On 11 February 2026, the Joburg office held its annual Pro Bono Award Ceremony to thank the legal professionals who went the extra mile in 2025 to assist the poor and vulnerable. The event was generously hosted by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in their Sandton auditorium.
We were honoured to have Justice Albie Sachs give a very moving and heartfelt keynote address.
“In sharing some of his experiences under Apartheid, he said it is important to remember how much has changed since those times, and that much will still change in the years to come, hopefully for the better.”
2025 Johannesburg Pro Bono Awards
🏆 Child Law
Award: Chantal Christofi-Brites of Farinha, Ducie, Christofi Attorneys
Special Mentions: Elmari Richter of Van Velden-Duffey Inc. Rustenburg, Elgene Roos of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc. and Kruger Engelbrecht Attorneys
🏆 Labour Law
Award: Adv Evelyn Mogolane
Special Mentions: Maponya Attorneys and Ronelda Cooray of RVS Attorneys
🏆 Family Law
Award: Maponya Attorneys
Special Mentions: Madiba & Co and Ricki Starke
🏆 Domestic Violence
Award: Fasken
Special Mentions: Adv. Mpho Hlahane and Adv. Ntombi Mpofu
🏆 Housing
Award: Themba Khumalo, Eversheds Sutherland
Special Mentions: The Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr team of Gift Xaba and Pabetsi Letsoalo; and Bowmans
🏆 Strategic Litigation
Award: Bowmans
🏆 Deceased Estates
Award: Adv Boitumelo Rampete
Special Mention: The Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr team of Emily West, Danine Steyn, Ashleigh Solomons and Sian Williams
🏆 Deeds & Conveyancing
Award: Chipu Attorneys and Conveyancers
Special Mentions: Masetshaba Modise of Mashitisho Attorneys and Douglas Tatham of Norton Rose Fulbright SA Inc., Durban
🏆 Community Advice Office
Award: Tumi Mthombeni of the Thusang Morwalo Advice Office in Kagiso
🏆 Most Interesting Webinars
Jacques Marais, Marlie Roode and Lara Bezuidenhoudt of Fasken
🏆 The Most High Impact Case
Tumisang Mngase and Chigo Mabila of DLA Piper Attorneys
🏆 The Most Active Newcomers
Mathiba M Attorneys, Gumede N Attorneys and Attorney Di Gibson.
It was noted that these are all sole practitioners!
🏆 Refugees Award
Ntokozo Gumede of Gumede N Attorneys
Special Mentions: Virginia Sekgothe of VS Attorneys, and Fasken
🏆 Advocate Award
The Johannesburg Society of Advocates
🏆 Best All-Rounder
Fasken
🏆 Outstanding Student at a University Law Clinic
Devon Nyl, University of Pretoria Law Clinic
🌟 Special Awards for Client Support
- A B Moosa, Avalon Cinema Group
- The Empire Partner Foundation
- The Spar Group
- Spiritual Chords
- Ashraful Aid
- Consortium for Refugees & Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA)
Congratulations to all these worthy firms and individuals who make our work possible. Grateful thanks to our sponsors: Spier and AJS Business Management Systems, to our MC Jack Devnarain, and to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc. Special thanks to our Communications Volunteer, Precious Masenya, who worked very hard to help make this event such a success.
