Synergy Advocates Group
Synergy Advocates is a group of independent and specialist advocates providing advocacy and specialist legal services across a wide range of areas of the law.
The multidisciplinary expertise within Synergy Advocates Group enables it to deal with a variety of legal matters, including those of a complex nature and bridging a number of areas of the law.
We invite instructions in court cases and advisory work in all jurisdictions around South Africa. The members of Synergy Advocates Group are capable of dealing with instructions on an urgent basis, to provide telephonic and/or electronic advice as well as draft court processes at short notice.
In striving to meet our clients’ best interests, Synergy Advocates Group offers its instructing attorneys and clients independent advocacy and legal advice of an excellent quality.
Synergy Advocates Group
Synergy Advocates is a group of independent and specialist advocates providing advocacy and specialist legal services across a wide range of areas of the law.
The multidisciplinary expertise within Synergy Advocates Group enables it to deal with a variety of legal matters, including those of a complex nature and bridging a number of areas of the law.
We invite instructions in court cases and advisory work in all jurisdictions around South Africa. The members of Synergy Advocates Group are capable of dealing with instructions on an urgent basis, to provide telephonic and/or electronic advice as well as draft court processes at short notice.
In striving to meet our clients’ best interests, Synergy Advocates Group offers its instructing attorneys and clients independent advocacy and legal advice of an excellent quality.
The members of Synergy Advocates Group specialise and practise in the fields of:
- Arbitration, dispute resolution and mediation
Administrative law
Banking and financial law
Civil litigation
Commercial law
Company law
Competition law
Contractual law
- Corporate governance
Criminal law
Curatorships
Family and Matrimonial law
Insolvency law
Labour law
Law of delict
- Medical negligence and malpractise
- Outdoor advertising
Personal injury
Property law
The members of Synergy Advocates Group specialise and practise in the fields of:
- Arbitration, dispute resolution and mediation
Administrative law
Banking and financial law
Civil litigation
Commercial law
Company law
Competition law
Contractual law
- Corporate governance
Criminal law
Curatorships
Family and Matrimonial law
Insolvency law
Labour law
Law of delict
- Medical negligence and malpractise
- Outdoor advertising
Personal injury
Property law
Adv Koos van Vuuren SC
082-701-4156
Focus areas: Koos was admitted as Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1975 and was granted Silk in 2003.
He has extensive and wide ranging experience in criminal law.
Qualifications:
Adv Sita Kolbé SC
083-325-7451
Focus areas: Sita started practice at the Johannesburg Bar in 1981 She has been Senior Counsel for more than 10 years and is a criminal law specialist.
She has acted as a judge in the Gauteng Division, Johannesburg on numerous occasions.
Sita was the judge in the so-called Sunday rapist matter.
Qualifications:
Adv HB Marais SC
083-441-5429
Focus areas:
- General practice, excluding criminal and labour law
Qualifications:
- B.Com LL.B (RAU) Awarded Silk in 2009
HB Marais is an advocate and founding member of Innovation Legal. He has practised as an advocate at the Johannesburg Bar since 1982 in wide ranging fields of law. He has often acted as a judge and sat as an arbitrator. Moreover, he has appeared pro bono in a number of public interest matters.
He is of the view that, by reason of a combination of the benefit of technological advances and the restrictions brought about by the covid pandemic, the manner in which law is practised has and will continue to evolve rapidly – this is the time for innovation, he shouts!
He accepts the role as one of the leaders and co-ordinators, who are to ensure a well-balanced collection of like minded practitioners, who, in turn, would be able to outmanoeuvre the field in the best interest of their clients, their attorneys and themselves, alike.
Adv Terry-Lynne Killops
082-852-3002
Focus areas:
- Family & Matrimonial Law
- Mediation
- Children
- Civil litigation
- Curatorship
- Contract
Qualifications:
- BA (WITS), LLB (RAU)
Terry-Lynne Killops is an advocate involved in High Court and Lower Court litigation, including inter alia Regional Court, Children’s Court and Maintenance Court. She has served as Acting Judge in the South Gauteng High Court on various occasions and was appointed as an Expert in Family Law for Divorce in Australia.
Advocate Killops has sat as Commissioner of the Small Claims Court since 2014, is a trained Mediator, and was appointed a mentor by the South African Charter of International Association of Women Judges Mentorship Program (2018 to 2020).
Whilst studying LLB, she managed litigation for a Construction and Earthworks company. She has also appeared as a radio guest presenter on various topics of Family Law.
Advocate Killops believes that the Innovation Legal model epitomises the progressive trend to providing suitable latitude when dealing with clients, attorneys, and the Courts. It is aligned with the modern legal environment shaped by the launch of CaseLines.
The shift from in person consultation to online, underscores this break from tradition and makes the Counsel immediately accessible. Clients and witnesses, no matter where they are, get the same level of service as an in-person consultation, but without the cost of travel. Judges have already heard evidence via video link, and the Innovation Legal model expands on this trend.
Adv Tanya Eichner-Visser
082-743-2746
Focus areas:
- Matrimonial law
- Commercial law
- Curatorships
Qualifications:
- B.Iuris LLB ( Unisa)
Tanya Eichner-Visser worked as a cabin attendant for SAA International while studying. Before that she obtained a National Diploma in Communications and working in marketing.
She is qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales. Tanya also presented 4 years in a row at the annual Clarks Law conference specifically on the latest developments in case law.
She Selected to attended a judicial training course and has Acted as a Judge in the Gauteng division.
Advocate Eichner-Visser represented clients in the capacity as junior counsel with Senior counsel on several occasions, earning her red bag.
Adv John Kayser
082-575-7005
Focus areas:
- Adjectival law (interdicts & civil procedure)
- Administrative law, appeals & reviews
- Commercial (business, contract, insolvency & consumer)
- Criminal (armed robbery, murder, rape, fraud & theft)
- Delictual (traffic accidents, personal injury & negligence)
- Family (children, curatorship, divorce, domestic violence & deceased estates)
- Labour (disciplinary & unfair dismissal)
- Property (alienation, land disputes, lease & eviction)
Qualifications:
- BA LLB (Rhodes)
John Kayser is counsel in general litigation practice at the Bar in Johannesburg. He has acted in 464 matters with a 70% success rate to date (April 2024) as follows:
- 75 Adjectival law matters (interdicts, civil procedure)
- 35 Administrative law matters, appeals & reviews
- 106 Commercial & contractual matters (business, contract, insolvency, consumer)
- 36 Criminal matters (fraud & theft, murder, rape, armed robbery)
- 101 Delictual matters (road accidents, personal injury, negligence)
- 71 Family law matters (children, curatorship, divorce, domestic violence, estates)
- 33 Labour matters (disciplinary, unfair dismissal)
- 7 Property matters (alienation, land disputes, eviction, lease)
John first developed an interest in law when he clerked for Judges Norman Addleson, Sextus de Wet and Mike Theale Stewart in Grahamstown in 1975.
Upon graduating from Rhodes University in 1980 – BA (English, Law & Economics) – John pursued a 22-year career in marketing, sales, management and consultancy roles mainly in the Information Technology (IT) industry in South Africa and the UK. He returned to SA in 2000 where his final role was IT Director of Rhodes University in Grahamstown.
John was called to the Bar in Grahamstown in April 2003, where he commenced pupillage with the Eastern Cape Society of Advocates at St George’s Chambers which he completed with Group 21, a constituent group of the Johannesburg Societies of Advocates.
John practised as a member of Group 16 from 2003 to 2006 before returning to the Eastern Cape for family reasons, where he practised as a member of Equity House, Grahamstown from 2006 to 2015.
John co-founded Benmore Advocates NPC in Sandton with Stanley Pincus SC in late 2014. He resigned as a director in early 2016 when the then leadership pursued a course of action with which he disagreed that ultimately lead to the group’s demise in early 2017.
In 2016, John founded Grayston Chambers (Pty) Ltd, based in Benmore Road, Sandton, which he led as head of chambers until 2023. Grayston Chambers was on the cusp of long-term success when the covid pandemic intervened. At the time, the group had 57 members, 54 of whom were black. Unfortunately, a significant number were of less than 5 years seniority and unable to weather the financial storm.
John has long been an advocate for change as law is one of the last economic sectors to adapt to the advantages offered by the effective implementation of IT, and the change in the regulatory landscape brought about by the creation of the Legal Practice Council.
Adv Gary Ferrar
063-372-2893
Focus areas: General litigation, civil, matrimonial, commercial and criminal. Opposed motion court work. High and Magistrates Court. Arbitration matters.
Qualifications:
- B Juris LLB (PU for CHE)
Originally hailing from the Northwest, Gary completed his military service at 1 Parachute Battalion before embarking on a career in the mining industry. However, Gary’s thirst for knowledge and growth led him to further his studies at PU for CHE, where he obtained a B Juris and postgraduate LLB.
After completing his studies, Gary made the decision to relocate to Johannesburg, where he has been practicing as an advocate since 2003.
Throughout his career, Gary has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a passion for justice. His background in the military and the mining industry has provided him with a unique perspective that he brings to his legal practice.
His journey from the military to the mines to the world of law is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to his craft.
Adv Ettian Raubenheimer
082-571-5194
Focus areas: Litigation, Alternative Dispute resolution, Commercial Law, Financial Law, Labour Law
Qualifications:
- BLC (UP)
- LLB (Unisa)
- LLM (Unisa)
- MBA (Newport)
Ettian Raubenheimer has practised as an Advocate for fifteen years, and before that he was an attorney and notary public. He has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution modes, especially in mediation and arbitration.
He has international experience in the development of contractual frameworks for telecommunications and commodities operations, as well as compiling peace and reconciliation frameworks for regional governments.
Another area of expertise is in restructuring of corporate board functioning, corporate governance, director induction and creation of governance frameworks for various companies. He is a Member of the Executive Management Team of various companies and training institutions.
Ettian has comprehensive training experience in the development and implementation of internationally benchmarked curricula, has lectured at tertiary level, and carried out corporate training as a facilitator and accredited assessor and moderator.
In his opinion, the legal sector is now in a disruptive phase that could last for a couple of years, after which it will enter a consolidation phase during which the practice of law will substantially change.
Innovation Legal is at the forefront of this disruptive phase with its innovative and effective approach to the provision of legal services and the access thereto.
Adv Shawn Meyer
082-902-4434
Focus areas: Medical Negligence, Personal Injury, Corporate Governance, Training of experts for ethical CPD points, Practice Management as a Consultant
Qualifications:
- BProc (RAU),
- LLB (UJ),
- Mediation Certificate in Medical Negligence (UCT, through MiM)
Shawn Meyer is an Advocate and trained medical negligence mediator. He was selected for the advanced advocacy training program in 2017. His work ethic is grounded in fairness and equality, and getting the best possible and ethical outcome for a client.
He has acted for both plaintiff and defendant firms, although most of his work was for defendants, defending companies and acting for the insured.
Before the formation of Innovation Legal, Shawn had a senior position in the litigation department of a Government institution. Prior to that, he was a senior litigation attorney specialising in all injury claims at a defendant law firm.
Shawn’s opinion is that the legal sector is moving away from the adversarial basis to a more inclusive and hospitable, friendly solution-driven basis. Mediation and arbitration will largely displace litigation, with mediation being more widely used than arbitration.
As a Director of Innovation Legal, Shawn is committed to delivering exception and innovative legal counsel to his clients.
Adv Charleen de la Hunt
072-724-9885
Focus areas: General practice, including Arbitration, Civil Litigation, Commercial Law, Company and Insolvency Law. Outdoor Advertising. Labour Law. Drafting expert
Qualifications:
- LL.B University of Johannesburg
Charleen de la Hunt started practicing as Advocate at the Johannesburg Bar in 2008. She is a co-founder of Innovation Legal. She firmly believes that the practice of Law, when done effectively, is as much an art as a skill.
She does not believe that the legal sector is necessarily evolving; but rather that those who needed the Law in the past, but were denied it, are finally given access to the Law. She feels that the Law is meant to serve and exist for the people; not the people for the Law, and she wants to help breach that gap.
Charleen believes Innovation Legal was created because too many rules stifled innovation. They strive to minimize the boundaries that prevent or limit access to legal assistance and services.
Their aim is not merely to assist and/or resolve a client’s legal predicament, it is also to educate those in need to be prepared for future legal battles of the same nature. Innovation Legal will meet those who need their assistance halfway, as opposed to expecting them to make the entire journey by themselves.
Adv Shaun McTurk
083-256-5561
Focus areas: Property Law (Body Corporate, Homeowners Associations and Commercial Leases), Consumer Law (Motor Car Dealerships), Commercial and Contractual litigation, Insolvency Law, Family Law and general litigation.
Qualifications:
- BCom Business Management (Potchefstroom University),
- LLB (North West University)
- Practiced as Attorney: 2010
- Admitted as Advocate: 2011
Notable matters:
- Stenersen and Tulleken Administration CC v Linton Park Body Corporate and Another (A3034/2018) [2019] ZAGPJHC 387; 2020 (1) SA 651 (GJ) (24 October 2019)
- Motus Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Another v Wentzel (1272/2019) [2021] ZASCA 40; [2021] 3 All SA 98 (SCA) (13 April 2021)
- Corub Property (Pty) Ltd v Barbuzano (427/2022) [2023] ZASCA 89 (8 June 2023)
- Naicker v Hyundai Automotive South Africa t-a Hyundai Umhlanga (NCT/219112/2022/75(1)(b)) [2022] ZANCT 64 (20 December 2022)
- Sahadeo v Hyundai Automotive South Africa (Pty) Ltd T/A Hyundai Ethekwini (NCT/178924/2021/75(1)(b)) [2022] ZANCT 58 (28 October 2022)
- C[….] v C[….] (A3008/2020) [2021] ZAGPJHC 582 (22 September 2021)
- Body Corporate of Le Grande Bernard Sectional Scheme v Van Der Linde (A3043/2021) [2022] ZAGPJHC 16 (25 January 2022)
Adv Tertius Steyn
082-922-9120
Focus areas: General civil and labour law litigation practice
Qualifications:
- LL.B (RAU),
- Advanced Mediation Certificate (UCT Law @ Work)
