Elizabeth Anne (Anne-Lize) Lourens

• Main focus of practice: International Air and Aviation Law; Constitutional Law, Administrative Law (Public Law), Law of Contract and Consumer Law.
• Testing, challenging and changing legislative, regulatory and statutory provisions both on provincial and national level in High Court, Supreme Court and Constitutional Court of South Africa in 5 public law cases.
• Enhanced case preparation efficiency through effective use of technology tools for case management, legal research, and document drafting through skills acquired on post-graduate level at University of Cape Town and having access to all international libraries using platforms such as Lexis Nexis, Jutatstats, ICAO library to name few.
• Collaborated with other advocates, paralegals and candidate attorneys for maximizing efficiency in case management and preparation extending over 18 years.
• Conducted pre-screening activities to determine eligibility for supportive services rendered by attorneys in more than 2000 cases.
• Participated in community outreach programs, increasing public awareness about important legal topics affecting disadvantaged children, deprivation and dissipation of state funding causing stunting and underdevelopment (supported by Prof Eric Atmore from Centre for Early Childhood Development) in public domain and through factual instituting of Constitutional challenges to unlawful legislative practices.
• Managed complex caseloads with diligence, prioritizing tasks to ensure timely preparation, delivery and resolution of cases, in Civil Aviation disputes for and against National Airports and Approved Maintenance Organizations such as Lanseria Jet Centre (Pty) Ltd and Mistral (Pty) Ltd. Also in respect of large Organs of State such as South African Post Office SOC, Independent Development Corporation SOC, National Empowerment Fund SOC, Land Bank of South Africa, South African Special Investigating Unit, Transnet SOC, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Municipality, TVET Colleges and City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality as well as in respect of private companies.
• Assisted individual practitioners in attorneys' law firms navigating processes and procedures in resolving legal disputes, comprehending statutes, rights imposed in terms thereof and to express views on viability of execution and implementation thereof.
• Strengthened cases by identifying key witnesses and procuring essential evidence through thorough investigation techniques and assisting with preparation of witness statements.
• Participated in continued educational opportunities to stay current on industry trends and emerging legal issues through attending certificate and short diploma courses at University of Cape Town presented by Dr William Kiel from Kenya and participating in Masters of Law in International Aviation Degree as one of only 3 admitted candidates (to be converted to Phd during October 2024) under supervision of Dist. Professor Philipe - Joseph Salazar .
• Worked closely with litigation attorneys to research, complete trial preparations, and create document drafts for Court, Tribunal and/or Advisory use for Organs of State presented above as well as international Aviation client base.
• Assisted litigation attorneys with research, depositions, trial preparation, discovery and document drafts for court submittal in respect of pre than 50 trial handled in last 5 years.
• Prepared interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production of documents and requests for examination or inspection in respect of trails handled.
• Negotiated favorable settlements on behalf of clients through effective mediation and negotiation tactics.
• Built strong professional network through active participation in local bar associations and industry and social events.
• Developed innovative litigation strategies based on extensive knowledge of t law, statutes and legal principles and precedents.
• Kept up-to-date on case progress by frequently reviewing records and reporting findings to instructing attorneys.
• Created interrogatory documents and requests for admissions, document productions, examinations and inspections.
• Established trusting relationships with attorneys and clients by maintaining open lines of communication throughout entire representation process.
• Participated in extensive research processes for civil litigation cases and opinions on interpretation and implementation of statutes and regulations on specialized fields of law listed.
• Investigated facts and law of cases, using pertinent sources to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
• Mentored junior advocates within Pretoria and Johannesburg Society of Advocates, sharing knowledge and experiences to foster career growth among colleagues.
• Provided pro bono services for underprivileged individuals, ensuring equal access to quality legal representation up to Constitutional Level.
• Delivered high-quality representation to clients in court, resulting in favorable judgments and settlements.
• Drafted clear and concise legal documents, such as motions, briefs, and pleadings for successful presentation in court proceedings as well as opinion on interpretation and validity of statutes and regulations.
• Demonstrated strong ethical standards in all aspects of practice, upholding integrity of legal profession.
• Worked effectively in fast-paced environments and under pressure.
• Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others through participated in team projects, demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively.
• Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Applied effective time management techniques to meet time constraints and deadlines.
• Gained and illustrated strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish as junior-senior advocate.

Performed the following legal services:

• Drafting legal documents, court notices, memorandums and opinions for Johannesburg Water, City Power and City of Johannesburg in 32 cases.
• Attending 13 Magistrate's Court appearances.
• Consulting with junior and senior Advocates at Maisels Advocates Chambers in Commercial Law (Adv Andy Bester), Corporate Law (Adv Ian Zidel SC), Companies Law (Adv Johnathan Kaplan SC), Law of Contract (Adv Louis Hollander SC), Property Law (Adv Andy Bester SC), Family Law (Adv Lisa Segal) and other general litigation in up to 27 cases.

Assisted Honourable Justice Van Oosten in all High Court related Civil and Criminal litigation cases in the South Gauteng High Court for a period of 3 years and performed the following duties:

• Perusal of content of all court files in cases that served before Judge;
• Preparing detailed notes of proceedings in court room and evidence adduced by witnesses or on affidavit;
• Researching legal principles and applicable laws relating to cases that served before Judge;
• Assisting with, and typing final judgments handed down;
• Preparing court room though ensuing court transcriptions are facilitated, court orderly was present, witnesses were ready to proceed and accused persons were delivered by South Africa Police Service to court holding cells, with relevant Police Officers attending and remaining present;
• Preparing court rolls for unopposed motions, opposed motions, urgent applications, civil and criminal trial proceedings;
• Interacting with advocates of respective opposing parties to ensure that practice notes and heads of arguments are delivered to Judge in motion proceedings and cases are ready to proceed;
• Preparing and compiling exhibit files in criminal trials;
• Attending urgent application at all hours during week(s) that Judge presided over urgent Court;
• Operating Judge's tea room, facilitating specific eating preferences of variety of Judges, including seeing to preparation and purchases of kosher, halal, gluten intolerance and vegetarian refreshments every Friday.
• Managed diverse team of professionals within registrar''s office, promoting collaboration and optimal performance toward finalization of cases and delivery of judgments.