This month we chat to admitted attorney,
Marlene Brits, who is also director at Marlene Brits Attorneys. Marlene holds
an LLB degree from the University of South Africa. I first connected with
Marlene on linkedIn after I read about the less traveled road she took on her
journey to become an attorney. While studying towards her LLB degree, Marlene
also served her Articles of Clerckship for a period of 5 years. The position
has changed, but in the past, the Legal Practice Act made provision for those
students who were still completing their LLB studies to either enter into a
five-year contract of articles or three year contract of articles (if they had
obtained a three-year undergraduate degree).
FWIL:
I concur with this
judgment, as the need to have Muslim marriages legally recognized is a need of
today’s society.
Marlene's story stood out to me because I had
never actually met anybody who had taken that route. I instantly connected with
her and a few months later, while working at the deeds office, we met formally
and she has been one of the women who have helped me (directly and indirectly)
navigate the chaos of that office.
FWIL:
What inspired you to study law?
MB:
I started working as an assistant in Pretoria
Deeds Office in 2012 and sometimes clients from my then principal would come
into the Deeds Office for their matters or to drop off documents. Their
expressions of gratitude was always something that struck a cord with me and
that is when I realised that law does change lives and that was my biggest
inspiration to enrol and start studying in 2013.
FWIL:
How did you manage to complete your 5-year Arcticles of Clerkship, while also pursuing your LLB degree?
MB:
FWIL:
How did you manage to complete your 5-year Arcticles of Clerkship, while also pursuing your LLB degree?
MB:
My parents were not in a position to assist
me or contribute towards my studies when I decided to start studying. So I
proceeded to apply for a Student loan
Studying part time and working full time is
really not easy. I think only those who also do it themselves really
understand.
You have a long and stressful day at work and in the evenings you
have to take the last bit of energy to study or do assignments. Weekends are
the only actual time you have to properly study but then you also just want to
rest on weekends. Having that discipline to choose between loafing around or
staying on track with studies was also hard. On weekends your friends are
social or go to parties but you can't always go because you know it will affect
your next day's schedule. One misses a lot of other important family events as
well due to studying. Sometimes felt like life was really passing me by.
I
think what kept me going is my drive to just finish what I started and
ultimately to create a better life for my parents
FWIL:
As a woman in law,
have you experienced gender bias? Please tell us about the challenges, if any,
that you have faced.
MB:
I have found that some
male clients do tend to be uncertain because I am a female lawyer, whether I am
“tough” enough to attend to a case. I have had male clients whom have asked me
“How can a little lady like you be tough
enough and get the result I want”. I simply smile politely and tell them
that it has nothing to do with gender. The instructions are executed
accordingly.
Furthermore, I think some
men in the legal profession are becoming a bit more envious that so many women
are in the legal field and the growth of female legal practitioners over the
years.
FWIL:
What does being an alpha female mean to you?
MB:
I think a female who stands up and addresses
the needs/issues of her counterparts, who might not necessarily have the access,
means or platform to voice and raise the same issues.
FWIL:
Do you identify as a feminist? (Why/why not)
MB:
Yes, I do consider myself a feminist, for
reasons that we as women have been unduly supressed and denied so many things
throughout the course of history. I think women have so much more perspective
and other insights when it comes to politics and all other important issues in
today’s society.
FWIL:
The journey of most legal professionals is
not always an easy one. What are some of the lessons you have learned along the
way and how have they shaped your outlook on life?
MB:
I have learned many lessons in my personal
life and career. Personal lessons I would say is never take anything for
granted and life can really change in the blink of an eye. During my 3rd
year my father had a debilitating stroke which changed our family and financial
situation drastically and this opened up my eyes a lot regarding the life we
take for granted. I try to make the best of each and every day. Career lessons
are that some days may be better than others, but tomorrow is a new day to
start over.
FWIL:
What is the best advice you would give to
aspiring legal professionals?
MB:
Focus on your studies, it might seem like a
mountain now and that it takes forever to finish, like you are the only one
sacrificing almost everything for that degree, but those late nights and early
mornings and missing social events, will really pay off.
FWIL:
What skills do you think every young lawyer
needs to have?
MB:
Definitely be organised. If your files are
not organised you will spend more time looking for important documents than
doing actual work.
Being timeous. Your time is your biggest
commodity.
Also, we need to remember that as lawyers, we
work with real people. People who have emotions, people that look up to you and
entrust you to solve or remedy a problem. Sometimes we wear the hat of a
therapist as well. So I think we must remember to be compassionate.
FWIL:
As a lawyer with your own firm, what do you
think is the key to getting great reviews?
MB:
The level of service and quality of your work
is going to determine your reviews and give you your reputation. Word of mouth
amongst satisfied / dissatisfied clients is the most powerful in my opinion.
FWIL:
What recent change/amendment in the law has
caught your attention? (Do you agree with the change? Why/why not)
MB:
It is not that recent but it is the 2018 case
of Women's Legal Centre Trust v President of the Republic
of South Africa and Others, Faro v Bignham N.O. and Others, Esau v Esau and
Others (22481/2014,
4466/2013, 13877/2015) [2018] ZAWCHC 109; [2018] 4 All SA 551 (WCC); 2018 (6)
SA 598 (WCC) (31 August 2018), which deals with Cape Town High Court which has
ordered Government to pass legislation for the recognition of Muslim Marriages,
in order to protect Muslim women and children’s rights.
I concur with this
judgment, as the need to have Muslim marriages legally recognized is a need of
today’s society.
FWIL:
The world is constantly changing, in your
opinion, what are some of the challenges that legal professionals will face in
future?
MB:
Technology is beneficial when it is time
conscious and improves work and our lives, but state departments (Deeds
Registry and the High Court) who want to go electronic in certain aspects of
their systems are not in my opinion beneficial. Many people will lose their
jobs if everything goes electronic, also when some departments are not even
functioning properly and are offline most of the time, what will it be like
when it everything goes electronic and you cannot physically access information
or speak to a staff member?
These challenges will cause more frustration
in the legal profession.
FWIL:
As a legal professional, it is quite
important to effectively use your network. How do you meet other legal
professionals and what are some of your effective networking skills?
MB:
Working in the Deeds Office for a few years
has fortunately resulted in meeting quite a few legal professionals. I have
established a Women’s Legal Networking Whatsapp Group in June 2019, where I
have also met a few ladies, but I think one can network anywhere you are –
whether it is standing in a queue at the bank or doing shopping – small talk
leads to “So what do you do” and that is when the conversation starts.
FWIL:
What does the term “role model” mean to you?
Which phenomenal woman in law would you call your role model?
MB:
Role model would be someone I can learn from
and incorporate in my own life. I would say a fellow colleague Mrs Ilizma Quinn
fits the description of role model to me. She works hard and despite having so
many years of experience, is always eager to know and learn more. Many people
in the field loathe being corrected, especially in conveyancing, she is not one
of them. I respect her for this a lot. She is also always interested and
supportive in whatever her fellow colleagues do.
FWIL:
What books have you read that have greatly
influenced your life?
MB:
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to
Personal Freedom – by Don Miguel Ruiz
FWIL:
What's a quote that you live by? Your mantra
MB:
“I suppose there are a lot of reasons to be
jaded or sarcastic or bitter in life, but I hang on to the reasons why life is beautiful.”
– Kelli O’Hara
FWIL:
What is your take on mentorship and are you
open to mentoring young lawyers or law students?
MB:
Mentorship in the legal field is vital. Not
all young lawyers or students get the necessary exposure they need in order to
be equipped for practice. I am very happy and open to assist in the fields I
can give exposure to others.
FWIL:
How can people reach out to you? (social
media handles)
Facebook: @Marlene Brits Attorneys
Instagram: lientjie_the_lawyer
Linkedin: Marlene Brits
Absolutely motivating and insightfull!
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