ABOUT THE FIRM

DAMONS MAGARDIE RICHARDSON ATTORNEYS (DMR), was established in 2004 by lawyers with wide experience in a number of different sectors of the law. The firm is committed to providing high quality legal services to both local and international clients. Through delivering unprecedented service levels and by embracing our core deliverables, we offer our clients a personalised and dynamic service. DMR strives to ensure that its clients achieve their objectives by providing a dedicated, attentive, cost effective and solution-orientated legal service. We pride ourselves on providing a truly personal service to all the needs of our clients. Our focus ensures that our clients receive only the highest quality of legal assistance We are a fully integrated black owned business committed to building strong and trustworthy relationships. We currently hold a level 2 BBBEE Certificate.

WORK PRINCIPLES

In order to ensure that our services meet the requirements of our clients, DMR Attorneys work in specialised teams. Each team leader ensures that attorneys and candidate attorneys understand the specific standard and expert services our clients require. Attorneys and candidate attorneys will report to team leaders on tasks performed. If necessary, team leaders will then take corrective action before draft documents and correspondence are presented to client.

Practice Areas

Corporate & Commercial Contract

This is the focus of our firm and makes up the bulk of work.

Our professionals have been involved in various corporate transactions and have advised, among others, private corporations, banks, parastatals and various government departments. We are therefore in a position to advise and assist all participants in the commercial sector from government departments, entrepreneurs launching new ventures right through to global enterprises.

We draft all manner of commercial contracts including:

• Sale of Business Agreements

• Distribution Agreements

• Shareholders Agreements 

• Loan Agreements

• Non-disclosure Agreements

• Franchise 

• Lease Agreements

• Restraint of Trades 

• Memorandum of Understanding

• Confidentiality Agreements

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Company Secretarial

We are able to assist with the registration of companies, name reservations, issuing of shareholders certificates..

We are able to assist with the registration of companies, name reservations, issuing of shareholders certificates, annual returns submission and general company secretarial administration related to the Commission for Intellectual Property and Companies (CIPC)

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Employment Law

We are well placed to provide clients (whether government departments, employers, employees or unions) with expert advice in relation to all labour related issues.

We cover all employment legislation including the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act, Skills Development Act, Bargaining Council Agreements, Sectorial Determinations, associated subordinated legislation.

We are able to draft all manner of documents related to employment including:

 

• employment contracts;

• employment policies and procedures guidelines

• operational polices 

• disciplinary codes

We are also able to provide clients with assistance in regard to the:

• chairing of disciplinary hearings 

• incapacity hearings and poor work performance investigations

• remuneration

• restraint of trades

• redundancies, restructuring, wage negotiations and industrial actions.

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Intellectual Property Trade Mark & Design

We have extensive experience in all matters that relate to Intellectual Property.

For over 10 years Rory Richardson managed the VIRGIN brand.  Virgin is now one of the most recognisable brands in the world and a fantastic example of how effective brand management can lead to unprecedented business success.

Our expertise in this field includes:

 

• Trade mark applications and renewals

• Design application and renewals

• Copyright advice and protection

• Patent, trade mark, copyright and design litigation and protection

• Licensing

• Franchising

 

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Litigation Arbitration Mediation

Our firm has extensive litigation experience in relation to all our specialist fields.

We are able to assist clients with all manner of litigation in the Magistrates Courts and High Courts of South Africa

It is increasingly becoming the trend worldwide to refer disputes to either mediation or arbitration and South Africa is no exception. This is often far more expedient and cost-effective than litigating through the courts. With our commercial and legal backgrounds, we are suitably qualified either to act as mediators / arbitrators or to assist clients involved in any mediation / arbitration proceedings.

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Estates

What's New

LOCK DOWN EASED WHAT MUST EMPLOYERS DO TO OPEN AND REMAIN OPEN

The Minister of Employment and Labour has on 29 April 2020 published...

LOCK DOWN EASED WHAT MUST EMPLOYERS DO TO OPEN AND REMAIN OPEN

The Minister of Employment and Labour has on 29 April 2020 published..
Read More

Employees Set For Additional Leave

In an amendment to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 published under the Labour Laws Amendment Act 10 of 2018

Employees Set For Additional Leave

In an amendment to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 published under the Labour Laws Amendment Act 10 of 2018
READ MORE

Employment Equity

In terms of the section 53 of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (the Act)

Employment Equity

In terms of the section 53 of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (the Act)
Read More

Business Financially Distressed? Business Rescue under the Companies Act, 2008 may assist!

A provision in the Companies Act, 2008 (the Act) offers assistance to companies that are financially distressed. Under the provisions of the Act

Business Financially Distressed? Business Rescue under the Companies Act, 2008 may assist!

A provision in the Companies Act, 2008 (the Act) offers assistance to companies
Read More

UIF BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE QUARANTINED

The Department of Labour has extended benefits to employees who have been officially quarantined due to the Corona-19 pandemic

UIF BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE QUARANTINED

The Department of Labour has extended benefits to employees who have been officially quarantined due to the Corona-19 pandemic
Read More

The National Minimum Wage Explained

The draft National Minimum Wage Bill has been finally signed into law by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

The National Minimum Wage Explained

The draft National Minimum Wage Bill has been finally signed into law by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
Read More

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE TEMPORARY RELIEF SCHEME COVID-19 LOCK DOWN

The Department of Labour, through the mechanism of the Unemployment Insurance Act

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE TEMPORARY RELIEF SCHEME COVID-19 LOCK DOWN

The Department of Labour, through the mechanism of the Unemployment Insurance Act
READ MORE

ATTORNEYS

Rory Richardson

Rory matriculated from Christian Brothers College (Pretoria) in 1988 and proceeded to obtain his BLC LLB from the University of Pretoria in 1993.

Rory completed his articles at Savage Jooste and Adams Inc. in December 1995 during which time he obtained extensive litigation experience, inter alia, personally conducting numerous criminal and civil magistrate court proceedings. Rory joined the Trade Mark Litigation Department of Adams and Adams in 1996 and successfully passed the SA Institute of IP Law’s Trade Mark Practitioners examinations in October 1996. During his time at A&A, Rory gained extensive legal experience in both IP and commercial legal matters.

In 1997 Rory was offered a position with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group in London, UK. Rory was charged with establishing a Group-wide Intellectual Property Department to manage the entire worldwide VIRGIN trade mark portfolio. During his tenure as IP manager, the department expanded significantly and is now considered a vital part of the governance and oversight of the Virgin Group.  Rory obtained extensive management, commercial and intellectual property experience at Virgin and was heavily involved in virtually all major commercial transactions during his employment with Virgin including:  the disposal of 49% of Virgin Atlantic Airways; the IPO of Virgin Blue Airways (Australia);  the sale of Virgin Megastores in Europe and the launch of over 15 new Virgin branded businesses e.g. Virgin Mobile (UK, Australia, Asia and USA), Virgin Money, Virgin Active and Virgin Cosmetics.

Rory was part of the Senior management team of Virgin Management and was also involved in brand quality control and responsible for drafting and implementing the Virgin brand guidelines.

Rory left Virgin at the end of 2003 to return to his native South Africa. He is now partner at DMR Attorneys specialising in Intellectual Property, Corporate and Commercial Law.

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Simone Magardie

Simone Magardie started her tertiary education in law at the University of Pretoria in 1995. In 1997 she obtained her BLC (Bachelor of Civil Law) degree from the University of Pretoria and in 1999 she obtained her LLB (Bachelor of Law) degree from the same University. Simone further obtained her LLM Degree (Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law) in 2003. Simone was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa on 12 April 2001.

In her capacity as an attorney, Simone currently serves on the panel of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces, she previously served on the panel of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

Simone is currently on the Master of the High Court’s panel as a professional liquidator and curator. In 2004 Simone was involved with the Department of Justice’s Ministerial Committee of Enquiry into the Liquidations Industry in South Africa. She was also a member of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development: Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Minister’s Policy relating to the Liquidation Industry.

Simone is a member of the Black Lawyers Association and the Law Society of the Northern Provinces. She was also the interim vice-chairperson of the South African Insolvency Practitioners Society. 

Simone has been involved in various organizations: in September 2005 she was appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Pretoria as Chancellor of the Anglican Church, Diocese of Pretoria. The roll of a Chancellor within the structure of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa is, inter alia, to advise the Bishop on legal issues concerning the church throughout the Southern African region. In her capacity as such, Simone was also the chairperson of the Church’s Trustees Committee which committee dealt with legal issues in respect of the acquisition and disposal of church properties. She was also a member of the Bishop’s Electoral Advising Committee which committee plays an advisory role with regards to the election and appointment of Bishops. In 2009 Simone was appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Pretoria as Registrar of the Anglican Church, Diocese of Pretoria. She held this position until 2013.   

In January 2016, Simone was invited by the South African Judicial Education Institute to attend a training programme for aspirant judges. The aim of the program is to provide judicial education for aspirant judges so as to enhance their suitability for full time judicial office.  

Simone currently acts as a Judge in the High Court of South Africa.

To book a meeting or for more information, click here…

Lauren

Lauren obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Free State in 2019. She subsequently completed her Master of Laws in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Cape Town in 2020.

Lauren is currently an associate at DMR and has been with the firm since 2022. She was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa on 06 May 2024.

Her passion and expertise include Intellectual Property law and brand protection. She primarily works within the IP department, dealing with the litigation and prosecution portfolios both nationally and internationally. She has also gained experience in High Court and Magistrates’ Court litigation, labour law, wills and deceased estates, and matrimonial law.

Rineke du Toit

Rineke obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree in 2017 from the University of South Africa and is an admitted attorney. She has been a part of the DMR team since 2008 and have gained extensive experience in various fields, including High Court and Magistrate’s Court Litigation. 

Rineke’s main focus areas are Intellectual Property and Company Law. Her practice includes advising clients on the trade mark prosecution and litigation, as well as copyright, unlawful competition, passing-off, domain name disputes and all aspects of company law. She also handles international trade mark protection and prosecution.

Mari Moolman

Mari obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree in 2018 from the University of South Africa. During her period of articles at DMR Attorneys, she gained extensive experience in various fields, inter alia, High Court and Magistrate’s Court practice and procedure and liquidations. 

Mari was admitted as an attorney of the High Court on 11 December 2018 and joined the firm as an assoc

Bridgette Sehlapelo

During the period 2000 – 2016, Bridgette obtained the following qualifications:

LLB (Bachelor of Law)
Certificate in Competition Law
Certificate in Legislative drafting
LLM (Masters in Tax)
MBL (Masters in Business Leadership)

Bridgette was admitted as an attorney in 2002 and joined the firm as an associate on 01 September 2019.

Before joining DMR Attorneys, Bridgette was involved in the financial sector, the postal and communications sector as well as the mining sector.

PARA-PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Zané Lubbe

Samson Matsea

Melver Chivasi

Brooklyn

012 346 5346

mari@dmrlaw.co.za

012 346 5346

Hazelwood

012 072 0469

enquiries@dmrlaw.co.za

086 617 8093

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