Sonali Menon Govender

Sonali Menon Govender, managing attorney at Maynard Menon Govender Incorporated, has always had inspiration close at hand. Her earliest memories are rooted in the courtroom. “I grew up following my dad everywhere,” she recalls with a smile.

“I would sit at the back of the courtroom watching him work, completely fascinated by what he did.”
After completing her legal studies, Sonali joined her father’s firm, served her articles and began to carve out
her own place within the legal world, blending her love of law with an eye for innovation. “Once I identified the niche area of the company that I truly enjoyed, I began managing that department,” she explains. “From there, I moved into innovation and strategy within the firm.

It sounds complex, but it is about identifying areas that need improvement, cutting costs, and improving
efficiencies so that both my father and I can have more time and less stress when we go home as a family.”
This emphasis on balance, both professional and personal, has become central to Sonali’s philosophy.
Her commitment to innovation is not limited to technological change but extends to the way people
work and communicate.

COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION
While her father represents a more conventional approach to law, Sonali saw an opportunity to modernise. “When I joined, I decided to really change our business model,” she says. “I wanted to shift away from the mindset of billable hours. If we could streamline work using legal tools to automate tasks, we could free our staff to focus on cognitive functions and creative thinking.”

Her introduction of legal technology and hybrid automation systems has redefined the way the firm
operates. These innovations, she explains, have allowed for more meaningful engagement across all levels of staff. “It is not just about technology for technology’s sake. The systems we use are hybrids that learn from us as we learn from them. They help to remind us of tasks, automate routine work, and encourage collaboration.

Everyone, regardless of qualification or title, is part of the conversation.” Sonali’s influence extends well beyond her firm. Yet, her path to success has not been without challenges. As a neurodivergent woman in law, Sonali faced many obstacles, from being misunderstood in school to being underestimated in university and the boardroom.

“I remember being told by lecturers that I did not look like a lawyer,” she recalls. “They said that maybe I
should try social media marketing instead. It hurt, but it also motivated me. I knew what I wanted, and I was
determined to qualify.”

These early experiences shaped her desire to create inclusive learning spaces for others who may not fit the
traditional mould. “I do not want anyone to feel that they must look or behave a certain way to succeed,” she
says. “Authenticity is your biggest strength.” Recognising the struggles faced by young law graduates,
she established a mentorship and tutoring programme to help candidate attorneys prepare for their board
examinations. “I realised that I did not fit easily into the traditional schooling system,” she says. “When I saw how many others felt the same way, I wanted to create a space that made learning more practical and accessible.”

Her programme, which runs virtually during evenings and weekends, has helped nearly 400 law graduates
qualify as attorneys. It is a labour of love, offered at a minimal cost to participants. “Most candidate attorneys
earn very little,” she explains. “I wanted to create something that worked around their needs. We use
colours, creative tools, and interactive methods. I try to make learning fun, not intimidating.”

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Sonali’s innovative spirit and dedication to mentorship have not gone unnoticed. She has presented at
international legal technology conferences, including one in Dubai where her firm was recognised as the
Leading Law Firm of the Year in Commercial Finance Litigation. Her insights into legal technology and artificial intelligence have also been published in Jurisprudence magazine, and she has appeared on Gusto with GD, a business-focused television programme that explores how organisations can align their goals with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Her achievements were further celebrated when she appeared on the cover of Passion Vista magazine, which profiled her professional journey and family background.Within her own firm, her performance has been remarkable. “In the last six months of last year, our statistics were at 100 per cent month on month,” she notes proudly. “This year, we have maintained that consistency from March onwards, ranking as the number one attorney firm on our banking panels in
KwaZulu-Natal and in the country.” Her leadership was also recognised internationally when she was named as one of the global women leaders to look up to in 2025 at the Global Leadership Conference for Asia and Africa held in Sri Lanka.

LIVING HER TRUTH
Today, Sonali continues to advocate for women in leadership and for a more progressive approach to law. “Often we search for safe spaces where we can be heard,” she says thoughtfully. “If you keep looking
outside for validation, you miss the voice inside you that is trying to guide you towards your own authenticity.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her father’s firm onto an international platform and to inspire more
women to pursue their dreams without limits. “I want to show that being a South African woman from Durban does not confine you,” she explains. “Your dreams are not limited geographically or otherwise. I want people to look at me and think, she is being herself and living her truth, and I can do that too.”

Balancing ambition with wellbeing is something she continues to learn. “There were times when I felt
completely burnt out,” she admits. “I have learned that self-care is essential. Sometimes it is as simple as taking a walk on the promenade or having a quiet chat with my mum. Those moments help me recharge and return to my work with fresh energy."