The Team

Douglas Smart

Douglas completed his law degree through the University of South Africa in 1994 and was admitted as an attorney in 1995. After practicing for a year as an associate with Simon & Goetzsche Attorneys in Rosebank, Johannesburg, he took a years’ leave from law to travel.

Douglas specialises in commercial law covering a wide range of industry and business sectors. He also provides high level input and expertise on the firm’s litigation matters where necessary.

Since 1996 he has been involved in corporate structuring and advising, negotiating, facilitating and drafting of commercial transactions in construction and property development, manufacturing, IT, ICT and telecoms, intellectual property, real estate, mining, trade, transport, farming, insurance, real estate and personal, professional, financial and business services.

He is experienced in company and corporate law, business establishment, partnerships and joint ventures, agency and distribution, financing and lending, and the sale, purchase and merger of businesses.

Chelsea Grové

Chelsea obtained her LLB degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2016. In 2017 she commenced her articles of clerkship at Brian Kahn Inc. in Craighall Park, Johannesburg, after which she practiced as an associate at Brian Kahn Inc. until joining the firm in July 2020.

Chelsea heads the firm’s commercial litigation department. She is experienced in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, as well as labour law. She has also participated in various commercial transactions and continues to assist Douglas in the firm’s commercial matters.

Pilate Nyathi

Mr Nyathi is the firm’s Logistics Manager and Chief Fixer. Pilate (pronounced ‘Pilot’) started with the firm in 2003 as the ‘Estate Manager’, attending to the maintenance and upkeep of the firm’s offices and in 2005 Pilate was appointed as the firm’s Court Messenger and Logistics Specialist. We’re really not sure what Pilate’s ‘official’ title is these days, – he just gets stuff done!

Charlotte Dibilong

Charlotte is the firm’s Gatekeeper, Salesperson-sniffer-outer, and Cappuccino-maker extraordinaire. Charlotte started with us in 2010, and is the friendly voice who answers when you phone our offices and smile that greets you when you visit. In addition to reception, Charlotte overseas the general office administration and supplies, and is the person who knows where all the bodies files are buried kept.