Paladin ’s Post

What does it mean to put your name on the wall? To me, it signifies a profound commitment and a leap of faith. It’s about embracing vulnerability, showcasing not just our strengths but also our imperfections. In the legal profession, there’s no hiding from public scrutiny or accountability, and this transparency is what drives us to be our best. For the past 12 years, Simon Dippenaar & Associates Inc (SD Law) has been on a remarkable journey. Starting straight out of articles, the road has been anything but easy. We've faced numerous challenges and learned invaluable lessons about trust, integrity, and perseverance. True allies and hidden adversaries have revealed themselves over time, and through it all, we’ve remained steadfast. The biggest challenge in running a law firm isn’t just the legal battles but maintaining energy, motivation, and a positive attitude amidst constant conflicts. It’s about finding and nurturing a team that is both competent and kind, managing stress effectively, and understanding that imitation is a form of flattery. While others may replicate our strategies, they can never replicate our spirit. This new sign in our expanded Cape Town headquarters represents more than just our name—it embodies our journey, our growth, and our unwavering dedication to our clients and values. It’s a testament to the resilience and commitment that have brought us this far. I invite you to visit our website to see how far we’ve come and to join us in celebrating this milestone. Here’s to 12 years of growth, learning, and a continued commitment to excellence. www.sdlaw.co.za

Cheers to a New Year filled with endless possibilities, joy, and success! Wishing you a Happy New Year full of exciting adventures and remarkable achievements! https://buff.ly/2RhalMb #TheHCSAgency #DigitalMarketing #LongIsland #LongIslandBusiness #LegalMarketing #AttorneyMarketing #LawFirm #LawyerMarketing #LawMarketing #NYE #NewYear #HappyNewYear

London mini-Marathon / tenuous client care link We’re here at St James’s Park to support my son at the mini-Marathon today 🏃♂️ He did very well Whilst here, we popped into Benugo St James’s Park Absolute chaos 🤬 Order at one till, collect at another No teamwork, organisation or communication Earlier orders coming out later Drinks forgotten Huge long waits “It’s coming” even when it wasn’t People asking for refunds Worst of all - no apology 🤯 This applies to law firms too No one’s perfect, but if something goes wrong, say sorry A famous survey: Group A - clear solicitor negligence - but a profuse and earnest apology and real care, with an explanation Group B - small issue but no apology and no real empathy Who complained? Group B How you make your clients feel is paramount If you are earnest, they will forgive you and return Otherwise they will slag you off and cost you money in lack of repeat business and referrals Law firms: remember this when dealing with your clients. They are more important than your ego #law #lawyer #lawfirm #solicitor #marathon #clientcare Pierre Bauzée #coffee #london #stjames

Today, we ask Nicolene Schoeman – Louw, 'Why did you start your business?' Here is her answer: "I developed a passion for the law within the first few days of 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 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." What question would you like us to ask Nicolene next? #SchoemanLaw #Attorney #Lawyer #Law #CapeTownAttorney #Legal

Starting your legal career during COVID-19 posed unique challenges, especially for network building. We've observed a notable divide between junior and senior lawyers, stemming from the impact of the pandemic on their learning experiences. Senior lawyers continue to leverage their established networks, while junior lawyers face a stark challenge in building theirs from scratch. In this Southren Soundbite, Kelly Margani and Elisabeth Folk have a conversation about how many junior lawyers missed crucial network-building opportunities due to the isolating effects of the pandemic. However, they can proactively bridge this gap with determination and strategic network-building efforts. Stay tuned until the end of the video to pick up a few tips on how junior lawyers can consistently tap into network-building opportunities. Do you have tips on network building? Share your ideas below! #SouthrenGroup #JuniorLawyers #NetworkingTips #COVIDImpact #BusinessDevelopment #TorontoLawyers 

In today's competitive legal landscape, clients demand legal advice that is not only technically sound but also commercially savvy. Developing the ability to provide advice flavored with commerciality and innovation is key to success in the legal industry. In addition to the above, a young lawyer needs to learn the art of attracting new clients, generating revenue and growing the firm’s business. Grateful to East Africa Law Society (Official) and our panelists today for a very insightful discussion. James Mukasa Sebugenyi, Olivia K. Sadock Magai Phillip Munaabi #Rainmaking #BusinessDevelopment #LegalBusiness

If you need legal aid but can't afford a lawyer get it free from volunteering lawyers in #ADGMcourts visit www.ADGM.com or to get more about how know of applying it watch and learn it here https://lnkd.in/eeE-DYE5 #Law #legaladvice #legalaid #legalhelp #lawyer #court #adgm #adgmcourts #employmentlaw #employment #case

Shook Business Development Manager Gloria Gonzalez manages business development projects across various industries including tech, finance, tourism, health care and more. As she was growing up in Mexico, Gloria primarily spoke Spanish while also studying English and French. Read on to discover how Gloria uses her language skills today. SHOOK: How have you used Spanish in your business development projects? GLORIA: My Spanish language skills significantly enhanced business opportunities, particularly in regions with Spanish-speaking markets. By leveraging my proficiency, I am able to understand local business customs, consumer preferences and regulations in Latin America, Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions. This allows me to tailor products, services and marketing messages to align with local cultures and values, improving brand resonance. Additionally, speaking Spanish has allowed me to build strong relationships with local stakeholders, partners and clients, which is crucial for business expansion and securing deals. Cross-team collaboration is especially important when working in Latin America, Spain and other Spanish-speaking markets. My understanding of these cultures enables me to facilitate communication between internal teams and their counterparts in these regions, fostering smoother operations and strategic alignment. My Spanish proficiency also helps bridge communication gaps, clarify terms and ensure both parties are on the same page. This streamlines decision-making processes and improves overall efficiency. SHOOK: How did you hold on to your Spanish proficiency after moving to the United States? GLORIA: On a personal level, Spanish is my first language. Like anything else, continuous practice is required. I made sure to speak only Spanish when around family and prioritized Spanish-based networking. Close relationships with fluent Spanish-speaking friends are also important for staying up to date with what is happening around the world. My family and friends serve as pillars of continued knowledge and a valuable resource for my ongoing education. SHOOK: Was learning English a priority in your school in Mexico? GLORIA: Learning English was a requirement in both grammar and middle school, much like required electives. We could also choose to study other languages, and in high school, I switched to learning French. I continued studying French throughout my bachelor’s program as an elective and even moved to France for a year to immerse myself, which is often said to be the best way to learn a language. **** #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #HispanicHeritageMonth #ShookNHHM

Shook Business Development Manager Gloria Gonzalez manages business development projects across various industries including tech, finance, tourism, health care and more. As she was growing up in Mexico, Gloria primarily spoke Spanish while also studying English and French. Read on to discover how Gloria uses her language skills today. SHOOK: How have you used Spanish in your business development projects? GLORIA: My Spanish language skills significantly enhanced business opportunities, particularly in regions with Spanish-speaking markets. By leveraging my proficiency, I am able to understand local business customs, consumer preferences and regulations in Latin America, Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions. This allows me to tailor products, services and marketing messages to align with local cultures and values, improving brand resonance. Additionally, speaking Spanish has allowed me to build strong relationships with local stakeholders, partners and clients, which is crucial for business expansion and securing deals. Cross-team collaboration is especially important when working in Latin America, Spain and other Spanish-speaking markets. My understanding of these cultures enables me to facilitate communication between internal teams and their counterparts in these regions, fostering smoother operations and strategic alignment. My Spanish proficiency also helps bridge communication gaps, clarify terms and ensure both parties are on the same page. This streamlines decision-making processes and improves overall efficiency. SHOOK: How did you hold on to your Spanish proficiency after moving to the United States? GLORIA: On a personal level, Spanish is my first language. Like anything else, continuous practice is required. I made sure to speak only Spanish when around family and prioritized Spanish-based networking. Close relationships with fluent Spanish-speaking friends are also important for staying up to date with what is happening around the world. My family and friends serve as pillars of continued knowledge and a valuable resource for my ongoing education. SHOOK: Was learning English a priority in your school in Mexico? GLORIA: Learning English was a requirement in both grammar and middle school, much like required electives. We could also choose to study other languages, and in high school, I switched to learning French. I continued studying French throughout my bachelor’s program as an elective and even moved to France for a year to immerse myself, which is often said to be the best way to learn a language. **** #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #HispanicHeritageMonth #ShookNHHM

Shook Business Development Manager Gloria Gonzalez manages business development projects across various industries including tech, finance, tourism, health care and more. As she was growing up in Mexico, Gloria primarily spoke Spanish while also studying English and French. Read on to discover how Gloria uses her language skills today. SHOOK: How have you used Spanish in your business development projects? GLORIA: My Spanish language skills significantly enhanced business opportunities, particularly in regions with Spanish-speaking markets. By leveraging my proficiency, I am able to understand local business customs, consumer preferences and regulations in Latin America, Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions. This allows me to tailor products, services and marketing messages to align with local cultures and values, improving brand resonance. Additionally, speaking Spanish has allowed me to build strong relationships with local stakeholders, partners and clients, which is crucial for business expansion and securing deals. Cross-team collaboration is especially important when working in Latin America, Spain and other Spanish-speaking markets. My understanding of these cultures enables me to facilitate communication between internal teams and their counterparts in these regions, fostering smoother operations and strategic alignment. My Spanish proficiency also helps bridge communication gaps, clarify terms and ensure both parties are on the same page. This streamlines decision-making processes and improves overall efficiency. SHOOK: How did you hold on to your Spanish proficiency after moving to the United States? GLORIA: On a personal level, Spanish is my first language. Like anything else, continuous practice is required. I made sure to speak only Spanish when around family and prioritized Spanish-based networking. Close relationships with fluent Spanish-speaking friends are also important for staying up to date with what is happening around the world. My family and friends serve as pillars of continued knowledge and a valuable resource for my ongoing education. SHOOK: Was learning English a priority in your school in Mexico? GLORIA: Learning English was a requirement in both grammar and middle school, much like required electives. We could also choose to study other languages, and in high school, I switched to learning French. I continued studying French throughout my bachelor’s program as an elective and even moved to France for a year to immerse myself, which is often said to be the best way to learn a language. **** #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #HispanicHeritageMonth #ShookNHHM