It was on her second day as a candidate attorney for her previous firm that Ansie Menezes realised her passion for commercial litigation. “My principal at the time requested that I join a meeting which he described as ‘very important’. Let’s just say that since that day I have been quite occupied with one of the largest international mining groups as a client.”
Menezes emphasised that, as an attorney, it is key to cultivate specific characteristics if you’re going to forge a sustainable future in the legal field. “I refer to these as the three P’s,” she said.
“Passion – you have to be passionate about the law because the legal uncertainty of the outcome of a matter is one of the main drivers to staying passionate. It is also important to stay passionate about your argument and the industry in which your clients dominate.
“Patience – this is an important one considering that cases can sometimes last for years.
“Perseverance – you have to remain persistent and continue to move forward despite the many challenges you can face in the legal system, the court process and with the availability of witnesses,” Menezes said.
Now a senior associate at internationally acclaimed law firm Hogan Lovells, Menezes is currently working on a few projects related to land invasions and evictions which she finds “enjoyable and interesting”.
For Menezes, one of the highest honours you can have in commercial litigation is to be part of a legal team that works on law-changing or ground-breaking legal developments, and then have these matters reported on. “Sometimes you have to push the boundary of interpretation and collectively accept the risk of losing a matter in order to develop legal principles, but it's fulfilling when it’s all done. I have been fortunate to be involved in a number of such matters,” Menezes explained.
She says her legal journey has been interesting, meaningful and rewarding. “To distinguish only one highlight of my career is nearly impossible. Every time I am involved in a complicated matter or develop a winning legal strategy is a highlight to me,” Menezes shared.
When asked what advice she would give to up and coming attorneys, Menezes said that staying curious is a good trait to possess. “Know the rules of Court and always query arguments and outcomes related to your case,” she added.
Being an attorney can at times be demanding, and Menezes emphasised the importance of maintaining a good work–life balance. “It is not always easy to maintain a work–life balance because some clients always need you on standby, but it is vital to establish your boundaries and ensure that they are always in place,” she said.
To read more from the Hogan Lovells Senior Associate Series please hear from Simone Izzard here
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