Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

CDH acknowledges that South Africa's apartheid and gender discrimination legacy has adversely impacted on the legal profession and has inhibited access to both the profession and legal services.

We face the challenge of transformation and empowerment head on. We are a truly South African law firm where transformation is about living our values and principles.

We aspire to be a firm:

• whose partners and professional and support employees are representative of the racial, gender, cultural and religious diversity of the people of South Africa;
• where men and women at all levels within the firm enjoy equal opportunities and treatment in relation to access to work, recruitment, promotion and remuneration; and
• that creates a working environment that is sensitive to the particular challenges faced by previously marginalised groups such as women and black people.

Our values
We connect our people, our clients and our communities through our values and are committed to responsible stewardship. We value diversity and respect for the individual. We believe in teamwork for the good of the firm and our clients.

We are an employer of choice who believes in the development of our people that helps them achieve professional and personal fulfilment. We believe client satisfaction is at the heart of our business and we strive to achieve excellence in everything we do for them.

We are committed to long-term relationships with our clients that are based on openness, honesty and integrity. We believe in living our core values and investing in our communities. 

Pro Bono and Human Rights practice 
Our dedicated Pro Bono and Human Rights practice was launched as a commitment to strengthening the firm's pro bono services.  The practice assists indigent and disadvantaged people to access justice and forwards human rights and constitutionalism through public interest work.  It also focuses on creating partnerships and nurturing relationships with NGO's, non-profit organisations, and other appropriate institutions on a pro bono basis, as well as undertaking substantive project work.

Every lawyer in the firm is called on to make a contribution, which offers them the opportunity individually to fulfil their social responsibility commitments. Our young lawyers and candidate attorneys gain invaluable experience and perspective through exposure to a wide range of pro bono and human rights matters.

During the 2017 year the Pro Bono Practice assisted many of its clients resolve long arduous legal battles, with great positive impact, made significant progress in furthering the cause of others, partnered in exciting and innovative human rights initiatives, hosted high profile guests, and assisted other Practice areas in carrying out important and meaningful pro bono work. Our firm donated in excess of 6,500 hours and R16 million to deserving individuals and organisations.  In recognition of our contribution and those of others in the firm who have given generously of their time and expertise, we are proud to report that the firm won three awards during the 2017 year for its pro bono contributions and in so doing has cemented its reputation as one of the leading contributors to pro bono amongst law firms across the country.