
New Chairperson Appointed
Deirdré Olivier has been appointed Chairperson of Fairbridges Wertheim Becker. A BA LLB graduate of the University of Cape Town. She served her articles at Fairbridges, was admitted as an attorney in 1995, and later qualified as a notary public. She has been a director of the firm since 1997 and heads up litigation at the Cape Town office. She is a long-serving member of the firm’s management team. Her appointment as the 16th Chair of the firm has been widely acclaimed and welcomed. Her exceptional professional reputation and leadership credentials make this a well-deserved appointment.
Deidré is a member of the Institute of Forensic Practitioners and a qualified mediator with FAMSA. She specializes in commercial and civil litigation, corporate litigation, property, housing and planning law, constitutional law, forensic investigations, administrative law, contract and delict, dispute resolution, environmental law, immigration law and debt recoveries. She has extensive experience in drafting opinions, policies and legislation and advising on local authority law.
She represents various municipalities and other organs of state, universities, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, The Publishers Association of South Africa and other corporate and private clients. Deirdre has conducted a number of high profile cases over the years in the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, High Courts, Magistrates Courts and the Land Claims court. She has also represented clients in important mediation proceedings and public commissions of enquiry. Her experience includes successful litigation against illegal drug and liquor dealers in state housing, to demolish unsafe buildings, and the enforcement of property and planning legislation.
Fairbridges Wertheim Becker is privileged to again have at its head a leader of truly outstanding calibre.