History

PH Attorneys was established in 2002 by founding partners, Violet Phatshoane (an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal) and Douglas Henney (current Chair of the PH Group), with the vision of establishing a transformed law firm capable of providing legal services at the highest levels.

From this definitive moment, the firm grew exponentially, developing a strong commercial, labour, property and litigation practice. Underpinned by a commitment to excellence, innovation and diversity the firm soon became the pre-eminent law firm in the Free State receiving the PMR Diamond Arrow Award in 2012 and 2013 for the Best Free State Law Firm.

Along the way, and at the behest of other law firms who required assistance to reposition their practices and harness the economies of scale that a large group could offer, the firm in 2006, made history when it founded the PH Group - today the largest legal network of its kind in South Africa.
In 2012, with a history of close association with Naudes inc., the directors of Phatshoane Henney inc. (as it then was) and Naudes inc. took the strategic decision to merge these two leading firms with the merged law firm continuing to operate as PH Attorneys. With the finalisation of the merger in 2013, PH Attorneys was established as the largest law firm in central South Africa.

Naudes inc. was founded in 1902 by Charles Gustav Fichardt and Johan Christiaan Daniels, who initially opened the doors of the law firm Fichardt and Daniels in Bloemfontein on 13 October 1902. After several name changes since its inception the firm in 1977 became Naude & Naude Attorneys from whence the firm progressed to the name of Naudes inc. Naudes inc. as it was before the merger, was one of the oldest law firms in the central South African region and was recognised as leading firm in its region and worthy of the respect of its peers.

With the bringing together of these two firms in 2012, it can rightly be said that 110 years of experience was merged with the enthusiasm and innovation of youth and vision, to establish the leading and dynamic law firm, that is PH Attorneys today.

Our Executive Team

 

Stacey Bartlett

Head, Bonds

Stacey is the Head of the Bonds Centre in the Property Practice Group, where she leads with expertise, efficiency, and... a client-focused approach.
+27 51 400 4144
+27 51 400 4123
+27 82 811 8110
 

Jan Berry

Director

Jan is a Director and the Chair of the Board of Directors. As former Chief Executive Officer, he has more... than 30 years’ experience in the legal profession and has practised and specialised in all major areas of law, including property and conveyancing, litigation and dispute resolution and commercial and employment law. Jan is currently involved in the management of the firm and in new project development.
+27 51 400 4168
+27 51 400 4161
+27 82 444 4760
 

Lesley Mokgoro

CEO and National Head, Dispute Resolution Practice Group

Lesley is the Chief Executive Officer and National Head of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group, specialising in all aspects of... individual and collective employment law. He further built a niche practice of servicing various institutions of Higher Learning in the Higher Education Sector. 
+27 51 400 4179
+27 51 400 4120
+27 82 828 7347
 

Lucian Companie

Free State Head, Dispute Resolution Practice Group

Lucian is the Free State Head of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He specialises in commercial litigation, public law and... construction law where he represents clients from the public and private sector in various forums. He prides himself on client satisfaction, rendering excellent service to clients and always striving towards setting the standard.   
+27 51 400 4175
+27 51 400 4161
+27 72 113 7813
 

Philo Nel

Director

Philo is a Director in the Commercial Practice Group of the firm and has more than 20 years of commercial... and business experience. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of PH Attorneys and involved in the operation and management of the firm as well as new project developments.
+27 51 400 4170
+27 51 400 4199
+27 82 444 4360

Phatshoane Henney Group Transformation Report 2022/23

Leading transformation in the legal industry!
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Founding member of the Phatshoane Henney Group

SOUTH AFRICA'S LARGEST LEGAL NETWORK

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Our 2022 New Breed Art winners

Read more about our New Breed Art winners

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The 2022 competition judging

We are a proud Level 1 BEE Contributor

View our latest BEE Certificate

Phatshoane Henney Group Transformation Report 2022/23

Leading transformation in the legal industry!
VIEW

Best Free State Law Firm

Rated highest for a decade running

As awarded by PMR.Africa
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R2.3 MILLION

paid in bursaries to black candidate legal practitioners since 2014

How We Give Back

Meet our Legal Advice Officer

 

Nigel Masalla

Legal Advice Officer

Nigel is a Legal Advice Officer in our Access to Justice Unit providing legal advice and support to the community... of Kathu in collaboration with strategic partners of the firm. 
+27 51 400 4016
+27 76 015 9277

Introducing the Justice Centre

in partnership with Training Portal

We are proud to announce the opening of the first Justice Centre on 1 August 2025 in Kathu, where members of the local community will have access to free legal advice through our Access to Justice Unit.
VISIT TRAINING PORTAL