Shamla Pather Attorneys Inc. is a specialist legal practice, whose dynamic and hardworking founder created her brand based on her personal circumstances, feminine touch and passion for excellence. Shamla and her team have more than 25 years of experience, with Shamla dominating the legal fraternity in the last 25 years.

Shamla completed her BProc degree in 1994, at the then University of Durban Westville. She was admitted as an attorney in January 1998, and received a Certificate of Outstanding Performance from the School of Legal Practice. Shamla is also a member of the very prestigious International Bar Association which is an affiliation of more than 10 000 players globally.

Shamla has been invited to attend conferences in lndia, Australia, Washington and London. She has been the recipient of many awards, including Top Achiever in KZN, Business Woman of the Year, and most recently she has been nominated as Best Law Firm in KZN. Shamla has spoken at conferences both locally and abroad and is a member of many local organisations.

Shamla was a keen athlete at school who focused more on athletics than school at the time. She learned at a tender age that hard work, training and dedication is key to success. She apparently still uses an athlete’s focus to give her foresight, strength and endurance.

“The start of any problem for me is like a fast sprint race. I have done my preparation and training and I am ready. My team are with me and all we have to focus on is the last 50 metres. I know that with confidence and our natural legal endurance, we will succeed.”

The Team
Shamla has handpicked her team and has offered dedicated teaching which enables them to work at optimum level.

She has consultants who have pooled in their knowledge and resources to the team, and they have been in practice in excess of 45 years. It is rather fulfilling to see these senior legal practitioners taking their lead from Shamla, given her innovative and spirited practice.

The team are intuitive to changes in the law and the different legal experiences and techniques that are required. Shamla encourages forward thinking, and she invests in research in the form of technology and communication, useful software and a variety of technology and methodologies for prompt streamline services.

Some clients have specific requirements in order to achieve their objectives and the practice invests in this without reservation. They treat their clients like family, taking a vested interest in their matters and their issues.

‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’ is what drives this firm constantly. Together with a team that is dedicated, has the utmost integrity, and thrives on a high level of functionality and professionalism, the team is undeterred of meeting every challenge. What you see is what you get.

The Firm’s Services
The firm has been exposed to work in practically every province in South Africa, and has already made footprints in Europe, Asia and North America.

The team is driven on excellence and making the law applicable and available. They provide sound legal advice and solutions to problems. “We make the law work for you,” says Shamla. “However, we are dependable and will not undertake a matter if we are unable to deliver the desired results. We think of everything to give the matter the best possible perspectives to ensure that we are prepared to represent you, the client, at the highest level.”

Services include:
• Commercial Law (Incorporating Corporate, Insolvency, Insurance and Contract Law)
• Estate Law (Deceased Estates)
• Litigation (Civil and Criminal)
• Administrative Law (Incorporating Media, Constitutional and Procurement Law)
• Conveyancing and Property Law. The firm employs a senior conveyancer and paralegal with a conveyancer being admitted in excess of 30 years.
• Labour Law
• Corporate Governance Law, Company Law, Risk and Compliance

Social Upliftment
Social upliftment is the reason Shamla is in practice. She works hard but never fails to pay it forward. She is a patron to many charitable institutions and contributes both financially and with physical labour. She has roped in many individuals and businesses in her charity drives so as to create awareness and to ensure that the programmes are fulfilled.

In evaluating what Shamla has accomplished so far, she is content as she has uplifted countless individuals and institutions over the years. She is a champion of the downtrodden and spends many hours counselling those who need assistance. She has embraced many students into the firm, especially those who have had social difficulties and needed nurturing. Shamla has a student volunteer programme and makes sure she employs students every year.

She has always maintained that the most rewarding feeling, and better than winning any case, is when you have touched someone’s life and made a difference. Shamla has also done numerous pro bona matters and has given talks on behalf of probono.org.