Trusted by South Africa's leading businesses across 10 specialist practice areas. Personal access to senior counsel. Cost-effective. Results-driven. Since 1996.
Trusted Since 1996
Sandton's trusted corporate legal counsel — personal service, exceptional outcomes.
From everyday commercial matters to highly specialised international and regulatory work — we deliver focused, partner-led legal counsel across every practice area.
Public and private air law as well as space law from national and international perspectives — a rare and sought-after specialisation.
Learn MoreActive in the Corporate Black Economic Empowerment space since the inception of BEE legislation — structuring compliant and strategic transactions.
Learn MoreSpecialist legal advice for media companies covering intellectual property, publishing, broadcast, digital content rights, and related litigation.
Learn MoreLegal services for corporate entities including mergers, acquisitions, and general corporate governance tailored to your business structure.
Learn MoreRepresentation and dispute resolution for commercial and general civil litigation — from pre-litigation advisory through to High Court proceedings.
Learn MoreEmployment and labour relations legal services including unfair dismissal, CCMA representation, employment contracts, and HR compliance.
Learn MoreLegal services relating to residential and commercial rental property — including lease agreements, evictions, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Learn MoreSensitive, professional legal assistance for divorce, maintenance, custody, and related family law proceedings handled with discretion.
Learn MoreProtection and enforcement of intellectual property rights including trademark registration, copyright, and infringement proceedings.
Learn MoreProfessional mediation and alternative dispute resolution — cost-effective, confidential, and structured to reach durable commercial agreements.
Learn MoreNot sure where to start?
Established
1996
"We make a point of meeting each of our clients personally, regardless of their location — at no additional cost to them."
Dr. Nicolaas Marais
Founder & Director
MA
Founded by Dr. Nicolaas Marais in Sandton, South Africa, Marais Attorneys has spent nearly three decades building a reputation for quality legal work delivered with the care and attention of a boutique practice — backed by the capability of a full-service corporate firm.
Deeply committed to long-term client relationships, the firm serves both local and international clients across a broad range of practice areas. Whether the matter is domestic or requires cross-border coordination, every client receives direct partner access and personal engagement — a standard rarely found at larger firms.
Personal Client Meetings
We meet every client in person — regardless of location — at no additional cost.
International Reach
Seamless legal services for local and international clients across jurisdictions.
Direct Partner Access
Work directly with experienced partners — not delegated to junior associates.
Cost-Effective Delivery
Excellent results delivered cost-effectively — without compromising on quality.
1996
Year Founded
Sandton
South Africa
12+
Practice Areas
Global
Client Reach
Why Choose Us
Established in 1996, Marais Attorneys has built its reputation on the principles that matter most to corporate clients — access, expertise, value, and results.
Your matters are handled by senior attorneys — not delegated down. Personal client meetings, globally, at no additional cost.
We advise both local and international clients on complex cross-border transactions, from BEE structuring to Aviation & Space Law.
Quality legal services at a fair cost. We deliver the same calibre of advice as large commercial firms — without the inflated fee structures.
Since 1996, we have built lasting partnerships with clients who return — because we deliver tailored, personal solutions that work.
Established in Sandton since 1996
Founded by Dr. Nicolaas Marais — nearly three decades of corporate legal excellence.
High-Value Specialist Practice Areas
Aviation & Space Law, BEE Transactions, Media Law, and International Offerings — handled with specialist depth.
Three decades of building enduring relationships with South Africa's most respected companies — from acquisition to advocacy.
"Eight years of service across acquisitions, HR, media, and transactions — they are truly an extension of our management team."
Neil Van Der Weele
Group CEO — Draftfcb
8+
Years of continuous engagement
5 / 5
Client satisfaction rating
"Their timely, comprehensive legal advice and coordination of specialist support has been invaluable to our business."
John Dixon
CEO — Publicis South Africa
"They resolved our BEE-related disputes and structured compliant frameworks that protected the business."
Graham Hopkins
Financial Director — 360 Degrees
"15+ years of trusted counsel across multiple agencies. Consistently reliable and thorough."
Shane Fentum
CCO — DDB
"They guided us through the sale of our business and continue to provide ongoing advisory services."
Neil Timm
Group Operations Director — Bride & Co
A firm defined not by its name on the door, but by the calibre of the people who walk through it — and by the direct access every client receives to those people.
1996
B.Com · LLB · LLD | Sandton, South Africa
Dr. Marais founded Marais Attorneys in 1996 with a clear philosophy: that quality legal counsel should never come at the cost of accessibility. As principal, he ensures every client receives direct partner access — no delegation to junior associates, no lost context. His practice spans corporate and commercial law, media law, BEE transactions, and high-stakes litigation, serving both local South African and international clients across industries.
Behind every matter, Dr. Marais is supported by a network of specialist advocates with deep expertise across South African and international law. This structure ensures that whatever the complexity of your matter, the right expertise is always at the table — without inflating your costs.
Every matter receives personal attention. Reach out to discuss your legal needs with a specialist — we respond within one business day.
Protected by attorney-client confidentiality.
Office Address
1110 The Leonardo
75 Maude Street, Sandown
Sandton, 2146, Gauteng
South Africa
Telephone
[Phone Number]Business Hours
Marais Attorneys is based in the heart of Sandton's premier business district — accessible, established, and ready to assist.
Suite 1110, The Leonardo
75 Maude Street, Sandown
Sandton, 2146
Gauteng, South Africa
Established 1996 — Serving local and international clients from Sandton's premier commercial address.
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