate specialising in commercial law.
Expertise includes
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Legal Research
Roald Furstenberg
Associate
- Email roald@themis.co.za
Roald completed his LLB at the University of Stellenbosch, where he graduated cum laude and was awarded the Stellenbosch Law Faculty’s “Top Academic Achiever” award for the top overall performance across all LLB programmes in 2023. Roald completed his Practical Vocational Training with Hayes Incorporated and was admitted as an attorney in February of 2026. Roald is an associate specialising in commercial law.
Angelique Kruger
Associate
- Email angelique@themis.co.za
Angelique completed her BCom (Law) degree in 2019 and her LLB degree in 2021 at Stellenbosch University. She then completed her LLM at Utrecht University in the Netherlands in 2023. Angelique completed her Practical Vocational Training with Hayes Incorporated and was admitted as an Attorney in November 2025. Angelique is an associate specialising in commercial law.
Annie Bansi
Associate
- Email annie@themis.co.za
Annelisa (“Annie”) completed her LLB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2021. She then commenced her Practical Vocational Training at Adams & Adams, a firm specialising in Intellectual Property, in 2022. Annie was admitted as an Attorney and Notary Public in April 2024 and subsequently completed her LLM, specialising in Commercial Law, in 2024.
Before joining Themis Law Chambers, Annie worked as an Associate in the Commercial Department of Garlicke & Bousfield Inc., a KZN law firm where she specialised in Intellectual Property and Commercial Law. Annie is an associate specialising in commercial law.
Meryl Cummings
Company Secretarial Department
- Email meryl@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Meryl completed her Accounting Diploma part-time with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2002, majoring in Company Administration. She has gained 18 years of company secretarial experience working in and heading up the Company Secretarial Departments of five internationally affiliated auditing firms in Cape Town, as well as assisting in the Company Secretarial Business of a private enterprise. Meryl specialises in company secretarial administration, setting up companies and close corporations, and legal compliance for companies and close corporations.
Expertise includes
- Company Secretarial Services
Lori Mc Donald
Company Secretarial Department
- Email lori@themis.co.za
Lori has more than 20 years’ specialised experience in corporate governance, company secretarial services and corporate compliance. She holds a Corporate Law Certification through the Law Society of South Africa and has extensive experience advising clients on governance, compliance and regulatory matters across a range of industries.
Throughout her career, Lori has successfully managed and supported complex corporate transactions, governance projects and compliance initiatives, ensuring adherence to applicable legislative and regulatory requirements. She has developed particular expertise in corporate governance frameworks, company secretarial administration, regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement.
Expertise includes
- Company Secretarial Services
- Trust Administration and Support
- Corporate Governance
Bibi Smit
Senior Conveyancer, Notary and Attorney
- Email bibi@themis.co.za
- LinkedIn View profile (opens in a new tab)
Bibi Smit obtained a B.Proc law degree from UNISA in 1999 and attended the full-time law school in Pretoria, after which she served her articles of clerkship at Blakes Maphanga Incorporated in Johannesburg. She was admitted as an attorney in 2000, a conveyancer in 2001 and a notary in 2002. She headed up the Conveyancing department of the Alberton branch of Blakes Maphanga for close to 14 years and spent an additional three years at a commercial law firm in Sandton, heading up the real estate department. She has broad general conveyancing experience encompassing the full spectrum of conveyancing, from transfers, bonds and bond cancellations to a wide variety of notarial functions.
Expertise includes
- Conveyancing Services
Danielle Bester
Candidate Attorney
- Email danielle@themis.co.za
Danielle holds a BCom (Law) degree and a postgraduate LLB degree from Stellenbosch University. She also completed her BCom (Honours) in Taxation through the University of Cape Town in 2024. Danielle commenced her Practical Vocational Training at Hayes Incorporated in January 2025.
Alexander Kerr
Candidate Attorney
- Email alexander@themis.co.za
Alex holds a BA (Law) degree and a postgraduate LLB degree from Stellenbosch University. Alex commenced his Practical Vocational Training at Hayes Incorporated in January 2025.
Wilmaré Pedro
Candidate Attorney
- Email wilmare@themis.co.za
Wilmaré holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology, Political Science and International Relations, as well as an LLB degree from Stellenbosch University. She commenced her Practical Vocational Training at Hayes Incorporated in January 2026.
Lorinda Louw
Candidate Attorney
- Email lorinda@themis.co.za
Lorinda holds a BCom (Law) degree and a postgraduate LLB degree from Stellenbosch University. Lorinda commenced her Practical Vocational Training at Hayes Incorporated in January 2026.
Andrew Sparks
Candidate Attorney
- Email andrew@themis.co.za
Andrew holds a BA (Law) degree and a postgraduate LLB degree from Stellenbosch University. His interests include insolvency law, intellectual property law and corporate commercial law. Andrew commenced his Practical Vocational Training at Hayes Incorporated in January 2026.