Established in 1920 by Raphael Asherson, Ashersons has become well known as a general practice offering its clients integrity and loyalty. We have a rich history going back nearly a century, and we invite you to explore some of our historical highlights below.
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2024
Sebastian Bowles joins the practice
Sebastian Bowles, a candidate attorney, joined Ashersons in April. Sebastian has a keen interest in Commercial Law, Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Law. You can read his professional profile here. -
2023
Kiera Maher joins the practice
Kiera Maher, a candidate attorney, joined Ashersons in January. Keira has a keen interest in Commercial Law, Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Law. You can read her professional profile here. -
2022
Kaylee Dry joins the practice
Kaylee Dry, a candidate attorney, joined Ashersons in April. Kaylee has a keen interest in Commercial Law, Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Law. You can read her professional profile here. -
2020
Daniel Horwitz joins the practice
Daniel Horwitz, an associate, joined Ashersons in January. Daniel has a keen interest in Commercial Law, Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Law. You can read his professional profile here. -
2020
Ashersons Attorneys celebrates 100 years of practice!
In 2020, Ashersons Attorneys turns 100 years old. Join us in celebrating this amazing milestone! -
2019
Derry-Ann Haldane joins the practice
Derry-Ann Haldane, an associate, joined Ashersons in January. Derry-Ann has a keen interest in Family Law, Labour Law as well as Trusts and Estates. You can read her professional profile here. -
2016
Jaryd Kay joins the practice
Jaryd Kay, an associate, joined Ashersons in January. Jaryd has experience in labour law, consumer protection and also has experience in drafting commercial and non-commercial contracts. You can read his professional profile here. -
2015
Online conveyancing calculator launched
As a value-added service, Ashersons launches an online conveyancing cost calculator which provides an estimate as to transfer costs, bond registration costs, and a bond repayment calculator. You can access the calculator here. -
2007
Andrew Goldschmidt joins the practice
Andrew Goldschmidt, a Partner, joined the firm. He has experience in contentious as well as non-contentious corporate and commercial matters ranging from the drafting of commercial contracts to commercial litigation, with particular regard to corporate and contractual disputes. You can read his professional profile here. -
1996
Ashersons assists Cash Crusaders in drafting its first franchise agreement
Ashersons Attorneys assisted Cash Crusaders, a respected national franchised brand, in drafting its first franchise agreement which contributed towards Cash Crusaders becoming part of the South African mainstream retail franchising landscape – currently boasting over 200 franchised stores. -
1988
The transfer of the smallest piece of land in Cape Town is registered
In order to rectify a previous mistake in a property diagram, Ashersons attended to the registration of transfer of the smallest piece of land in the history of the Cape Town Deed’s office – a piece of land of only 1m2. -
1985
Selwyn Zackon joins the practice
Selwyn Zackon, a Partner, joined the firm in 1985. Selwyn’s expertise lie in commercial law, franchising, property and litigation. His extensive understanding of company law and commerce has enabled Selwyn to become an astute commercial and property lawyer, and litigator. You can read his professional profile here. -
1985
One of the first firms to get a fax machine!
Ashersons Attorneys was one of the very first firms to acquire a fax machine after they were launched in South Africa. -
1985
The final re-branding of the firm to its current name, “Ashersons Attorneys”
“R Asherson and Asherson” went through a further re-branding, and became known simply as Ashersons Attorneys. -
1982
Ashersons adopts a state-of-the-art word processing application
Ashersons Attorneys was one of the very first firms in South Africa to move away from using electric typewriters and adopt a state-of-the-art word processing system, which was originally written by the late Jonathan Asherson based on the Lex Elite program. -
1981
Rafi Weiner joins the practice
Rafi Weiner, a Partner, joined Ashersons in 1981. His areas of expertise include Family, Aviation and Administrative Law where he is one of a few attorneys in Cape Town who represent outdoor advertising companies. You can read his professional profile here. -
1973
Ashersons Attorneys moves offices
Ashersons Attorneys moves offices from St. George’s Mall to its present offices situate at 34 Plein Street, officially known as Ashersons Chambers. -
1971
The first sectional title register was opened in Cape Town
In the same year as the enactment of the original Sectional Title Act 1971, Donald Asherson filed the very first application to open a sectional title register in Cape Town. Since then, sectional title developments have become quite common. -
1967
Ashersons assists in pioneering the first restaurant franchise agreements
Jonathan Asherson assisted in pioneering the very first restaurant/food franchise agreements in South Africa, assisting Spur in growing into one of the most recognised brands in the country! -
1962
Jonathan Dudley Asherson joins the practice
Jonathan Asherson joins his father (Donald) and uncles (Benny and Raphael) in the practice, completing his articles and then being admitted as an attorney in 1967. Jonathan remained with the firm for 51 years and was the last of the Ashersons in the firm. -
1956
Ashersons assists Golden Arrow in a hostile takeover of The Cape Electric Tramways (1949) Limited
Donald Asherson assisted Issy Pasvolsky in a hostile takeover of The Cape Electric Tramways (1949) Limited. The transaction was described as one of the biggest transactions in the history of South African transport business and was very unusual because Golden Arrow was a much smaller company (operating just 85 buses) while The Cape Electric Tramways (1949) Limited operated over 575 buses! -
1937
Benjamin “Benny” Asherson joins his brothers in the practice
Benjamin “Benny” Asherson joins his two brothers, Raphael and Donald, in the practice as a partner. The practice then consisted of three brothers working together. -
1931
Donald Asherson joins his brother in the practice
Donald Asherson joins his brother Raphael Asherson in the practice as partners, and the practice is re-branded as R Asherson and Asherson. -
1920
R Asherson Attorneys Founded
The law practice of R Asherson Attorneys was founded by Raphael Asherson in 1920, and the original Cape Town office was opened in the Netherlands Bank Building, 85 St. George’s Mall (the current Nedbank building).