DML is a mid-sized law firm focused on Litigation, Technology, Corporate and Commercial, Property Law and Forensics. Our directors provide big firm experience and expertise, at effective rates, to South African and international clients across a broad range of industries. Our focus is on our clients, and we take pride in our quick action, the high quality of our work, and the results we achieve.
Founded in 2008
15 people in their team
DML’s litigation team has considerable experience in advising companies and individuals in respect of a wide range of disputes. We represent clients in disputes in a variety of commercial, regulatory and governmental disputes. These include: contracts, intellectual property, shareholder disputes, delinquent directors, the challenging of decisions by administrative bodies (including the B-BBEE Commissioner), the South African Revenues Services and the gaming and gambling industry.
Our experience extends to all facets of dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration and high court and appellate litigation. We have a unique offering as a medium tier firm, with “big law firm” experience at a fraction of the cost , and consistently engaging opposing teams from big firms.
Although focus is always on managing risks and, where possible, avoiding lengthy litigation, where litigation is unavoidable, we have the expertise and experience to support our clients and achieve favourable outcomes.
We have also been trusted by our clients with matters of high public interest, with a number of our attorneys having to engage with the media. Our litigators are calm and deliberate in their management of these kinds of matters, ensuring that our clients are well represented and that their legal rights are protected throughout.
In the rapidly developing and expanding fields of technology, media and telecommunications, it is essential for businesses to find legal practitioners who understand technology and can deal with the increasingly regulated legal environment.
Our team, with its strong expertise and experience in technology (ICT) law, will guide you through an often confusing and complicated landscape. They can advise you on the legal issues associated with new applications of existing technologies and the introduction of new technologies as the law around them continues to evolve.
The team is led by an attorney who is also a former software developer who has the technical experience to give practical advice on technology matters. Where required, our technology team works in collaboration with our litigation and corporate & commercial department.
Our Property department offers all legal services relating to conveyancing, notarial practice and commercial property law. We assist clients in the drafting and vetting and implementation of sale agreements, the drafting and registration of residential and commercial transfers, as well as the preparation, drafting and registration of bonds and notarial bonds.
We also have extensive experience in assisting our developer clients with all aspects of sectional title developments which include: the opening of sectional title registers and their extensions (Phase developments), the preparation, drafting and registration of technical conveyancing documents and servitudes, certificates of registered title, certificates of consolidated titles, the establishment of townships and registration of general plans.
We represent and support clients through all the phases of their proposed developments including negotiations, the conducting and preparing of due diligence reports and interacting with the various members of the development professional team such as architects, town planners, quantity surveyors and engineers.
If required, we advise on contested issues involving local authorities and identify potential objections to developments. We will assist you in drafting agreements of sale, rental enterprise agreements, development agreements, share block sale agreements, homeowner’s association constitutions and bodies’ corporate management and conduct rules particularly for hybrid commercial/residential developments.
Our Corpcom Department provides a full range of corporate and commercial legal services including mergers and acquisitions, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions, African investments, corporate finance and restructurings, private equity transactions, B-BBEE funding and ownership transactions and general corporate and compliance.
We work across a broad range of sectors, including FMCG, construction and logistics, e-commence, communications, Tech, financial services, retail and manufacturing and gambling and gaming.
Our team has big law firm and private equity experience, enabling us to offer big firm expertise, at effective rates, to our clients, whether they are entrepreneurs, or small, medium and large corporates. We work with clients both nationally and internationally.
We can advise clients over the entire life-cycles of their businesses from start-up, providing scale -up services, corporate and business structuring, equity and funding advisory across various stages of local and foreign investment and funding, to establishing off-shore presences and investor exits.
We also do operational contracts such as executive and employment contracts and logistics, distribution and licensing contracts. Working with our Technology team, we offer an extensive range of e-commence and online platform services, including Tech investment and funding, the creation and protection of intellectual property and the vetting of social media and marketing campaigns.
As our clients’ trusted advisors, we ensure that we develop an in-depth knowledge of their businesses, allowing us to provide tailored, sound, and effective solutions.
Matthew is an accomplished litigator at DML with a talent for engaging in and resolving disputes.
He has a wealth of experience in a broad range of legal areas, including contract, company, construction, administrative, property, B-BBEE, insolvency, technology, intellectual property, competition, entertainment and tax law.
Matthew’s career began at DML in 2014 as a Candidate Attorney. He has been an integral part of the firm’s rapid growth, and in March 2023, Matthew was appointed as a Director of Litigation.
He believes that all litigation should be aimed at resolving disputes in the most efficient manner possible, whether through settlement negotiations or formal action, Matthew’s enjoys challenge and is committed to providing the best possible outcome for his clients.
Outside of work, Matthew is an adventurous and active individual. He has climbed Kilimanjaro twice, walked the Fish River Canyon and the Amathole and Otter trails, and completed the Three Peak Challenge in Scotland, England, and Wales. He also races in various endurance trail running and cycling events.
