Cox Yeats, As a national law firm, Cox Yeats is well positioned and able to render a range of legal services across provincial borders, regardless of locationBased in the country’s three major economic hubs, Sandton, Cape Town and Umhlanga, Cox Yeats is a dynamic national law firm which has earned a reputation as a leader in commercial and personal legal services. Since 1964, when Cox Yeats was founded in KwaZulu-Natal, the firm has continued to rely on innovative and sustainable solutions to overcome the many storms which South Africa, and particularly KwaZulu-Natal, has faced. In addition, although the business has grown substantially over the past five decades, the firm’s founding principles of integrity, approachability, and individuality are as strong now as ever. By continuing to live this DNA, Cox Yeats hopes to assure the public of a future as exciting and inspiring as the many years that came before. Service offering As a national law firm, Cox Yeats is well positioned and able to render a range of legal services across provincial borders, regardless of location. Services include business law; competition law; construction law, engineering, and infrastructure law; insurance law; corporate mergers and acquisitions law; insolvency and business rescue law; maritime and international trade law; property law; empowerment and transformation; information technology law; litigation and alternative dispute resolution; medical schemes; natural resources and energy; tax law; and trust and estate planning. Highly Specialised Both evolving and experienced professionals make up its specialised teams, ensuring that Cox Yeats is a true-life partner to their clients. Each team has its own structure and unique approach; however, all teams have quality service, quick response, and client confidence in common. This ethos allows them to leverage off each other’s different insights, allowing for ‘vibrant cross pollination’ and attention to detail. Cox Yeats is well respected for its capacity to achieve results. Its successes can be attributed to all the professionals’ real commitment to their clients, an ability to be forward thinking and a genuine desire to achieve their clients’ commercial and strategic objectives. Cox Yeats will also work with clients to assist them in responding to opportunities and to anticipate legal and commercial issues that might affect their businesses. Employee welfare The belief that the firm’s greatest asset is its people has enabled Cox Yeats to rise above the prevailing circumstances of recent years. Accordingly, the firm recognises that employee welfare is central to its success and as such significant strides are taken by management to ensure that employees can achieve a work-life balance and are ultimately cared for and supported both in and outside of work. Being part of a firm where every individual is encouraged to reach their potential is one of its most appealing offerings. This proactive and positive culture will enable Cox Yeats to continue to attract and retain the top talents as they enter the profession. The Cox Yeats attorneys are backed by a very strong professional team and staff turnover is extremely low. Awards, Recognitions and Accolades Cox Yeats has consistently been rated among the top law firms in the country with many of its professionals listed in top legal publications as well as various industry-specific guides. The firm and several of its professionals have been recognised in national, continental, and international legal directories and awards such as the Best Lawyers, Legal 500, Chambers Global, the African Legal Awards and PMR Africa amongst others. Cox Yeats has been rated the Number one medium law firm in South Africa for the fourth consecutive year after winning the PMR Africa 2023 Diamond Arrow Award. The firm was named the 2023 Property and Insurance Law firm of the Year by Best Lawyers. In 2022, Cox Yeats received an award as a winner in the Employee wellbeing category, in the sixteenth edition of the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards.MICHAEL JACKSON's strong adherence to the core values of integrity and client service, as well as a good sense of humour, have served him well in his professional career. He was appointed as managing partner of Durban law firm Cox Yeats in 2011. In January 1998, Jackson joined Cox Yeats as a candidate attorney. He commented that starting there was really tough. Jackson was articled to Graham Cox, who checked every document that he produced. Jackson said, "Graham Cox told me that I needed to learn the basics of writing and suggested that I read a book or two." This advice came as quite a shock especially after having studied at university for seven years. "This somewhat Victorian introduction to law and work taught me that in law you are never an expert. You must always remain humble and you must take nothing for granted," added Jackson. His early career, he says, was based on a lot of hard work and some luck. In addition, Jackson said that he was fortunate to work with some good people. "I was privileged to work closely with Graham Cox (who at that time was undoubtedly the best lawyer in Durban) and with Jeremy Yeats. In many respects they were complete opposites. Graham economic with words and decisive; Jeremy amiable, who pondered and weighed the various options in committee." A highlight of his career was making partner in 2000, after only one year out of articles. From the outset, Jackson said that he was exposed to large clients and important matters. A big opportunity arose when Jeremy Yeats fell ill, and Jackson took over the work that he handled for Richards Bay Minerals and Tongaat Hulett on land, the environment and minerals. It was through this exposure that he then specialised in natural resource law, which was something that he had not considered at university, where he had focused on tax, finance and corporate law. Jackson says that he is quite old fashioned in his approach to his career as he believes that "You should make a place work, if it is an environment that works". His 30 year employment history at Cox Yeats is in great contrast to the modern trend of job hopping, which is also a challenge for employee retention. Jackson says that it is important to have a culture that builds people from a young age and grows their careers so that they stay with the firm. However, this does require a reciprocal relationship of trust and organisational commitment. Leading a law firm and dealing with a range of diverse personalities requires much responsibility, especially with 28 partners making a total of 45 professionals. As such Jackson favours a participative management style and is as inclusive as possible in allowing everyone to air their voices to reach consensus. He commented that it has been very fulfilling to develop a team of professionals around him and work collectively, as opposed to individually. The Cox Yeats' way values independence and participation. However, he added, "We have found that focussing on our core values and measuring all decisions in reaction to these values has given us much relevance. Our model in recent years of living true to these values has been very successful." An important part of these values is offering outstanding client service and being quite bold. "We regard ourselves as the best KZN law firm and have an increasing amount of international reach, which in the future we would like to grow," concluded Jackson. Jackson is married to Helen who is also a lawyer and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys rowing three times a week on Durban Harbour, the office exercise class and hobbling around the neighbourhood. Apart from international travel, a favourite breakaway spot is a cottage on the Transkei wild coast, which has been in the family for nearly 80 yearsMICHAEL JACKSON's strong adherence to the core values of integrity and client service, as well as a good sense of humour, have served him well in his professional career. He was appointed as managing partner of Durban law firm Cox Yeats in 2011. In January 1998, Jackson joined Cox Yeats as a candidate attorney. He commented that starting there was really tough. Jackson was articled to Graham Cox, who checked every document that he produced. Jackson said, "Graham Cox told me that I needed to learn the basics of writing and suggested that I read a book or two." This advice came as quite a shock especially after having studied at university for seven years. "This somewhat Victorian introduction to law and work taught me that in law you are never an expert. You must always remain humble and you must take nothing for granted," added Jackson. His early career, he says, was based on a lot of hard work and some luck. In addition, Jackson said that he was fortunate to work with some good people. "I was privileged to work closely with Graham Cox (who at that time was undoubtedly the best lawyer in Durban) and with Jeremy Yeats. In many respects they were complete opposites. Graham economic with words and decisive; Jeremy amiable, who pondered and weighed the various options in committee." A highlight of his career was making partner in 2000, after only one year out of articles. From the outset, Jackson said that he was exposed to large clients and important matters. A big opportunity arose when Jeremy Yeats fell ill, and Jackson took over the work that he handled for Richards Bay Minerals and Tongaat Hulett on land, the environment and minerals. It was through this exposure that he then specialised in natural resource law, which was something that he had not considered at university, where he had focused on tax, finance and corporate law. Jackson says that he is quite old fashioned in his approach to his career as he believes that "You should make a place work, if it is an environment that works". His 30 year employment history at Cox Yeats is in great contrast to the modern trend of job hopping, which is also a challenge for employee retention. Jackson says that it is important to have a culture that builds people from a young age and grows their careers so that they stay with the firm. However, this does require a reciprocal relationship of trust and organisational commitment. Leading a law firm and dealing with a range of diverse personalities requires much responsibility, especially with 28 partners making a total of 45 professionals. As such Jackson favours a participative management style and is as inclusive as possible in allowing everyone to air their voices to reach consensus. He commented that it has been very fulfilling to develop a team of professionals around him and work collectively, as opposed to individually. The Cox Yeats' way values independence and participation. However, he added, "We have found that focussing on our core values and measuring all decisions in reaction to these values has given us much relevance. Our model in recent years of living true to these values has been very successful." An important part of these values is offering outstanding client service and being quite bold. "We regard ourselves as the best KZN law firm and have an increasing amount of international reach, which in the future we would like to grow," concluded Jackson. Jackson is married to Helen who is also a lawyer and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys rowing three times a week on Durban Harbour, the office exercise class and hobbling around the neighbourhood. Apart from international travel, a favourite breakaway spot is a cottage on the Transkei wild coast, which has been in the family for nearly 80 years

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INTRODUCTION

As a national law firm, Cox Yeats is well positioned and able to render a range of legal services across provincial borders, regardless of location

Leadership

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A Dynamic National Law Firm

Based in the country’s three major economic hubs, Sandton, Cape Town and Umhlanga, Cox Yeats is a dynamic national law firm which has earned a reputation as a leader in commercial and personal legal services.

Since 1964, when Cox Yeats was founded in KwaZulu-Natal, the firm has continued to rely on innovative and sustainable solutions to overcome the many storms which South Africa, and particularly KwaZulu-Natal, has faced. In addition, although the business has grown substantially over the past five decades, the firm’s founding principles of integrity, approachability, and individuality are as strong now as ever. By continuing to live this DNA, Cox Yeats hopes to assure the public of a future as exciting and inspiring as the many years that came before.

Service offering
As a national law firm, Cox Yeats is well positioned and able to render a range of legal services across provincial borders, regardless of location. Services include business law; competition law; construction law, engineering, and infrastructure law; insurance law; corporate mergers and acquisitions law; insolvency and business rescue law; maritime and international trade law; property law; empowerment and transformation; information technology law; litigation and alternative dispute resolution; medical schemes; natural resources and energy; tax law; and trust and estate planning.

Highly Specialised
Both evolving and experienced professionals make up its specialised teams, ensuring that Cox Yeats is a true-life partner to their clients. Each team has its own structure and unique approach; however, all teams have quality service, quick response, and client confidence in common. This ethos allows them to leverage off each other’s different insights, allowing for ‘vibrant cross pollination’ and attention to detail.

Cox Yeats is well respected for its capacity to achieve results. Its successes can be attributed to all the professionals’ real commitment to their clients, an ability to be forward thinking and a genuine desire to achieve their clients’ commercial and strategic objectives. Cox Yeats will also work with clients to assist them in responding to opportunities and to anticipate legal and commercial issues that might affect their businesses.

Employee welfare
The belief that the firm’s greatest asset is its people has enabled Cox Yeats to rise above the prevailing circumstances of recent years. Accordingly, the firm recognises that employee welfare is central to its success and as such significant strides are taken by management to ensure that employees can achieve a work-life balance and are ultimately cared for and supported both in and outside of work. Being part of a firm where every individual is encouraged to reach their potential is one of its most appealing offerings.

This proactive and positive culture will enable Cox Yeats to continue to attract and retain the top talents as they enter the profession. The Cox Yeats attorneys are backed by a very strong professional team and staff turnover is extremely low.

Awards, Recognitions and Accolades
Cox Yeats has consistently been rated among the top law firms in the country with many of its professionals listed in top legal publications as well as various industry-specific guides.

The firm and several of its professionals have been recognised in national, continental, and international legal directories and awards such as the Best Lawyers, Legal 500, Chambers Global, the African Legal Awards and PMR Africa amongst others.

Cox Yeats has been rated the Number one medium law firm in South Africa for the fourth consecutive year after winning the PMR Africa 2023 Diamond Arrow Award. The firm was named the 2023 Property and Insurance Law firm of the Year by Best Lawyers.

In 2022, Cox Yeats received an award as a winner in the Employee wellbeing category, in the sixteenth edition of the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards.

Full Name of Company: Cox Yeats Attorneys
Nature of Business: Legal Services / Attorneys
Services: Specialised Legal Services
Date Established: 1964
Bankers: Standard Bank (Primary)
Memberships: SA Law Society
B-BBEE Status: Level 2

VISION
To make a positive difference in our world and to do this by consistently being the most dynamic and innovative law firm that offers highly personalised expertise.

MISSION
Cox Yeats is a leading law firm that offers personalised, practical and effective legal solutions to clients both in KwaZulu-Natal and further afield. With a diverse range of specialised services, our partners take on legal challenges of any scale and complexity, while always acting in the best interests of our clients.

KEY PERSONNEL
Managing Partner: Andrew Clark

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: Ncondo Chambers, Vuna Close,
Umhlanga Ridge, Durban, 4320
Postal Address: P.O. Box 913, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320
Tel: +27 (0)31 536 8500
E-mail: info@coxyeats.co.za
Website: www.coxyeats.co.za

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