Corporate and Commercial Law

Expert Contract Management

Our firm excels in contract management, focusing on negotiation, drafting, and seamless execution to align with strategic business objectives. We emphasize risk mitigation and value enhancement through meticulous contract oversight, ensuring operational excellence for our clients.

Tax and Corporate Structuring Expertise​

In the realm of tax and corporate structuring, our firm offers strategic advice to navigate the complexities of global tax laws and corporate formation. We design structures that not only comply with current regulations but are also adaptable to future changes, ensuring sustainable growth and tax efficiency for our clients.

Cryptocurrency Legal Frameworks

As pioneers in the legal aspects of cryptocurrencies, we offer cutting-edge advice on transactions, regulatory compliance, and risk management in the digital asset space. Our proactive approach ensures clients are well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities while mitigating the inherent risks of this evolving market.

Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions Insight

We provide unparalleled guidance through the complexities of mergers and acquisitions, embodying a strategic approach that covers every phase from due diligence to successful integration. Our global perspective, combined with local insights, allows us to navigate cross-border transactions with precision, ensuring our clients achieve their investment and restructuring goals with confidence and legal rigor.

Exchange Control Advisory

Our exchange control advisory service provides crucial guidance on navigating the regulatory landscape of cross-border transactions and investments. We ensure compliance with exchange control regulations, enabling smooth and efficient international trade and financial flows.

International Trading Structures

With a wealth of experience in international trade, we advise on creating and optimizing trading structures that comply with international regulations and enhance global business operations. Our strategic legal solutions empower clients to navigate the complexities of international commerce with confidence.

André Olivier

Andre is a graduate from Stellenbosch University, holding a BA LLB degree and University of Cape Town where he obtained a LLM degree. He is further an attorney, conveyancer and notary.

Career

Following his admission as an attorney in 1995, Andre joined Nedbank (Boland Bank) in 1997 in its credit department focusing on irregular accounts, liquidations and sequestrations. Thereafter he spent valuable time as a senior legal advisor in Nedbank divisions (Property Finance and Private Clients areas) before returning to private practice in 2009 in Stellenbosch, focusing on property and commercial work. Andre has a no-nonsense pragmatic approach to fulfilling client mandates and legal challenges.

Leisure

Leisure time is spent hiking the many trails around Stellenbosch with his Border Collies, travelling locally and abroad and experimenting with various recipes in the kitchen.

Ané Wolhüter
Ané is an Associate and Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
Career
Ané studied at the University of Stellenbosch where she graduated with her BA LLB and LLB degrees in 2018 and 2020, respectively. In 2021, Ané joined Hatstone as a candidate attorney where she completed the requisite two years of training, gaining exposure in the Litigation and Corporate Commercial departments and whereafter she was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in March 2024. Ané serves in our Corporate Commercial department of Hatstone on a full-time basis, gaining experience in all aspects of Corporate and Commercial law, including commercial drafting, corporate structures and trust law.
Bronwin Gotz

As the Personal Assistant to our CEO and Office Manager for our bustling law firm, Bronwin is the driving force behind our seamless operations. Bronwin also provides executive administrative support to all our directors and attorneys.

Career

Bronwin started off in the culinary industry, whereafter a decade, decided to make a move into the corporate sphere and spent many years as a buyer in several industries. Bronwin joined Hatstone in May 2015, and after deciding that she wanted to commit to a future in the legal industry, she enrolled for, and qualified as, a Paralegal practitioner.

Hannes Botha

Hannes Botha is the Founder and CEO of Hatstone South Africa, renowned for its client-focused approach and bespoke legal services. An expert in corporate and commercial law, private client services, investment funds and stock exchange listings, Hannes advises leading international banks, publicly traded companies and high-net-worth families.

Career

Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 2004, he holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the Universities of South Africa and Pretoria respectively, with a focus on company and tax law. Hannes began his career in tax and private client work, later advancing his corporate law acumen as a Senior Associate at one of the world’s largest offshore law firms.

Jana Oosthuizen

Jana is a Candidate Attorney at Hatstone, pursuing her dream of becoming an Admitted Attorney. Jana completed her LLB from Stellenbosch University in 2022, whereafter she pursued a Master’s in Alternative Dispute Resolution focusing on Employment Rights, Mediation and International Commercial Arbitration. She joined Hatstone in 2024.

Career

During her studies, Jana seamlessly turned her love for cooking into a successful entrepreneurial venture, becoming a small business owner. Her journey also encompassed valuable experiences in the hospitality industry, refining her culinary skills and cultivating strong people skills.

Janke de la Harpe

Janke is a graduate from Stellenbosch University, holding a BCom LLB degree, currently advancing her career at Hatstone as a Candidate Attorney whilst embarking on the journey to become an Admitted Attorney.

Career

Throughout her academic journey, Janke engaged in various extracurricular activities, notably participating in international moot courts, demonstrating her innovative and effective approach to complex legal challenges.

Balancing studies with part-time work as a content creator for law firms, Janke honed her skills in clear communication and legal analysis.

Janke joined Hatstone in 2024.

Karien van der Berg

Karien is a Senior Associate at Hatstone and an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Career

Karien obtained her BProc and LLB through the then Rand Afrikaans University and was admitted as an attorney in 2003. She also practiced as an advocate of the Johannesburg Bar.

Karien joined the team in 2018 and brings extensive experience in commercial litigation, and commercial law in general, to our Corporate Commercial team whilst heading our Trust Services division.

Mariana Botha-Schoeman

Mariana is a Director at Hatstone and an Admitted Attorney in the High Court of South Africa.

Career

Mariana joined Hatstone in 2014 and has experience in Litigation, Corporate and Commercial matters. She also facilitates the Offshore Private Client services at Hatstone.

In addition to her LLB degree, she also has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a post graduate Diploma in Leadership from the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Mariana has a keen interest in alternative dispute resolution and is an experienced corporate, civil and family mediator.

Menko Hoeksema
Menko is a Director at Hatstone and an Admitted Attorney in the High Court of South Africa, joining the Hatstone team in 2018.
Career
Menko obtained an LLB degree and a Certificate in Advanced Labour Law both from the University of Pretoria. Having successfully handled a diverse range of cases, Menko is well-versed in the complexities of civil disputes, commercial transactions and labour-related issues. Menko is a seasoned legal professional with extensive expertise in litigation, specializing in Civil, Commercial and Labour law. With a wealth of experience, Menko brings strategic and effective representation for individuals and businesses alike.
Millicent Van Aarde

Millicent is an Admitted Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer.

Career

Millicent obtained her LLB degree in 2007 and was admitted as an Attorney in 2009.

Millicent joined a boutique firm in Cape Town where she gained experience in litigation, debt collection and recovery of motor vehicles. Millicent has extensive experience of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 and its provisions. Milllicent furthered her studies and passion for Property Law and was admitted as a Notary and Conveyancer in 2019.

Millicent joined Hatstone as a Consultant in December 2022.

Nicole Pietersen
Nicole is a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduate from Stellenbosch University. She joined Hatstone as a Legal Assistant in September 2023 and serves within our Private Client’s division.
Career
Nicole dedicated herself to full-time studies at the University of Stellenbosch from 2019 to 2022, supplementing her academic pursuits by working part-time as an assistant to a professor in 2021 and applying her skills as a sales associate during university holidays and weekends, participating in pop-up markets while diligently pursuing her LLB degree.
Ursula Scott
Ursula is our dedicated Accountant at Hatstone, obtaining her degree from the University of South Africa and joining the Hatstone team in 2021.
Career
With over 20 years of experience in the field, Ursula brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our company. Her extensive and varied background in Accounting enables her to contribute significantly to the success of Hatstone, whilst her proficiency and attention to detail ensure our financial operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Victor Botha
Victor is a registered AGA(SA), member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, and Hatstone’s Group Financial Manager.
Career
Victor started working in construction and hospitality whilst studying part-time. In 2017, he joined BGR Nortjé Inc where he completed his SAICA training and obtained his degree in Financial Accounting from the University of South Africa. He remained at BGR Nortjé after completing his training contract as an Assistant Audit Manager. Victor joined Hatstone in January 2022.

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