Susan Abro

Susan Abro is the sole proprietor of Susan Abro Attorney, a specialist family law practice based in KwaZulu-Natal. With a legal career spanning more than three decades, her work has been grounded in a commitment to people, justice, and community. Her practice focuses on family law, a field she describes as dealing with life “from cradle to grave”.

Susan Abro Attorney handles a broad spectrum of family law matters. These include disputes relating
to children, divorce, financial consequences of separation, domestic violence protection orders, maintenance court proceedings, and complex international matters such as cross-border child abduction under the Hague Conventions. As Susan explains, “Family law is about the most intimate aspects of people’s lives. You are dealing with their children, their finances, their safety, and their dignity.

You have to take all of that seriously.” At the heart of Susan’s work lies a clear purpose: to help people, particularly those navigating crisis and vulnerability. She says, “I’ve been involved with genderbased
violence and the promotion of women since the very beginning of my career.” While her practice does
not exclusively represent women, she has become known for her ability to support women facing severe
emotional, financial, or physical hardship. “By the time clients leave me,” she reflects, “they are strong enough to continue on their own. Seeing that transformation is what gives me the greatest satisfaction.”

STRONG WORK ETHIC
Susan grew up in Melmoth, a small town in Zululand, where the absence of a local high school meant she
had to attend boarding school. She was educated at St Anne’s Diocesan College, where lifelong friendships
were formed. She went on to study at the then University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, completing a
Bachelor of Arts degree, followed by Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Natal’s Durban campus.
Alongside her formal legal education, she pursued additional qualifications in business management
through Damelin and undertook numerous specialist courses in family law, mediation, and arbitration.

Her strong work ethic emerged early. Susan’s first job came at the age of 12, when she worked as a cashier
in a Melmoth supermarket during school holidays. This early experience left a lasting impression. “You
learn very quickly how to deal with people,” she recalls, “and that skill stays with you for life.”

Susan’s professional journey was marked by both challenges and opportunities. She completed her
articles at L.J. Paola Wright and Wilkinson during a period of transition, when the firm was taken over
and women were no longer welcomed by the new management. Undeterred, she accepted an offer
from Woodhead, Bigby and Irving, where she spent five formative years. “I’ve always believed you don’t
burn bridges,” she says. “Those relationships matter, especially when you go out on your own.”

MUTUAL RESPECT
In 1995, Susan made the decision to enter private practice in association with Betsy Rowe of Sylvia
Oversby and Partners, a firm they later purchased. The transition from being a partner in a large
Durban firm to starting afresh was daunting. “I literally had nothing,” she admits. “But in those days, you just did it.” She credits her success to strong mentorship, loyal clients, and a professional network built on mutual respect. Many of her clients have remained with her throughout her career, evolving into trusted friends.

Among Susan’s achievements, one stands out as particularly meaningful: her service as an acting judge of the High Court and later as a judge of the Electoral Court. She served two terms on the Electoral Court alongside the late Supreme Court of Appeal Judge President K.K. Mthiyane. “That was incredibly exciting,” she says. “When I first knew K.K., he was an advocate I briefed. We became very close over the years; even went to each other’s birthday parties.”

Susan attributes much of her professional composure to a piece of advice she received early in her career.
“My principal once told me that if you receive a letter that makes you angry, put it in a drawer,” she recalls. “If
you take it out a day later and it still makes you angry, put it back. Never respond in anger. You need a clear
head and collegiality – a concept many youngsters today don’t understand,” she says. “But without that,
the system doesn’t work.”

HUMAN CONNECTION
One of the significant personal challenges Susan has faced is the progressive loss of her vision. However,
she has adapted with determination and pragmatism. “Technology has made a huge difference. My phone
talks to me, my computer talks to me, and I have incredible staff who support me.” She acknowledges
that facing this challenge later in life, once her practice was established, made adaptation more
manageable.

Susan leads a small, close-knit team and places emphasis on wellbeing and human connection. “We do things together that aren’t work-related. We exercise in the boardroom, we try to eat healthily, and we spend time together socially.” She believes the nature of family law itself is motivating. “You see what people go through,” she explains. “It reminds you why the work matters.”

Inspiration for Susan comes primarily from people. She speaks warmly of South Africans and their resilience,
kindness, and sense of community. She draws inspiration from strong women who remain active and
committed well into later life. These include 86 year old Mathabo Kunene who carries on the legacy of her
husband, the late poet laureate, Mazisi Kunene, and does incredible work for the community. In addition,
her own mother, also aged of 86 who has just retired is a role model. “They show you how strong you can be,”
she says. “They are always giving back.”

Looking ahead, Susan is optimistic about KwaZulu- Natal. “I really hope we can move forward doing
business properly,” she says, “with honesty and integrity, and by helping one another. KZN is the
best province in this country.”

Susan firm’s logo reads, “We have a heart for family law,” a sentiment that reflects her life’s work. “When
I’m gone. I want people to say that I lived a good life, that I looked after my community, and that I
was honest.” For Susan Abro, leadership is service, integrity, and leaving people stronger than when she
found them.”