Our Team


Our Directors

Daantjie Malan
Daantjie, who was admitted as attorney on 4 October 1989, is the founder of Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc. He heads the estates and wills divisions and also specializes as a conveyancer in both residential and commercial properties. He is also a qualified Notary and Valuator.

Daantjie is very involved in the local community. He served his term as President of the Gordon’s Bay Rotary, Chairman of Hendrik Louw Governing Body and Vice-Chairman of the Governing Body of Strand High School. He was previously the Chairman of Strand Ratepayers Association and Helderberg Chamber of Commerce and serves on various trusts, as well as the Board of Directors of Strand Naastediens.

The paddling bug bit him about 20 years ago. He achieved Provincial and National colours for paddling and he holds various SA titles in paddling and lifesaving in the Masters category. He finished fourth in the surfski world championships in Portugal in 2022 in his age category. He is also a qualified motorboat and yacht skipper, scuba diver and lifesaver.

His claim to fame is that he surfed the Big Wave in Hawaii.
CONSULTANT - Thys Lourens

Thys was a director at Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc for many years.  He retired in June 2023 to spend more time with his family.

Thys started his career as a prosecutor in 1983 and was admitted as an attorney on 15 January 1986. Thys is a qualified conveyancer and heads the bonds and commercial divisions.
He also has experience as a properly qualified arbitrator.

He is currently offering his expertise as a consultant for Malan Lourens Viljoen on a ad-hoc basis.

Leon Viljoen
Leon was born in Upington and matriculated at Upington High School. He studied with a Department of Justice bursary and completed his Dip. Juris in 1989, whereafter he was appointed as a Public Prosecutor and later Magistrate.

Leon completed his B. Proc Degree in 1997 and joined Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc. in 1999. He became a director of the firm in 2001 and has headed the Family Law Department since 2003.

Leon has a passion for extreme sports, is a qualified scuba diver and has competed in various Trans Agulhas and Trans Atlantic Rubber Duck races.

Leon has vast experience in divorce cases, Ante-nuptial contracts and cohabitation agreements, Family law related interdicts and applications. He has the right to appear in both the High and Magistrates Courts and serve as a Commissioner at the Small Claims Court.
Ruan Herbert
Ruan enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch in 2005 after matriculating. He studied BCom LLB and joined Malan Lourens Viljoen in 2011 as a candidate attorney. After his two years as a candidate attorney Ruan was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court in 2013 and his appointment at Malan Lourens Viljoen was made permanent.

Ruan is extremely passionate about labour law, commercial law, tax law and finance, with experience in appearing in the CCMA, Criminal and Commercial Crimes Court. Ruan extended his passion for finance and tax by completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning at the University of Stellenbosch Business School in 2014. Ruan continued to pursue his academic interests and enrolled as a Part-time MBA student at the University of Stellenbosch Business School in 2016 where he proceeded to complete his thesis on the topic of “The development of data protection and the business impact of the Protection of Personal Information Act on South African companies” and obtained his MBA degree in 2018.

Ruan has experience in Magistrate’s Court litigation and matters relating to defamation and harassment. He currently heads up the employment law department at Malan Lourens Viljoen, where he conducts CCMA appearances, chairs internal disciplinary hearings, grievance procedures and retrenchment consultations. Ruan also has vast knowledge of the Consumer Protection Act, the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act, the National Credit Act, the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Ruan is a sports fanatic and big supporter of the Proteas, Liverpool and the Stormers. You will always find him at Newlands Cricket Stadium during the summer months and he continues to follow his favourite sports teams around the globe. Ruan also enjoys hobbies such as playing golf, hiking and reading sports autobiographies.
Jurgen Potgieter
Jurgen attended Stellenbosch University where he obtained degrees in both Accounting and LLB, while being awarded cum laude for the latter and serving as a member of the Golden Key Society of South Africa for academic excellence.

Jurgen joined Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc in 2017 and serves as a director of the litigation division. He specialises, amongst other, in residential, commercial and farmland evictions, harassment, defamation, and Magistrate Court and High Court litigation. He has completed several short course on the Consumer Protection Act, National Credit Act and the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, amongst other.

Jurgen is a former Springbok and national champion in Karate (JKS style) and is an avid sports fan. He enjoys attending Cape Town Stadium to watch the Stormers or Springboks play. His biggest dream is to go watch his football team, Manchester United, play at Old Trafford Stadium in England.

Our Candidate Attorneys

Clifton Smit
Clifton enrolled at the North West University in 2018. He completed his BCom in Law in 2020 and his LLB degree in 2023. Clifton also spent a semester abroad at the University of Amsterdam as an exchange student in 2022.

Clifton joined Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc. in 2023 as part of the litigation department. He has a great interest in general litigation, the law of estates and conveyancing.

On weekends you will find Clifton either on the nearest golf course or at the beach. He is a sports enthusiast and loves the outdoors.
Loreen Coetzee
Loreen pursued her Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Stellenbosch and subsequently earned her LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape in 2023.

In 2024, Loreen commenced her professional career at Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc., joining the firm as a candidate attorney in the litigation department. She is passionate about all aspects of law, with a particular focus on commercial law and tax law and maintains a keen interest in politics.

During weekends, Loreen engages in outdoor activities such as hiking and running and enjoys attending music concerts. She also values spending quality time with her family and friends.
Elize-Mari Gerber
Elize-Mari pursued her studies at the North West University, Potchefstroom Campus where she obtained her LLB degree, while serving on various student leadership bodies and receiving the Golden Key award for academic excellence.

She joined Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc. in 2024 as a candidate attorney for the litigation department, following the completion of her studies in 2023. She is passionate about all aspects of the law and specifically interested in commercial law, tax law and administration of estates.

Outside of her professional endeavours, Elize-Mari enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors. She also has a great appreciation for the arts and is an avid writer, with various of her short stories and poems being published.
Erin O'Neale
Erin obtained her LLB degree from Stellenbosch University in 2022. She joined Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc. as a candidate attorney during January 2024 to complete her articles.

She is passionate about Family Law and has joined the Family Law department in the firm. During 2023 she obtained her mediation qualification and is therefore also a qualified Family Law and Divorce Mediator. She is passionate about children’s rights and advocating for the voice of the child, hence why she decided to pursue a mediation qualification.

During her free time Erin enjoys being outdoors doing something active such as hiking, and she is particularly fond of the ocean. She hopes to someday become an accredited free diver and scuba diver to divulge into her love for the ocean and all the wonders that it has to offer.

Our Support Staff

ELIZE OLIVIER
Secretary to Daantjie Malan

LARA VAN NIEUWENHUIZEN
Secretary to Leon Viljoen

CLAUDINE MERCUUR
Reception / Office Administrator

RUTH VILJOEN
Professional Assistant: Conveyance and Bonds

MARIANA MCINTOSH
Deeds Secretary: Conveyance

MONIQUE LOUW
Conveyancer

ANGELA LEONARD
Estates

CASEY JACOBS
Estates

LELANI FERNANDEZ
Financial Manager

SYLVIA NTAMPU
Clerk

LEAH JULIUS
Clerk
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