As the world moves: leading African firm Deneys promotes five talented lawyers to Senior Associate

Leading African law firm Deneys has today announced the promotions to Senior Associate of admiralty, shipping and transport lawyer Nicholene Mazibuko, real estate attorneys and conveyancers Elam Matthews and Tholakele Mrubata, commercial litigator Hlonela Mayosi, and public interest lawyer Nicola Irving. 

In the wake of the launch of Deneys’ full brand identity, these promotions further signal the newly independent firm’s focus on the future, and its stated commitment to transformation and being a platform for the next generation of African lawyers. 

Speaking to Africa Legal last month, Deneys CEO Brent Botha said that creating opportunities for talented lawyers to grow, lead, and shape the future of the profession was a priority for the pioneering firm. “Transformation is a core strategic commitment, and as Deneys we strive to build a firm that reflects the diversity and talent of the profession and the society it serves. We will continue investing in our people and in building a firm where the next generation of legal leaders can thrive."

That investment is on show today with the promotion of the five new Senior Associates, who each joined the firm in 2021-2023, and span various practice areas and offices.

Irving and Mayosi began with the firm as Candidate Attorneys in 2021, while Matthews, Mrubata, and Mazibuko joined as young associates between 2021 to 2023, after having completed their articles of clerkship at other South African law firms. 

Each of the promotions is richly deserved, says Botha, adding that it had been a pleasure to watch the five talented lawyers grow within the firm in recent years. 

Now based in the Johannesburg of Deneys, after beginning her career with studies and legal practice in Durban, Mazibuko focuses on admiralty and marine insurance matters. A law graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she has represented clients in urgent High Court applications and marine insurance disputes, and has experience in ship arrests, Boards of Inquiry, cargo theft and damage claims and port equipment procurement.

Matthews and Mrubata are members of the Deneys real estate team in the Johannesburg and Cape Town offices, respectively. A law graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, Matthews is also a notary, represents clients in real estate matters, and has experience in special and general notarial bonds, property due diligences, and renewable energy due diligences. Mrubata, who earned her law degree at the University of the Western Cape, focuses on all aspects of real estate transactions specialising in transfers, bond registrations and servitude registrations. 

Based in Johannesburg, commercial litigator Mayosi is also a law graduate of the University of the Western Cape, and last year added a Postgraduate Certificate in Prospecting and Mining Law from the University of the Witwatersrand. He focuses on general corporate, commercial and regulatory disputes, and has experience in licensing disputes, municipal rates and taxes, debt recovery and regulatory matters. 

Irving also works out of the Johannesburg office, and like Mayosi joined the firm as a Candidate Attorney in 2021. A public interest lawyer, she focuses on environmental, administrative and child law, representing community organisations, non-profit companies and community trusts in pro bono and public interest litigation, and has experience in illegal waste dumping, wildlife crime, evictions, land claims, police brutality and unlawful arrest matters. While completing her articles, she earned a Masters in Environmental Law from the University of Pretoria. Irving has also served as Vice-Chair of Environmental Law Association of South Africa since Oct 2023.

As the world moves, Deneys is moving with it. 

Today’s promotions build on moves made in recent months to bolster Deneys' strong leadership and talent base as it exited the Norton Rose Fulbright verein, re-embraced independence, and looked to an exciting future. 

Dispute resolution specialist Sandile Khoza, who began with the firm as a candidate attorney in 2007, was appointed Regional Head for Durban. Employment and Labour director Cameron Wilson joined the Durban office, while dispute resolution lawyer Kiasha Nagiah and banking and finance lawyer CJ Grey were promoted to director.

A pioneering Africa-first law firm with global perspective and expertise, Deneys has served clients through some of the most complex and consequential periods in South Africa’s history, and is committed to evolving alongside the industries and markets it serves, built on a founding principle of embracing what’s next.