Seshni Moodley

Seshni Moodley, the founder and director of Seshni Moodley Attorneys Incorporated, dream of opening her own law firm began long before she even understood what the law entailed. “My journey started straight after Matric,” she reflects. “I had a deep desire. I wanted to do law. I wanted to be an attorney.”

Growing up, she credits her mother, a prosecutor, as the greatest influence in her professional journey. “I met an attorney whilst I was in court with my mom in grade one. She told me that she had her own firm, and she
showed me a picture of her office with a board placed on the wall with her name and the word ‘attorneys’
underneath,” Seshni recalls. “It was always my dream to have my own firm. I had that image on my vision board since childhood.”

Achieving that dream in her twenties was beyond her wildest expectations. “I always thought I would only get here at 40. But I took a leap of faith. After completing my master’s degree in 2024, I decided that although I am young, I can still carve a path for myself and determine my own rules in a profession that is often based on other people’s expectations.”

CHAMPIONING DIGITAL RIGHTS
“My firm is founded on the new age era of law in that digital has replaced a lot of human interactions,” she
explains. As the digital world grows, so too do the complexities of justice within it. Her firm addresses issues
such as cybersecurity and digital fraud while advocating for accessible legal representation, particularly for
historically disadvantaged communities.

Seshni’s work extends to focus on family law issues, domestic violence and divorces, giving women their
power back, especially in disadvantaged communities. “My firm is not only about justice in the traditional sense but about restoring dignity and balance where it has been taken away,” she explains. Her expertise in digital law and human rights has also led to her becoming a sought-after voice in media and academia. “I was featured on Lotus FM to speak about cybersecurity and how to counteract digital scammers,”

she notes. “A lot of fraudulent activities now occur in the digital realm, and people still use physical methods
to react. I want to show that there are legal resolutions, even in digital spaces.” Seshni has also had the privilege of having various articles published in various national and international newspapers that address an array of legal issues and speak about her work in advancing, maintaining and protecting women’s rights .
This passion is reinforced by her academic journey and is used as a catalyst to drive legal excellence at Seshni Moodley Attorneys Incorporated. “Achieving my master’s degree in human rights law was a huge milestone,” she shares proudly. “My dissertation being published and recognised inspired me to pursue my PhD in human rights law.” Her doctoral research now focuses on how national human rights institutions in South Africa and India can advance women’s rights. “It is very exciting and a dream come true” she smiles. “My proposal was approved, and I am going full force with my dissertation now.”

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
Seshni is committed to empowering women, especially young legal professionals. In May 2024, she launched an internship programme to give law students and aspiring attorneys real-world experience in a supportive environment. “It is important to digest knowledge but also impart it,” she says. “We all started from somewhere, so having the ability to help someone else is one of my greatest achievements.”

Her journey, however, has had challenges. “One of the biggest challenges has been the oversaturation within the legal realm,” she says. “Criminal law in particular is male dominated. Shattering that glass ceiling has not been easy.” Yet, her resilience shines through. “It was overcome through the support of other women in the field as well as within my social circles. Believing that being a woman does not make you different to your male counterparts is powerful. We are all equal in this realm and all have a voice. Seshni has also faced the challenge of raising awareness around digital law. “It is not the traditional form of law that people are familiar with, so a lot of education is required,” she explains. “More people are coming forward about cybercrimes, and that is progress, but patience is key.” Her advice to young women entering the field is rooted in courage and independence. “A lot of people encourage the traditional route of working for a firm, but there are other paths. Explore research opportunities, find your passion, and once you do, establish your own firm and make your own mark in this legal world.”

LAW, LIFE, AND LEGACY
As a young entrepreneur and academic, balance remains central to Seshni’s philosophy. “I try to close my laptop on Friday and only open it again on Monday,” she admits. “But if a client needs me, I am there for them regardless. As women entrepreneurs, our businesses can easily become our lives, so developing balance between business, family and social commitments is essential. I practise mindfulness and prioritise spending time with my family and focusing on personal development.”

“I enjoy my job so much that I often consider it play,” she says. “But I also focus on fitness, reading and hobbies that nourish me. Academia and work are part of my life, but I am learning to make more space for recreational activities as well” Looking ahead, her ambitions are to grow Seshni Moodley Attorneys Incorporated into a multinational practice. With branches already established in Hillcrest, Umhlanga
and Gauteng she envisions expanding into Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Seshni added, “I got my degree from the University of the Free State, so returning to my roots would be special.”

Seshni’s story is one of determination and empowerment. “It was always going to be Seshni Moodley Attorneys Incorporated,” she says. “Now that I see the board outside my office, it feels surreal. But it also reminds me that dreams do come true when you silence the outside noise and believe in yourself."