Gerhard Lourens
Senior Associate (Conveyancing / Deceased Estates)
Phone: 021 918 9000
Email: gerhardl@mindes.co.za
Profile:
Gerhard is a senior associate at Minde Schapiro & Smith. He obtained BA and LLB degrees from the University of Stellenbosch in 1992 and was admitted as an attorney and conveyancer in 1994. He specialises in conveyancing, the drafting of wills, estate planning and deceased estate administration and has more than 20 years of experience in these areas of legal practice. He is a member of the Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa and obtained the designation of FPSA © in 2015. He was recognised as the top FPSA © candidate in South Africa at the 2016 conference of FISA.
He contributes to the community by doing pro bono work at the Master’s Office.
Principal Services:
Deceased estates
Estate planning
Property transfers
Qualifications:
BA LLB
Admission:
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa
Membership:
FISA
Community involvement:
Master’s Office Help Desk pro bono work
Honours & awards:
Top FPSA ® candidate in South Africa in 2015
Marlon Koen
Associate (Litigation)
Phone: 041 373 0664
Email: marlon@mindes.co.za
Profile:
Marlon Koen is an Associate at the Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) branch of Minde Schapiro & Smith, working within the Litigation Department. After overcoming the many obstacles life threw at him, Marlon decided to better his life and went on to complete his Matric in 2013 at the ripe old age of 26. Marlon realised his passion for the law and went on to pursue a law degree. Marlon obtained his LLB from the Nelson Mandela University in 2019. Marlon completed his articles at a prominent law firm in Gqeberha where he obtained a wealth of litigation experience. Marlon was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court in October 2021 and joined Minde Schapiro & Smith. Alongside Director, Jonathan Rubin, he co-heads the Foreclosure Department for a major bank.
After hours, Marlon enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, and when permitted, he enjoys reading and watching sport.
Principal Services:
Banking and finance
Debt recovery
General litigation
Qualifications:
LLB
Admission:
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Lauren Eve Hermanus
Associate (Conveyancing )
Phone: 021 918 9000
Email: laurenh@mindes.co.za
Profile:
Lauren Eve Hermanus joined Minde Schapiro and Smith on 12 December 2022. She completed LLB degree at the University of the Western Cape in 2013 and was subsequently admitted as an Attorney on 4 December 2015.Lauren went on to be admitted as a Conveyancer on 14 October 2016.
She specialises in Bond registrations and all conveyancing related matters. Whatever your mind can conceive, you can achieve. Her favourite quote is “Who are you? Not to be a Hero Today!
Principal Services:
Bond Registrations
Bond Cancellations
General Conveyancing
Qualifications:
LLB
Admission:
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa
Kyle Richard Pienaar
Associate (Conveyancing)
Phone: 021 918 9000
Email: kyle@mindes.co.za
Profile:
Kyle is an Associate in the Conveyancing and Commercial departments at Minde Schapiro & Smith. Kyle has experience in conveyancing, commercial drafting as well as Magistrate and High Court litigation. He continues to broaden his expertise and skill in both his Conveyancing and Commercial practice, specialising in transfers, with the goal of becoming the expert in all things Conveyancing and Commercial.
Kyle joined the firm in 2021 as a candidate attorney and was admitted as an Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa in 2023.
Principal Services:
Commercial drafting and litigation
Property Transfers
General litigation
Qualifications:
BCom LLB
Admission:
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa
Notary of the High Court of Sout Africa
Shannon Solomon
Associate (Litigation)
Phone: 021 918 9000
Email: shannon@mindes.co.za
Profile:
Shannon is an Associate in the Litigation Department of Minde Schapiro & Smith and has experience in administrative and constitutional law, appeals and general litigation.
She joined the firm in 2021 as a Candidate Legal Practitioner and was admitted as an Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa in 2023.
She continues to broaden her legal acumen and explore her passion for litigation in order to become a competitive member in the legal field
Principal Services:
Administrative Law
Constitutional Law
Appeals
General Litigation
Qualifications:
LLB
Admission:
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa
Notary of the High Court of Sout Africa
Thristan Valentyn
Associate (Litigation)
Phone: 021 918 9000
Email: thristan@mindes.co.za
Profile:
Thristan joined Minde Schapiro & Smith in 2022 as a Candidate Legal Practitioner and was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2024.
He is currently practicing in the Litigation department with experience in Labour Law, General Litigation and Family Law.
Having completed his LLB in 2019, Thristan is enrolled as a part-time Master’s student at the University of the Western Cape. At university, he worked in the legal-aid clinic and has been exposed to various facets of the law during this time which have moulded his desire for litigation.
His involvement in community-based projects is dear to his heart and he wishes to utilise the skills acquired throughout by applying them within the legal fraternity.
Thristan is an athlete by nature and enjoys playing and watching rugby during his free time. He is also no stranger to working out at the gym.
Principal Services:
General Litigation
Qualifications:
LLB
Admission:
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
