Trusted Legal Expertise with You in Mind
About Us
De Wet Wepener Inc. t/a DW Attorneys is an incorporated company of attorneys in Bloemfontein and Welkom, Free State Province, South Africa.
Founded in August 2016 by Martus de Wet and Ernst Wepener, DW Attorneys has grown to a prominent law firm in the Free State. We believe in a client centered approach and strive to achieve this purpose through excellence and intuitive teamwork.
Our firm brings together diverse legal experience ranging from property transactions and administration of deceased estates to labour law, civil and criminal litigation, as well as debt collection and commercial work.
Our Mission & Values
Mission
Breaking boundaries through innovative, decisive action
Values
Client First
Place clients at the core of everything we do and providing personal attention
Integrity
Being ethical, honest and committed
Respect
Sensitive to individual differences and treat everyone with dignity
Relationships
Build strong relationships of trust with our clients and our community
Excellence
Strive for excellence in everything we do and aspire to outperform
Our Team
We invite you to contact us to discuss your legal matters and assure you that you have found a trusted partner in law that will provide personal service and will take care of all your needs and requirements at all times.
Ernst Wepener - Director
(LL.B, M.Inst.D)
Ernst obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of the Free State. He started his career Rossouw and Conradie Incorporated, Bloemfontein, 2006, during which he gained valuable experience in conveyancing and high court litigation. Since mid-2012 he worked at Anton Kruger Attorneys, Virginia, where he attended to property transfers, deceased estates, collections and litigation matters. Ernst is an admitted attorney of the High Court as well as a conveyancer and a director at De Wet Wepener Incorporated, Welkom. He is also a registered property practitioner and serves on Investigations and Practice Management Committees of the Legal Practice Council, Free State as well as the Executive Committee of the Goldfields Multi Listing Society.
Martus de Wet - Director
(LL.B, M.Inst.D. CML))
Martus obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of South Africa (UNISA) whilst he was working in the legal department of a non-profit medical group.
He obtained a Certificate in Medicine and Law from the University of Pretoria and UNISA (jointly). He is an admitted attorney of the High Court and has obtained High Court Appearance rights. He became a director of De Wet Wepener Incorporated, Welkom in 2016 and is specialising in corporate and Labour law with particular focus on corporate governance and ethics. He is the current chairperson of the Free State Legal Practice Council as well as the North Free State Attorneys Association and serves on the governing bodies of various non-profit and business entities. He also serves as a part time CCMA Commissioner.
Ellen Pike - Director, Partner & Consultant
(B. Iuris, LL.B)
Ellen studied at the University of the Free State and obtained a B. Iuris in 1990 and LL.B in 1992. She was admitted as an attorney since 1994 and conveyance since 1996. She obtained her right of appearance in the High Court in 1996 and has since practiced for her own account as a director and partner for more than 20 years. Ellen completed training for Aspirant Judges in 2017 and acted as a judge in the Free State High Court for a term in 2017. She completed advanced training for Aspirant Judged of Aspirant Judges in 2018. Ellen joined the DW Attorneys Bloemfontein office as a consultant in 2022 where she specialises in conveyancing. Ellen enjoys the company of her friends, healthy debates, reading and outdoor life.
Christo Zietsman - Consultant
(B. Iuris, LL.B)
Christo graduated 1992 (UOFS), obtaining an LL.B degree. After completing his articles at Symington de Kok Attorneys, Bloemfontein, he was admitted as an attorney in 1993 and practiced as a professional assistant, director and consultant with various firms in the Free State. Christo was appointed as Acting Additional Magistrate in 2017, a position he held for two years. He joined DW Attorneys in 2020 as consultant and is also property specialist with RE/MAX Goldfields. With almost 30 years of legal experience, Christo is a respected and seasoned litigant, a devoted family man and passionate about his clients.
Seeiso Khesa - Associate
(LL.B)
Seeiso obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the National University of Lesotho, after which he was admitted as a practicing advocate in Lesotho. He was admitted as an advocate in Lesotho during 2014 as well as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa at the same time. Seeiso specializes in criminal litigation and is well known for his work in the Free State. He has obtained the right to appear in the High Court and regularly appears in the High Court, Regional and District Courts.
Este Halgreen - Associate
(LL.B)
Este obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2017 and was admitted as Attorney in 2018. She also obtained a Certificate in Practical Labour Law from the University of Cape Town. Prior to her admission, she worked at law firm for more than ten years, gaining valuable ground level experience. She then completed her clerkship at Maree Gouws Attorneys, Welkom. Since April 2021 she is working at DW Attorneys as an associate. Este is experienced in family and labour law and currently heads up the Labour Law Department at DW Attorneys. Her specialities and focus areas include conducting conciliations and arbitrations in the CCMA and Bargaining Council, as well as employment contracts, codes of conduct, policies, and POPIA compliance.
Andrea Nel - Associate
(LL.B)
Andrea obtained her Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B) from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and completed her articles at Louw Maree Inc and Maree Van Wyk Inc. She has been in the legal industry (prior to her admission) for several years, gaining valuable experience in deceased estates, civil litigation, family law and collections. She is an admitted attorney and heads up the Collections Department at the Welkom DW Attorneys Office.
Services
Property Transfers
Property transfers are managed by Ernst Wepener, who has more than 10 years of experience in conveyancing related work. Our dedicated team has a hands-on approach, and endeavour to attend to all property transfers effortlessly in the shortest possible time.
Labour Law
Through our AHI accreditation, we are able to represent employers in conciliations, arbitration and trade union negotiations. We provide a holistic labour law solution to employers, which includes drafting of contracts, disciplinary hearings, CCMA and bargaining council representation, as well as labour court matters. We further have a proven track record in assists Employees in the CCMA and various Barging Councils.
Criminal Litigation
Our firm has a dedicated criminal law team, specialising in representing clients in District, Regional, and High Courts. Our attorneys are available 24/7 for bail applications and assistance in any criminal matter.
Civil Litigation
Through our civil litigation department, we have had significant success in the Magistrate's, Regional Civil and High Courts. In deserving cases, we work on a contingency fee (no win, no pay) basis. Clients receive individualized attention and through our network of advocates, we are able to provide the specific expertise needed for each application or claim.
Deceased Estates
The death of a loved one can be traumatic and the burden of administration of a deceased estate can be onerous. We strive to assist grieving family members through the legal quagmire of reporting and finalizing the estate of the deceased. It is our aim to do this within the shortest time possible and with the minimum effort for family members.
Commercial and Corporate Law
Clients embarking on business ventures are advised on the most appropriate structures and the various issues and risks that need to be considered. We also assist new and existing companies with compliance with the Companies Act and relevant regulations, including corporate governance with King VI. This includes serving as external members on Risk & Audit Committees and Social & Ethics Committees.
Debt Review and Credit Law
The DW Attorneys Credit Law department focuses on complex litigation (such as reckless credit applications, reinstatements, etc) arising from the National Credit Act. This includes collections, litigation and assisting debt counsellors in any court across all nine provinces of South Africa.
Family law
Though our family law team we have attorneys with extensive experience in Divorce litigation and mediation, Maintenance (both spousal and child) and Child custody matters. It is important to know your rights and our firm will guarantee that you are well taken care of. We also assist in the drafting and registering of pre-nuptial contracts.
Commercial Work
We already have a reputation of assisting numerous clients in the drafting a vast variety of agreements and providing advice to new and existing business.
Leasing
Lessors from throughout the Goldfields requested assistance with the administration of leasing their property, being commercial and residential premises. We attend to lessor's rights, by assuring payment be made timeously as well as municipal accounts being paid up to date.
Contact
Do you have a question about our services or would like further information, please complete the form below and a member of our team will back to you shortly.
Email: mail@dwinc.co.za
Office: 057 004 0004