While its history has been etched in Dundee’s rich tapestry for over 100 years, Acutt & Worthington have unveiled a modern new logo signalling their intention to be part of a dynamic new culture boasting a proudly all-female power team.
The directors of this well-established legal firm are Dundee’s Alexandra (Alex) Dannhauser and Sharlene Bierma of Newcastle, with offices both here (in Wilson Street) and in Newcastle.
It was in the early 1900s when Tom Worthington Snr joined Benjamin Acutt, a registered notary, and the firm Acutt & Worthington was born.
Since then, Acutt & Worthington has been a well-known name in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal legal fraternity, being a stepping stone for numerous attorneys over the years, including Bob Dunn, Jaco Maree and Advocate Eric Makhosini Nkosi.
The late Humphrey Browning joined the firm in 1975, under the leadership of his father-in-law; and the late Carl Arndt, a former prosecutor whose reputation stretched beyond KZN, joined the team in 1989 when his firm of Smith, Rohrs & Arndt were bought over by Acutt & Worthington.
Over the years, other respected attorneys joined the team, with Acutt & Worthington boasting a wealth of expertise and knowledge between the leadership of the firm, and well over a century of experience between them.
The firm expanded, establishing itself within the communities of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, with branches in Dundee, Newcastle and even temporarily having satellite branches in Vryheid and Nquthu.
Alex and Sharlene are building swiftly on this historical foundation.
Under their competent leadership, they offer a wide range of legal services, including conveyancing and property law, deceased estates, wills and trusts, civil litigation and debt collection, and family law.
While at school, Alex had every intention of being a game ranger, but as she became more ambitious, she was drawn into the veterinary field. However, a trial run at a local vet clinic convinced her that anything to do with blood was not her ‘game’.
Later, she was keen on studying environmental law before settling on completing her LLB.
“I remember I started working at Acutt & Worthington every school holiday since Standard 9, so it was a natural progression.
“I worked every varsity holiday before eventually serving my articles with the firm in 2009 and being admitted as an attorney on November 4, 2011, and as a conveyancer on September 9, 2013,” she told the Courier.
Sharlene was uncertain about what career to follow after leaving school, but went to Free State University to study teaching. “I realised I did not have the personality to deal with kids, so at the last minute, I changed to law and have not regretted anything since.”
Sharlene was admitted as an attorney on May 23, 1997, and as a conveyancer on January 14, 2003. In November 2003, she acquired the practice, where she served her articles. This practice was amalgamated with Acutt & Worthington on March 1, 2004.
Sharlene is revered as a debt collection practitioner and as a conveyancer, drawing support from many estate agents and walk-in clients.
Besides going through the daunting Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, Acutt & Worthington had to cope with the deaths, within a week, of the highly respected and experienced Humphrey Browning and Carl Arndt.
“It was a terrible blow. However, we had no choice but to dig in and work through the tragedy, putting in the hours to ensure that the work kept flowing. It was a bit like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes,” Alex recalled.
This commitment to the future is reflected in their new logo, proudly emblazoned on the front door of their offices.
Commenting on the current market, Sharlene said the interest rate has put pressure on the property market, which has created uncertain times.
“However, we are always positive and know that times ebb and flow.
“Developing a relationship with clients is very critical to success, as is offering a professional and selfless approach,” Sharlene stressed.
Alex noted that Dundee is going through a hard time economically (as is the rest of the country), but it would not be for the first time.
“Hence the importance of having a dynamic team of support staff, affording us the ability to offer a full spectrum of legal services in the fields we practice in.
“The firm has the additional advantage of having built up an extensive network in the legal profession and corporate world, which we tap into, to provide our clients with specialised legal services to meet their needs, most efficiently and cost-effectively.”
With this approach, Acutt & Worthington will undoubtedly continue to be part of the area’s history.
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