See full profile: Magalieskruin Attorney - Roxzanne Hamel
Were you always planning to be an Attorney and why?
Yes. I have always wanted to help people and fight for those who need it!
When meeting with clients do they mostly come to your rooms or do you mostly go their premises?
My clients come to my office
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about being an attorney?
The joy and relief a client experiences when their matter is concluded with a positive outcome. The pain, frustration and the heartache that has come with a divorce (or other legal matter) comes to an end, can be put behind them and the client can move forward towards a brighter future
Would you recommend becoming an attorney as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Yes and no. Although the job can be very rewarding, there can be a lot of frustration and hard work involved in getting a client the justice they deserve. Be prepared to work relentlessly for justice and hard with your client at resolving their matter as speedily and cost effectively as possible
What qualities should South Africans be looking for in their attorney?
Someone who keeps you updated, makes you as much part of the process as possible and who doesn't sugar coat matters. You need to make the best decisions by being honest with your attorney so that the two of you can work together to find the best and most practical solution for your matter.
In your view, what are the major problems and/or opportunities facing the legal profession?
"Opportunities abound for attorneys who are well prepared and have good, honest, open and frank relationships with their client's. When attorneys and clients are open and honest with each other, the best advice and strategies can be implemented for a client on a case by case basis.
A major problem is when inaccurate information is provided to an attorney. This can result in unrealistic expectations for the client and the attorney , not to mention making the attorneys job far more difficult and justice all the more difficult to achieve. It may also lead to frustration for not only the attorney or the client, but also the courts. Not to mention delays that may be caused in brining the matter to as speedy and positive outcome as possible."
What fields of law do you, as an attorney, mostly focus on?
Divorces, maintenance, contracts (commercial, sales, employment, non-disclosure, partnerships, memorandums of understanding, acknowledgements of debt etc), pre-nuptial agreements and general high court and magistrate's court litigation.
From your experience as an attorney, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons South Africans need advice from an attorney, what would it be?
To make the best decision regarding your matter, how to best handle it, what expectations you should have as well as the possibilities of settlement. Also, you need to know your rights (and your duties) so that you can make the best legal decisions for you, your business and your family's future
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some legal jobs and why/why?
"No, legal jobs should not be ""stolen"" by automation.
An attorney is someone with at least 4 years of study and 2 years of articles and a host of qualification exams for their specific law society/professional body (some attorneys such as myself have Master's Degrees and additional specific legal qualifications). This means that at least approximately 6 years of experience and education is had before legal advice is simply dispensed to the public without adequate insight.
Many complications may arise when unqualified persons advise the public or an automated system simply provides information without having insight into the latest case law or even the specifics of the particular person's case. Each case is different, each person is different and each person's experiences, side of the story and unique facts of the matter should be carefully considered before just merely dispensing a ""copy and paste"" document or advice."
Describe your average client:
My clients come from all walks of life, age groups and economic backgrounds. Some are seeking compensation for a wrong they have experienced, some are trying to ensure that they do not get taken advantage of in business, yet others seek advice prior to embarking on a venture by ensuring they have the correct tools (at least from a legal standpoint) with which to be secure in their decision making and futures.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
I have had clients seeking my assistance from as far as the USA, other countries in Africa as well as in almost every province
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I must admit, I am a lover of the outdoors. Hiking, fishing (strictly catch and release) and some fun boating on South Africa's many picturesque dams, rivers and of course oceans, is never a bad way to spend a little bit of off time.
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
View the great Serengeti wildebeest migration
What has your experience been on FindanAttorney
Good
