Membership Information Brochure
24 Law Firms
220 Professionals
33 Law Offices
8 Provinces
South Africa’s Largest
Association of Law Firms
The Phatshoane Henney Group is an association of independent firms, not practising in partnership and with separate liability
page 2
Overview
The Phatshoane Henney Group is
ness development, BEE verifica-
a national group of independent
tion, national recruitment initia-
The group addresses the strategic
firms
association
tives, legal knowledge manage-
need of firms to address their BEE
but not in partnership and with
ment, research support, group
profile, increase their firm visibility,
separate liability.
newsletters, group training pro-
access high-quality support services,
grammes etc. These support ser-
establish progressive marketing in-
The group, entering its seventh
vices assist firms to reduce their
frastructure,
year, was founded by the law
own infrastructure requirements,
power with financial institutions,
firm Phatshoane Henney inc. and
remain competitive and substan-
leverage cost reductions and posi-
with 24 law firms and 35 offices
tially
tion
in 8 Provinces and with a current
from their completion, ultimately
professionals tally
allowing firms to concentrate on
practising
in
already
ex-
ceeding 220 professionals, the
differentiate
their
firms
the business of practising law.
group constitutes the largest association of legal firms in South
Although members practice inde-
Africa.
pendently, members also have
access to the group services di-
Members benefit from the na-
rectory providing access to the
tional brand, group marketing
specialist legal services and re-
initiatives,
sources
group
support
ser-
vices, group strategic partner-
available
within
themselves
negotiating
strategically
for
growth.
Group membership continues to
grow as vital support services,
strategic partnerships,
business opportunities and group
bargaining power constitute
the necessary incentive for
any law firm to consider
group membership.
the
group.
ships, group rates and discounts,
group BEE initiatives and more.
enhance
Member firms, large and small benAlthough not contractually required,
efit from their membership and the
strong relationships and referral net-
model is such that it affords and
Firms receive access to vital sup-
works are naturally fomented be-
ensures value and appropriateness
port services such as marketing
tween member firms, providing ad-
to all member firms, irrespective of
infrastructure and support, busi-
ditional benefit to member firms.
size or location.
Through the group’s BEE practices and its involvement and planning with member
firms, group verification results for 2011 excelled, with the average BEE level of
group firms being Level Two compliance and with most firms also being recognized
as Value Adding Suppliers for BEE procurement recognition.
Sustainable BEE practices
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Group Membership
Separate but in association
Black Equity is taken up on a non
and other benefits. These part-
Members
independent
-executive basis in member firms
nerships are constantly expanded
and in full control of their firm,
to assist firms to address their
and reflect the benefit to firms of
but practice in association with
BEE profile and implement sus-
the group’s size and national
each other and under a national
tainable and compliant BEE prac-
footprint.
group brand and identity.
tices.
remain
Group Brand
National Network
Business Development
The group brand is continuously
Members form part of the group
The group assist firms with ad-
developed and enhanced for the
national network and obtain ac-
vice and guidance on business
benefit of members and increase
cess to the increasing economies
development
the
of scale and negotiating power
strategic marketing and organi-
group vis-à-vis the firm, and as-
inherent in the group. Additional-
zation, introducing new service
sists in the creation of awareness
ly, the network creates new busi-
areas, and in general improving
for each member firm, without
ness opportunities that member
the practice positioning of the
derogating
firms can benefit from.
firm.
firm’s existing corporate identity.
BEE
Strategic Partnerships
Centralised Management
Members are proactively assisted
Firms draw substantial benefit
A centralised management com-
with the development of their
from a growing range of strate-
mittee
BEE Profile and undergoing for-
gic partnerships with financial
tives of all member firms ensure
mal
institutions,
clients,
that member firms are involved
the group’s relationship with ver-
Law Faculties, software provid-
with strategic decisions regard-
ification agents, firms are assist-
ers, telecommunication providers
ing
ed with understanding and im-
and more, which provide firms
branding, strategic partnerships,
plementing verification require-
access
business opportunities, training
ments.
rates, discounts, volume breaks
BEE
verification.
Also,
where
Through
required,
to
and
positioning,
corporate
preferential
interest
brand
positioning
from
comprising
ma rketing,
the
of
the
member
representa-
me mbership,
initiatives, etc.
Through the group management committee, monthly progress reports and
regular communication and feedback to member firms, the group ensures
transparency and involvement by all member firms in the management and
strategic direction of the group.
Transparent management and participation
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page 6
Support Services
Branding
Group training
behalf of group firms, with recruit-
Member firms are incorporated into
Through the group’s e-learning plat-
ment strategies ranging from re-
the group brand and all group mar-
form, group training programmes
cruitment posters, flyers, brochures,
keting documentation. Group firms
are delivered effectively to group
website
retain their identity but identify
employees and professionals across
presentations,
themselves as ‘a member of the
South Africa. The group utilizes the
open day attendance and more.
phatshoane henney group of associ-
Group Skills Fund for the develop-
ated firms.’
ment of new training programmes
Marketing
as well as the creation of new group
The group has a full time strategic
BEE support and advice
services in respect of legal develop-
marking consultant firm that pro-
Member firms receive specialist BEE
ment.
vides extensive strategic marketing
support and advice to assist in es-
announcements,
academic
class
awards,
services to each member firm, im-
tablishing sustainable BEE practices,
Knowledge Centre
plements marketing infrastructure,
complying with the latest BEE re-
Members have access to the group
and coordinates the marketing plan
quirements and undergoing formal
Knowledge Centre, a state of the art
to differentiate the firm and align
BEE verification.
legal research centre, staffed by full-
the group benefits and brand for
time
maximum
legally-trained
professionals,
exposure
and
flow
Skills development support
with access to a large resource
through of value to firm clients. The
Firms are assisted with implement-
base, providing research support,
marketing
infrastructure
ing workplace skills plans, reclaiming
templates and examples, newslet-
electronic
marketing
of grants, registration of candidate
ters, legal updates and more to
through email branding, newslet-
attorney learnerships / internships.
members and their clients.
ters, websites, and more as well as
Additionally, the group has estab-
includes
campaigns
a tailored marketing plan for each
lished a Group Skills Fund (from re-
Recruitment
firm and customer relationship man-
claimed levies) utilized for group
The group annually conducts an
agement (CRM) strategy.
training
intensive recruitment campaign at
grammes.
and
development
pro-
all major university universities on
The Phatshoane Henney Group Honour Medal Programme has established itself as the premier
award at 8 Law Faculties in South Africa. The honour medal is awarded to LL.B students that complete their LL.B degree Cum Laude. In 2011 the group awarded 48 honour medals to LL.B students,
with group firms playing a major role in the presentation of the medals at award ceremonies.
Phatshoane Henney Honour Medal Programme
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Strategic Partnerships
Preferential interest rates are afford-
tailored a highly cost-effective and
count provides group firms with the
ed to group firms using the Stand-
comprehensive
product
option of obtaining discounted flight
ard Bank Third Party Fund Admin-
for the short-term business insur-
tariffs and other benefits when do-
istration System, the Nedbank Cor-
ance needs of member firms, ensur-
ing a corporate booking via FlyMan-
porate Saver System and/or the In-
ing broad policy wording and prefer-
go
vestec Corporate Cash Manager Sys-
ential treatment of group firms.
insurance
tem, with interest rates determined
on the basis of the entire group
The expanding strategic relationship
portfolio with these institutions.
with Vodacom allows group firms to
benefit from reduced call rates as
The group continually seeks
new partnerships which add
value to member firms, create
business opportunities or enable firms to access preferential
treatment, discounts or savings.
Group firms, due to the group’s na-
well as partnering with a leader in
tional footprint, have also been ap-
the
pointed as preferred legal service
affording group firms access to a
providers to LegalWise in respect of
variety of convergence and data
The group has also established stra-
their premier Platinum legal risk in-
solutions to address ever-increasing
tegic relationships with a number of
surance policy.
demands for quality telecommunica-
training providers to develop cours-
tion services.
es for the training of group staff in
telecommunications
industry,
Through the group partnership with
the latest legal developments, com-
Glenrand MIB, the group profession-
A close relationship with leading
puter skills and other disciplines,
al indemnity scheme for top-up PI
legal software provider Korbitec in
ensuring that group staff are able to
cover affords each member firm
respect of their Ghostconvey and
provide exceptional service to cli-
with R75 million cover on a per
Windeed software products allows
ents.
claims basis, ensuring that firms are
group firms to access preferential
capable of addressing even the most
transaction rebates when using the-
stringent of panel requirements in
se products.
respect of professional indemnity.
Additionally, Glenrand MIB has also
The group corporate MangoPlus ac-
Citadel Trust remains involved in the trust management of the Phatshoane Henney Foundation
(NPO Registration Number 067-759-NPO) as the independent corporate trustee of the Foundation,
a necessary function in expanding the Foundation as a non-profit organisation for socio-economic
development and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Phatshoane Henney Foundation
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Becoming a Member Firm
Member firms are prominent firms in
ual members, but complements the
The monthly association fee is tax
their regions with good repute and
existing practice and provides econ-
deductible as well as counting to-
standing with clients and financial
omies of scale and support for
wards the BEE Procurement and
institutions.
growth and expansion.
Enterprise Development spend of
member firms.
New members are assessed prior to
The cost model for group member-
any formal offer of membership,
ship has been developed on the ba-
Membership of the group may be
and members are required to con-
sis of simplicity, affordability and
terminated by notice at the discre-
duct their practices in a legal and
ease of administration.
tion of a member without any costs
ethical manner in accordance with
the relevant Law Societies.
or compensation being payable.
Accordingly member firms pay only
Members are afforded exclusivity
a fixed monthly association fee for
To find out more about becoming a
full group membership:
member of the Phatshoane Henney
within a specific territory as the only
Group or to arrange for a detailed
group member firm in the territory.
i. For firms with an annual turnover
presentation on the benefits of
This exclusivity does not prohibit
less than R5 million, the monthly
group membership for your firm,
members from providing its services
association fee is R10,000 plus
please contact Soekie Smith at:
outside the exclusivity area.
VAT.
ii. For firms with an annual turnover
Membership does not place any obli-
greater
than R5 million, the
gation on a member firm to restrict
monthly
its scope or range of services or to
R16,500 plus VAT.
association
fee
is
: +27 51 400 4173
: +27 51 400 4161
: [email protected]
utilize any associated firm as a correspondent.
There are no hidden costs relating
For more information visit our web-
to membership of the group, allow-
site at www.phfirms.co.za
Membership of the group does not
ing members to budget and manage
download the group’s most recent
restrict the independence of individ-
their association costs.
Annual Report.
and
Group membership provides a viable alternative for law firms to obtain the
benefits accompanying size, brand, and a national presence as well as critical
support services, without having to sacrifice its independence and corporate
culture.
A viable alternative
Barry Botha Breytenbach inc.
Port Shepstone
Breytenbach Mavuso inc.
Bethlehem
Cilliers & Reynders inc.
Centurion | Thabazimbi
Cloete & Neveling inc.
Harrismith
Davel de Klerk & Kgatla inc.
Polokwane
Erasmus de Klerk inc.
Randburg
Greyvensteins inc.
Port Elizabeth
Contact Details
Kloppers Richards Bay inc.
Richards Bay
Kloppers Empangeni inc.
Empangeni
Kloppers Durban inc.
Durban
Kotzé Low Swanepoel
Vryburg | Stella
Head Office
Phatshoane Henney inc.
PHi Building | 17 Third Avenue
Bloemfontein | South Africa
Lange Carr Wessels inc.
Upington
Millers inc.
George | Cape Town
Meyer van Sittert & Kropman
Klerksdorp
: +27 51 400 4173
: +27 51 400 4161
: [email protected]
: www.phfirms.co.za
Naudes inc.
Bloemfontein | Sandton
Neil Esterhuysen Attorneys
Centurion
Neumann van Rooyen inc.
Welkom
Nostix (Pty) Ltd
Bloemfontein
Oosthuizen Marais & Pretorius inc.
Mosselbaai
Schulz Wiesinger O‘Dwyer
Ballito | Wartburg
Thatham Wilkes inc.
Pietermaritzburg
Van de Wall & Partners
Kimberley
Van der Spuy & Partners
This brochure is intended for marketing purposes only and
Paarl | Cape Town
should not in any way be construed as an offer of member-
Van der Merwe du Toit inc.
ship in the Phatshoane Henney Group of Associated Firms.
Reading this brochure does not guarantee, entitle or commit
Pretoria
Wright Rose-Innes inc.
Johannesburg | Bedfordview
any person or organisation to any membership status with the
group. Any future discussion or approval of membership remains in the sole discretion of Phatshoane Henney inc. and
subject to terms and conditions.