Hein Visser
Candidate Attorney and President of CA Association
Born 06-10-1986
in Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Law graduate with business degree, currently completing articles of clerkship at a leading South African law firm, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (member of the international DLA Piper Group) in Cape Town, South Africa. Experience in Corporate & Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Competition departments. Due to be admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in February 2012.
Integrally involved in the corporate and commercial practice of former managing partner, specifically in structuring and implementing cross-border transactions, and specializing in compliance work. Accumulated a broad range of transferable skills through various extra-curricular leadership positions, such as Executive Chairperson of the Cape Town Candidate Attorneys' Association (CTCAA), and of the Law Students' Society (LSS) at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). Travelled internationally at university level for leadership programs to the United Kingdom and United States of America.
I am committed towards client care, integrity and honesty, and regard myself as an achiever with a natural affinity to lead. I have a genuine interest in corporate law, finance and economics, and would consider relocating to any major city in the world for the right opportunity.
Business Address
Hein Visser's Professional details
Current Position(s)
Candidate Attorney | Corporate and Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Mediation and Arbitration, Competition Departments | Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc
Cape Town, South Africa | 2010 - present
Law Practice and Legal Services
Corporate and Commercial Department
1. Consulting with key decision-makers within client companies daily, both independently as well as with my direct principal (former managing partner and director of Corporate and Commercial department)
2. Assisting on multi-million rand cross-border and local transactions
3. Drafting, negotiating and settling a wide spectrum of agreements, including Sale of Shares Agreements, Sale of Assets Agreements, Executive Employment Agreements, Franchise Agreements, Licensing Agreements and Shareholders Agreements
4. Advising on current legal affairs, such as the effect of the new Companies Act on director's duties and liabilities, and its implications for businesses in South Africa
5. Conducting needs assessments and informing clients of the latest developments
6. Compliance work under the new Consumer Protection Act, advising and assisting clients such as Levi Strauss and Burger King on establishing franchises in South Africa.
Dispute Resolution Department
1. Management of various client matters, independently and within a team of directors and associates
2. Assisting on a number of High Court trials relating to curatorship recovery of R1.3 billion misappropriated funds from Fidentia
3. Assisting on commercial litigation trials relating to partnership disputes, and acting for the City of Cape Town in constitutional natured matters
4. Acting for the Road Accident Fund and major Insurance Companies in Magistrate's Court trials.
Competition Department
1. Assisting on merger matters, e.g. preparation of merger notification documentation for the acquisition of Defy by Arcelik
2. Assisting on litigation matters related to prohibited practices, e.g. Steinhoff International's successful Intervention Application in MTO/Boskor merger, and Shoprite's (largest retailer in South Africa) defence of allegation relating to exclusive agreements
3. Drafting advisory opinions to clients, e.g. Reasonability of restraints of trade
4. Drafting pleadings and interacting and consulting with the Competition Tribunal, Competition Commission, counsel and clients
5. Writing and publishing articles relating to Tribunal/Appeal Court judgments.
Previous Position(s)
Achievements
Awards
Good-fellowship Award, Faculty of Law, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | 2007
The Good Fellowship Award is awarded to 1 (one) law student in the NMMU Faculty of Law on an annual basis, selected by a third year student vote.
The Trent Lott Leadership Program is an exchange program with the University of Mississippi, focusing on Race, Religion and Reconciliation. Each university elected 6 (six) postgraduate students from its respective universities to represent their countries abroad. The Trent Lott program completely reshaped the way I view race relations and I intend staying involved in similar programs.
Abe Bailey Leadership Bursary, United Kingdom | 2009
The Abe Bailey travel bursary is awarded to 1 (one) student at every university in South Africa, through an incredibly extensive recruitment process. I was fortunate to be elected as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University representative and consequently had the opportunity to travel to various parts of the United Kingdom, including University of Cambridge, Oxford University, London and Edinburgh, on a leadership program with some of South Africa’s brightest young minds.
Criteria for the bursary included leadership qualities and a strong service ethic to the community. The Abe Bailey Program was the most powerful experience of my life, and has played a huge role on my outlook on, and attitude towards life.
media exposure
Co-authored an article that was published in the legal magazine, Without Prejudice, which is published on a national level on a monthly basis. The article, "Contemplating the Leniency Policy", addresses the operation of the current Corporate Leniency Policy in a competition law sphere in South Africa.
Competitive Accomplishments
1st (Academic Society of the Year) | ABSA Student Achievement Awards, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | 2008
Under my guidance, the Law Student Society was voted "Academic Society of the Year" at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Fees | Fees | 2010
Consistently ranked amongst top 3-fee earners for my law firm in relation to other candidate attorneys on my level.
Academic Achievements
Completed LLB degree amongst top 10 students in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Faculty of Law
Golden Key International Honour Society is one of the world's largest honour society, acknowledging academic excellence through invitations to the top 15 (fifteen) percent of degree students.
Other Achievements
Student Parliament, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | 2008
Being a member of student parliament entailed congregating on a quarterly basis to voice personal and representative views to the Student Representative Council.
The Faculty of Law asked 6 senior students to preside over and evaluate first year students during their moot court cases.
Activities
Memberships
Member, 2010 - present
Round Table is an open minded and dynamic global organisation for young professional men to enhance networking, charity work and fellowship. The Association is truly a formidable platform to grow as an individual, as well as give back to the community.
Chairperson, Public Relations Officer, 2005 - 2009
The LSS is the governing body for law students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The LSS Executive Committee is nominated and voted for by fellow students within the law faculty, which comprises of approximately 500 students. The society primarily focuses on academia, charity initiatives and arranging social gatherings for law students.
Responsibilities
1. Introduced a Vacation Work program to secure employment for law student.
2. Revived the Street Law initiative with Charity Golf Day fundraiser.
3. Successfully petitioned for reintroduction of the trial work module.
4. Represented law students at quarterly faculty meetings.
5. Coordination, publication and distribution of the Ratio legal magazine.
6. Creation and launch of the LSS’s first website.
7. Organised Human Rights seminars and Public Speaking
8. Hosted the LSS's inaugural Charity Golf Day.
Chairperson, Public Relations Officer, 2010 - present
The CTCAA is an organisation constituted for all the candidate attorneys in the greater Cape Town area. The Executive is elected by fellow candidate attorneys, which committee is made up of approximately 10 candidate attorneys from various law firms. The committee thereafter elects the CTCAA's chairperson.
Responsibilities
1. Establishing/fostering mutually beneficial relationships with corporates
2. Planning/overseeing organisation of events, e.g. auctions and golf days
3. Coordinating CTCAA’s media presence both nationally and locally.
4. Facilitating and chairing meetings for the Executive Committee
5. Planning visits to our adopted charities and community outreach initiatives.
6. Arranging the CTCAA's Charity Golf Days.
7. Securing corporate sponsorship for various fundraising events.
community
Various Community Outreach Activities
Many roles, 2005 - present
Projects that I have either headed, or been involved with in a supporting capacity include: CANSA, Abundant Life Feeding Scheme, Equal Education, Winter Warming Project, Sunflower Fund, Adopt-a-kid, Isithembiso Orphanage Painting Project, Cheshire Home Project, Race-for-Change, Bulelani Crèche, Bandana Day etc.
Certifiied Street Law Trainer, 2007 - 2007
Street Law provides an opportunity to willing students to interact with, and educate previously disadvantaged high school pupils about their constitutional rights, specifically rights pertaining to crimes against women and children.
Other Activities
Golf Team, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Captain, 2006 - 2009
Responsibilities included leading the NMMU golf team to numerous tri-varsity golf tournaments, arranging practice sessions, trips, team attire etc.
Committee Member, 2011 - present
Key responsibilities include co-heading 2011 Rugby World Cup Drive, jointly coordinating the firm's annual Cricket Day and arranging football matches against other law firms and businesses.
Testimonials
""He has demonstrated excellent achievements, skills and service in leadership positions, and genuine involvement in service projects with a positive impact on various communities."" - 2011
""He is an upstanding young gentleman with the right values and principles to be successful in the legal profession. In my view, he is a driven young attorney with a bright legal career beckoning."" - 2011
""I had a close working relationship with Hein when he was chairperson of the NMMU Law Students' Society, where he displayed exceptional leadership qualities."" - 2011
