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Comments from past and present CAs

Adams & Adams creates an environment where candidate attorneys are able to learn, grow and specialise in the field which they prefer. The firm strives towards excellence and I am privileged to be a part of such a dynamic firm.

Hoffman van Zyl – November 2011

The transition from layman to lawyer does not occur in University, but in practice and amongst real professionals. During this crucial phase, who you are leaning from will define your future and the kind of lawyer you are going to be. I feel privileged to have been amongst the team at Adams & Adams during this phase of my career. Here you will be pushed to your limits, tested in your capabilities and criticized and developed from ground up through the firm’s high expectations. In meeting these challenges you will not only be astonished by your own potential but also grow into more than you thought you were capable of. Moreover, you will become a part of the firm’s proud history and bright future and contribute to something far greater than yourself or any individual member of the firm. I look back on my time here at Adams & Adams and am grateful for this opportunity to discover a whole other side to the field of law, as well as a whole other side to myself.

Ashlin Perumal– November 2011

I have officially been schooled! 5 years at varsity felt like education... however, my ignorance and inexperience was laid bare in my 10 months here. Not only have I learnt how the law operates in practice from those who do it best, but I have also acquired skills that have enhanced me, not only as a professional, but as a person as well. Attention to detail, diligence, dedication to every task and client, and responsibility are just a few examples of the traits associated with a good attorney and the qualities of a fit and proper person. .

Furthermore, while at varsity, you interact with those who are like you, however, due to the diversity of the people working at Adams & Adams, I have learnt how to understand and respect different people, work in a team and stay open to new ideas and methods in order to succeed and grow.

From this, it is clear that Adams & Adams does not only install a set of skills in young attorney, but qualities in young people.

Finally, apart from working hard, Adams & Adams also focuses on playing hard. There is a strong inventive to take part in activities outside the workplace, whether it be sports, family, arts and culture or whatever else gets your body and mind out of your office.. I find that this is essential in building, not just a good attorney, but a dynamic and well-balanced individual. The fact that most Partners lead such a balanced lifestyle is a strong incentive to pursue a balanced, rewarding and fulfilling career at the firm.

Paton Dennison – November 2011

My 2 years as a CA at Adams & Adams has been rewarding, challenging and educational. The opportunity to learn from some of the greatest professionals in our field is priceless. I have grown, not only in terms of my knowledge, but also as an individual and have developed skills and qualities and have been exposed to a sense of professionalism, dedication and excellence that I could only have dreamed of at varisity! Adams & Adams is a firm that you can really be proud of and I am very proud to say that I am part of the Adams family!

Nicole Smit - October 2010

When I consider my article experience thus far, my first observation is that a day has not passed without me having learnt something new. I have constantly been given opportunities to engage in and provide critical analysis to legal problems, sit in consultations where I have been able to observe and pick up various thought processes that the partners go through as they engage with clients and prepare for trials, and be surrounded by and learn from legal professionals who have excellence as their benchmark. Articles have been a fun, busy, time demanding, yet professionally empowering experience.

Abena Danso - October 2010

My experience at Adams & Adams has been excellent. I came to the firm with the desire to learn as much as possible about intellectual property law and practice and I feel that I certainly chose the right place as there is an abundance of expertise here. Also, the working environment is highly professional which is very important.

Marumo Nkomo – 10 July 2009

When I commenced my articles at Adams and Adams I found that the rumors were true that the theory one studies at University does not prepare one enough to practice law. Adams & Adams has given me the opportunity to gain practical experience to assist me in applying the theory in practice. I have thus far enjoyed my articles and learned a lot to become a confident Attorney in future.

Gerda Bouwer – 10 July 2009

To date my experience at Adams & Adams has been a fruitful and rewarding experience. The knowledge gained at tertiary level is applied on a daily basis to different sets of facts. It is a rewarding feeling seeing how four years of theoretical knowledge is put into practice.

JP Rudd – 14 July 2009

My experience as a Candidate Attorney has been very educational. I have learnt to apply the theory that I learnt at Varsity to everyday life. I have seen that Varsity teaches us the very basic principles of different areas of the law and it’s upon us to then identify which area of the law is applicable and to apply the facts before us in order to assist the clients. It hasn’t been all glamorous but it has taught me a skill of balancing time and working effectively and has led me to come up with a motto: “DON’T DO ANYTHING UNLESS IT IS EFFECTIVE.” I have learnt the value of time as well as proper utilization thereof.

Buhle Lekokotla – 14 July 2009

My experience at Adams & Adams has been an eye opener in more ways than one. Adams has taught me that there is no substitute for hard work. I am thrilled to be in a firm that allows me to be myself while working with the greatest legal minds in the field.

Ziyanda Buthelezi – 17 July 2009

Overall a complete learning experience involving thorough exposure on all levels of patent law and practice.

Pieter Visagie – 29 July 2009

Nearing the end of my articles of clerkship, I realize that one’s growth can take many forms. Learning from precedents, learning from your mistakes, learning through explanations, learning from harsh and kind words and learning through your own motivation. In the end, I am grateful to those who have moulded me and proud that the essence of who I am, though frayed, has remained intact. Fundamentally, I have discovered that success is not about doing one thing 100% better; it is about doing 100 things, 1% better.

Salina Govindsamy – 28 July 2009

My experience at Adams & Adams has been one of personal and professional growth. You are challenged as a CA to push yourself to reach goals you previously thought unattainable, and you continue to set your professional bar even higher as you gain more experience. CA's at Adams & Adams understand the concept of long hours and hard work but we also know that, in the end, it’s all worth it!

Natasha Sott – 29 July 2009

Being at Adams is like being on a rollercoaster...the high is when you see that signature on the opinion you drafted and the low would be just when you thought you had things under control you find a "please discuss". But i have learnt a lot over the past 19 months and wouldn’t mind going on the rollercoaster ride again.

Vuyiswa Dlamini – 29 July 2009

My (almost 2 years) experience at A&A, as a CA, has been invaluable to say the least. A&A is without doubt one of the top firms in the country and is very highly respected in the legal community. I have relished the opportunities and responsibilities that have been placed on me, particularly as a CA, and appreciate the patience my supervisors have had in developing my skills as a professional. I am a dedicated and proud member of the A&A family.

Phillip Haupt – 29 July 2009

This is now my second year at the firm and I must say that the longer I'm here, the more I enjoy it. Although challenging at times, it is also very rewarding. I am proud to be associated with a firm that is both dynamic and prouds itself on offering excellent service to clients.

Danie Pienaar – 29 July 2009

Coming from an engineering background I did not really have a clue what the internal day-to-day operation of a law firm looks like. To my amazement, I found that it is really a competitive field of business compared to the research and development field I had become accustomed to while studying engineering.

It is high intensity and requires a great deal of commitment and sacrifice. If you're slack, you will be left behind. Some might ask if it is a very fulfilling job? Well, that remains to be seen and I guess it depends on what your idea of a fulfilling career is.

Sometimes it appears to me as if people pursue a career in law for the sole purpose of becoming wealthy, in contrast to pursuing a particular career because it is what you love to do. For me it is more of a question of quality than quantity. I leave you with this thought: Take heed and beware of covetousness (greedy longing to have more), for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.

Wynand Fourie – 29 July 2009

Working at Adams & Adams has been a wonderful learning experience. Initially, adapting to the working environment can be a bit difficult, but at Adams & Adams, you can be assured that you will reach that level of professionalism and work ethic that you will make you, not just a good but a great attorney.

Amina Suliman – 29 July 2009

In just a month at the firm I find that the professionalism and work ethic is of a high level, and I have no doubt that this will contribute positively towards my professional growth as an attorney. Janine Cecil – 29 July 2009 From the outside you don’t realise how sought after a position at Adams & Adams is, and then it dawns on you once you arrive at the firm.

“If a man’s measure of himself is to be valued by the experiences he has had”, then to paraphrase that ageless song.Thanks to A&A I am every man, more than I was and am more than I’ll ever need to be.

Zaid Hassen Motala – 1 July 2009