DSCLAW - Key Persons
Barry holds a BA (Hons.) degree and a Higher Education Diploma (H.E.D.) from the University of Stellenbosch, and a B.Tech. (School Management) degree from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
After 22 years as an educator, he decided to make a career change. He embarked on an LL.B. degree through UNISA, studying part-time while continuing to work. He obtained his LL.B. degree in 2016 and secured articles at DSC Attorneys in 2017.
Barry gained experience in all fields of personal injury law, with a particular focus on High Court medical malpractice litigation, during the course of his articles. He was offered a position as a legal practitioner at DSC Attorneys upon his admission as an attorney in May 2019, and was promoted to associate in March 2023.
Carla completed her LL.B. studies at the University of South Africa in 2010 and the School for Legal Practice in 2012. She then secured articles at a prominent law firm specialising in the field of personal injury law litigation.
After gaining extensive experience in all fields of personal injury litigation, particularly in the High Court, Carla focused her attention on the complex field of medical malpractice litigation.
Carla has extensive experience in her chosen field and has successfully litigated and settled numerous medical malpractice claims, some of which are reported decisions.
Carla was appointed as a Senior Associate at DSC Attorneys in August 2020. She currently heads the firm's Medical Malpractice Department.
Chris joined DSC Attorneys in 2006 and shortly thereafter he was promoted to associate and was appointed as a senior associate in 2012. On March 1st 2020 Chris was appointed as a director of DSC Attorneys.
After graduating in 1994, Chris took up a position with the Department of Justice in Mpumalanga as a prosecutor…
Born and raised in Cape Town, Christi matriculated from DF Malan High School in 2017, whereafter he enrolled at North-West University in pursuit of an LL.B. degree. During his final year, Christi undertook vacation work at DSC Attorneys and discovered his keen interest in the field of personal injury law. Christi graduated from North-West University at the end of 2021 and subsequently secured a position as a Candidate Legal Practitioner with DSC Attorneys.
Christi enjoys problem solving and believes that the law is a toolkit that we can use to solve complex public problems in a systematic, logical and structured way. He was admitted as an attorney on 1 March 2024 and offered a position as a legal practitioner working with Sanél Botha, providing valuable support in her busy practice.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Managing Director
Cliff was appointed as managing director of DSC Attorneys after the merger on 1 May 2004 and subsequently as chairman on 1 December 2010.
Cliff Timms worked for the Road Accident Fund for a number of years, enabling him to provide an "inside" perspective of its workings. The firm's other director, Kirstie Haslam, has been heavily involved in the parliamentary process surrounding proposed amendments to the Road Accident Fund legislation.
Cliff was admitted as an attorney in 1999 and soon thereafter established the Cape Town office of De Vries Inc., where he built up…
Franco was born and bred in Malmesbury and matriculated from Swartland High School. He successfully completed his Bachelor of Laws degree at Stellenbosch University in 2022.
His interests in both people and litigation drew him to DSC Attorneys, where he secured a position as a candidate legal practitioner at the start of 2023.
He currently assists one of the firm's directors, Daneil Botha, in his demanding litigation practice.
After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, Daneil secured articles at DSC Attorneys. He soon gained experience in Road Accident Fund matters, "slip & trip " claims as well as all other areas of personal injury litigation.
Daneil was invited to stay on at DSC as a professional assistant after his admission as an attorney in December 2012 and was thereafter promoted to associate and senior associate in 2015 and 2018 respectively. With effect from 1 March 2021, Daneil was appointed as a Director of DSC Attorneys.
After completing his studies in 2010, Daneil secured articles at DSC Attorneys. He gained experience in Road Accident…
Job Titles:
- Candidate Legal Practitioner
Franco was born and bred in Malmesbury and matriculated from Swartland High School. He successfully completed his…
Holly completed her LL.B. studies at the University of the Free State and, in 2018, secured a position as a candidate legal practitioner at DSC Attorneys to complete her practical vocational training. She gained experience in various fields of personal injury litigation, principally in the High Court. Holly was admitted as an attorney in June 2020 and was then offered a position as a legal practitioner assisting Kirstie Haslam in her practice, where she was exposed to complex high value cases. With effect from 1 March 2024, Holly is currently working with Daneil Botha, providing valuable support in his busy practice.
After completing her studies in 2012 at the University of Stellenbosch, Jacqueline secured articles at DSC Attorneys. After gaining experience in all fields of personal injury litigation, particularly in the High Court, Jacqueline was offered a position as a professional assistant upon her admission as an attorney in May 2015. Jacqueline was promoted to associate in 2018, and subsequently to senior associate in March 2023, and in addition is actively involved in DSC's various social responsibility campaigns.
After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, Jan secured articles at DSC Attorneys where he rapidly gained extensive experience in all areas of personal injury litigation.
Jan was invited to stay on at DSC as a professional assistant in 2013 after his admission as an attorney. He was promoted to associate in 2015 and later that year obtained a Higher Diploma in Tax from the University of Stellenbosch.
In 2018, Jan was promoted to senior associate and, with effect from 1 March 2021, he was appointed as a Director of DSC Attorneys.
Kirstie completed her articles with Mostert and Bosman (Cape Town Partnership) and was admitted as an attorney in 1999 whereafter she was invited to stay on as a professional assistant in the general litigation department. She joined Henry Shields Chiat, a specialist personal injury law firm, in 2000 and was promoted to associate in 2002. Kirstie became a director of DSC Attorneys after the merger on 1 May 2004, in which capacity she was inter alia responsible for the oversight of all litigation within the firm. Kirstie was appointed as managing director of DSC Attorneys on 1 December 2010.
Kirstie specializes in insurance and personal injury law, where she has had extensive experience conducting both High Court litigation and arbitrations in various jurisdictions, relating to actions against the Road Accident Fund as well as other common law personal injury claims, including medical malpractice litigation. Kirstie frequently receives international referrals and has represented a number of clients from the United Kingdom as well as clients from Germany, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Kirstie has been heavily engaged for a number of years with the ongoing parliamentary process surrounding proposed amendments to the Road Accident Fund legislation. A copy of her submission to parliament in 2017 with regards to the Road Accident Benefit Scheme can be found here.
In September of 2023, the Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill was published for comment, and Kirstie once again contributed to submissions to parliament, a copy of which can be found here.
Kirstie also serves on the Executive of the South African Medical Malpractice Lawyers Association. In 2018 she was invited to address the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Development, following a written submission regarding the proposed State Liability Amendment Bill. A copy of this submission can be found here.
Job Titles:
- Candidate Legal Practitioner
A born and bred Capetonian, Lauren initially decided to pursue a career in media. Following her successful completion of a B.A., Honours in Media Studies, she secured a position with a prominent media company. She continued in this position for eight years. During this time, however, she chose to enrol in a Bachelor of Laws degree with the University of South Africa. She successfully completed her LL.B. degree in 2022. Lauren then left the media environment to pursue her practical vocational training. She secured a position as a candidate legal practitioner at DSC Attorneys in 2023, where she currently assists Sanél Botha in her busy litigation practice.
Layla Majiet matriculated from the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology in 2015, whereafter she gained acceptance to the University of the Western Cape to study towards her LL.B.. During her studies she was a part of the SAC- IWAJ Mentorship Program for women. Layla commenced an internship at the Road Accident Fund in 2022, before joining DSC in August of 2023 in order to complete her practical vocational training. She currently assists Chris Smit in his busy litigation practice.
Michéle initially started her career in the South African Police Services, where she served in both the uniform and detective branches over the…
Job Titles:
- Candidate Legal Practitioner
After matriculating from Point High School in Mossel Bay in 2016, Minli started her academic journey at Stellenbosch University, initially in…
Sherilee graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2019 with an LL.B. degree, whereafter she enrolled in the School for…
After matriculating in 1976 Sorina immediately took up employment with a firm of auditors as an administrative clerk. After approximately 4 years…