In 1952, Mandela and Tambo opened the first black law firm in South Africa. It was located in Chancellor House, a small building just across the street from the Magistrate's Court in central Johannesburg. The building was owned by Indians and one of the few places where Africans could rent offices.
At that time, Black South Africans would routinely end up in court due to the draconian Apartheid laws. Furthermore, white lawyers were too expensive and even charged Africans higher fees for criminal and civil cases than they did their white clients.
Mandela and Tambo provided legal aid to those Africans who would otherwise not be properly represented. Their legal services were similar to those of a public defender.
This makes Mandela and Tambo exceptional lawyers who stayed true to the core mission of the legal profession: providing access to justice for everyone regardless background.
Lawyers everywhere can learn from Mandela and Tambo. Dear fellow lawyers - let’s start by truly listening to our clients. Please remember -a law firm should be a place where no one will be turned away or cheated purely based on bias.
