About Us
SchoemanLaw Inc Attorneys, Conveyancers, and Notaries Public, based in Cape Town and Paarl, is a boutique law firm offering a wide range of legal services.
At SchoemanLaw, we know that success is hard-earned. To continue building your business confidently, you need a team of expert legal practitioners who will partner with you to build and protect it.
The problem is, unknowns are part of business and life. Finding a credible and competent legal firm is a costly and time-consuming exercise, which makes you feel anxious and doubtful.
Your matter is as important to us as it is to you. Our team of attorneys are hand-picked and nurtured from the top of their class.
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 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.
The firm has an innovative and entrepreneurial mind-set that distinguishes it from other law firms. We apply our first-hand understanding of the challenges facing entrepreneurs (regardless of their business size) to develop proven, practical solutions incorporating legal compliance, risk aversion, and business sense. With your personal interests in mind, our ultimate aim is to implement measures that protect the results of your hard work as effectively as possible.
We believe that it is important that our solutions are practical, lawful, and make good business sense. For this reason, we also offer various training, content management, and implementation options, regardless of the industry or size of the business involved.
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 Legal Practice Council and offer a range of fee arrangements to suit our clients’ needs.
Certifications:
- BBBEE Level 4 contributor
- South African Legal Partner Centuro Global
Awards:
- Finalist Legal Services Company of the Year FFI-MEA 3rd Anniversary Awards (2023)
- Finalist INT-X Awards 2022: Law Firm of the Year
- Winner WOZA Women in Law Awards 2022: 6+ Women Lawyers
- HiiL Innovating Justice Challenge Class of 2020
- Winner WOZA Women in Law Awards 2019: 6+ Women Lawyers
- Finalist Standard Bank Top Woman Awards Top 2019: Gender Empowered Company: Diversity & Inclusion Award
- Finalist African Legal Awards 2019: Best use of Technology
- Winner Gender Mainstreaming Awards 2018: Unlisted Companies – Women Empowerment in the Workplace
- Finalist 702 Cape Talk Nedbank Business Accelerator 2018
LLB cum laude LLM (UFS) PG Dip FP(US)
Founder | Managing Director
Legal Project Practitioner | Attorney| Conveyancer | Notary Public | Mediator
Click here to arrange a consultation with Nicolene
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Choosing the “right fit” attorney is an important matter! We appreciate this and therefore offer a commitment-free, 30-minute virtual, telephonic or in-person consultation (Paarl Office only) before booking a paid consultation and signing up with us.
Click here to arrange a 30 Minute First Time Free Discovery Call with Nicolene
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Areas of expertise:
- Commercial law
- Contract Drafting
- B-BBEE Advice and Planning
- Construction law
- Mining law
- Technology law
- Insurance law
- Property law and conveyancing
- Notarial work
- Business continuity planning and corporate governance
- Drafting Wills, Trusts and Estate planning
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Civil Litigation
Mrs Nicolene Schoeman – Louw founded the firm in 2007, aged 24, and is now the Managing Director of the firm.
She is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, 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, both 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. Now, she regularly writes for academic publications such as De Rebus (the SA attorneys’ journal) as well as Without Prejudice and Polity.org (legal briefs). She also regularly contributes to various online publications such as Spice4Life and other mainstream publications such as The Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Briefs and Personal Finance Magazine (to name a few).
For over 7 years she presented The Law Report with Karen Key on SAFM, until the show was cancelled. She currently shares her knowledge regularly on radio 786, RSG and other radio stations.
Mrs Schoeman – Louw lectured at the University of the Free State during her studies, presently guest lectures at Stellenbosch Business School and currently presents seminars and workshops on a wide range of legal topics for various organizations such as Bandwidth Barn, UnitedSucces, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business, Retail and Marketing Indabas – to name a few.
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)
Other Awards and Achievements:
- 2012: Finalist in the Professional Category of the Regional Business Achievers’ Awards (RBAA) – Western Cape
- 2013: Finalist as CEO magazine’s Most Influential Women in Government and Business Africa
- 2019: Second Runner-up WOZA Women in Law Awards Corporate Attorney (Practicing)
- 2019: Finalist Standard Bank Topwomen Awards Top Young Achiever Under 40
- 2020: Finalist Accenture Rising Star Awards Entrepreneur Category
- 2022: First Runner-up WOZA Women in Law Awards Best in Corporate Law (Practicing)
- 2023: Winner Legal Personality of the Year 2023 FFI-MEA 3rd Anniversary Award
- 2023: Winner Female Founder Star of the Year 2023 FFI-MEA 3rd Anniversary Awards
Her professional and other affiliations include:
- Legal Practice Council (Western Cape – member number: 13546)
- Member Cape Town Attorneys’ Association
- Mediator Arbitration Foundation of South Africa (AFSA)
- Mediator ADR Network
- Mediator and Arbitrator ADR Access
- International Institute of Legal Project Management – Legal Project Practitioner and Accredited Trainer (member number: 859)
- Accredited Extended DISC Consultant
- Accredited Growthwheel Business Advisor
- Member UnitedSucces
- Alumna Member Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)
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 and helped and continues to help many entrepreneurs build lasting legacies.
Ms Robyn Shepherd
LLB (UWC)
Senior Associate
Legal Project Practitioner | Attorney
Click here to arrange a consultation with Robyn
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Choosing the “right fit” attorney is an important matter! We appreciate this and therefore offer a commitment-free, 30-minute virtual, telephonic or in-person consultation (Paarl Office only) before booking a paid consultation and signing up with us.
Click here to arrange a 30 Minute First Time Free Discovery Call with Robyn.
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Areas of expertise:
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation
- Employment Law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Contract Drafting
- Property Law
- Antenuptial Contracts
- Wills and Deceased Estates
Robyn Shepherd obtained her LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape in 2016. She joined SchoemanLaw Inc as a Professional Assistant in February 2022 and was admitted to practice as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in November 2021.
Robyn is an ambitious professional, driven to provide exceptional support and client services. She is dedicated to maintaining professional standards and ethical work habits.
Her professional and other affiliations include:
Legal Practice Council (member number: 98363)
Mr Ross Hendriks
LLB (UWC)
Senior Professional Assistant – Attorney
Click here to arrange a consultation with Ross
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Choosing the “right fit” attorney is an important matter! We appreciate this and therefore offer a commitment-free, 30-minute virtual, telephonic or in-person consultation (Paarl Office only) before booking a paid consultation and signing up with us.
Click here to arrange a 30 Minute First Time Free Discovery Call with Ross.
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- Civil Litigation
- Labour/ Employment Law
- Family Law
- Antenuptial Contracts
- Property Law
Ross attended the University of the Western Cape and obtained his LL.B degree in 2020. He joined Parker Attorneys during April 2021, and completed his Practical Vocational Training (previously known as Articles of Clerkship) in 2023. During his Practical Vocational Training he assisted in various Magistrate and High Court matters with a focus on General Litigation, Labour Law and Family Law.
Ross was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in August 2023.
Ross’s long-term goal is to become a well-rounded and successful attorney, equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle any legal matter effectively. He aims to provide comprehensive and accurate legal advice alongside exceptional service to his current and future clients. Ross is driven, motivated, and passionate about various legal fields, upholding an unwavering standard of professionalism and quality.
His professional and other affiliations include:
Legal Practice Council (Membership number 108090)
Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Ms Anastacia Willemse
LLB (UWC)
Candidate Attorney
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Choosing the “right fit” attorney is an important matter! We appreciate this and therefore offer a commitment-free, 30-minute virtual, telephonic or in-person consultation (Paarl Office only) before booking a paid consultation and signing up with us.
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Anastacia is a Candidate Attorney at SchoemanLaw Inc. She obtained her LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape in April 2024 and is determined to become an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
She is passionate about delivering practical and efficient legal solutions to her clients, consistently upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Through her work, Anastacia strives to make a meaningful contribution to the legal profession, ensuring that justice is accessible to all and that clients receive exceptional service.
Ms Riaan Basson
LLB (UWC)
Candidate Attorney
Choosing the “right fit” attorney is an important matter! We appreciate this and therefore offer a commitment-free, 30-minute virtual, telephonic or in-person consultation (Paarl Office only) before booking a paid consultation and signing up with us.
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Riaan Basson is a dynamic and driven candidate attorney at SchoemanLaw Inc., bringing energy, passion, and a positive approach to every aspect of his work.
With an accommodating personality and a consistent focus on problem-solving, Riaan excels in tackling challenges with confidence and adaptability.
A graduate of the University of the Western Cape with an LLB degree, Riaan is on a mission to achieve his career goals of becoming an admitted attorney of the High Court, a Notary Public, and a skilled Mediator.
His dedication to law is matched by his strong commitment to serving the community, encouraging Ubuntu and a drive to succeed.
Riaan’s meticulous attention to detail, organisational skills, and open-mindedness empower him to deliver high-quality results. He believes that a task is only complete when it meets his high standards of excellence. His “quality over quantity” mindset ensures every contribution he makes is thoughtful, precise, and impactful.
With a client-first approach, Riaan prioritises comfort and satisfaction, ensuring that every client feels heard and supported. His commitment to fostering trust and delivering exceptional service sets him apart as an emerging leader in the legal field.
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Areas of expertise
- Contract Drafting
- Company Secretarial Services
- Estate Planning
- Wills and Deceased Estates
- Trusts
Hanel obtained her BA Law (LLB) degree from Stellenbosch University in 2020 and has since developed a passion and focus for the intricate world of wills, estates, and trust administration. As a legal consultant who understands the complexities of estate planning from both a Namibian and South African context, Hanel delivers unique practical insight.
Hanel is also a director of D&D Legal, which delivers the highest-quality company secretarial and trust/estate administration services to clients. Together, SchoemanLaw Inc. and D&D Legal can offer a turnkey solution to their respective clients.
SchoemanLaw Inc. deals with all aspects of legal advice and professional legal services, including dispute resolution, whilst D&D Legal is the practical implementation of issues involving company secretarial and trust administration services where required.
With a deep commitment, Hanel guides individuals and families through the complexities of safeguarding legacies and securing prosperous futures. You can trust that you are in capable hands.
His professional and other affiliations include:
Legal Practice Council (Membership number 108538)
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, Notary Public and Mediator, 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, innovative thinking and client value – added service. We are proud to be known as the preferred law firm for entrepreneurs and as the creator of the SME Self-Service Desk and Contracts4biz platform, a unique online legal service for South African SME’s and start-ups.
Nicolene Schoeman-Louw 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 her dedicated leadership as well as that of the firm’s EXCO.
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?
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.
In testimony of our empowerment focus, SchoemanLaw was named the Winner of the Gender Mainstreaming Awards 2018: Unlisted Companies – Women Empowerment in the Workplace. The Women Empowerment in the Workplace award acknowledges organisations that not only have advanced women in their workplaces through training and capacity-building but also have successfully transformed corporate behaviour and practices. Winner Law firm – 6+ or more Women Lawyers 2019 and a finalist for the 2019 Standard Bank Top Woman Awards as the Top Gender Empowered Company: Diversity & Inclusion Award category.
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,
- Monthly book club meetings.
