Merger rings in change for veteran law firm

ONE of Namibia’s oldest law firms, Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann, is set to witness the effects of the winds of change at the end of this month.

The firm will merge with one of the country’s most prominent young law firms to acquire a more representative new face. With a merger on the cards with Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga Inc, the name of Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann – a firm with roots dating back to 1949 – will start to fade into history from September 1.The two firms announced their impending merger on Monday.From the start of September, they will begin doing business together under the name Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated.The new firm will be led by 10 directors.Seven of them will come from Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann, with three from Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga Inc.The latter firm has existed since 2000, and has quickly grown into one of Namibia’s most highly regarded young law firms led by a new generation of black lawyers.For Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann – a firm with a predominantly German and Afrikaans legacy – the merger with a firm with solid black credentials will provide a new profile reflecting the changes that Namibian society has witnessed since Independence in 1990.For Kauta and company, in turn, the link-up with Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann will connect them to a firm that is one of the main providers of conveyancing services in Namibia and that has the benefit of decades of experience over which it could build up long-term client relationships with some of Namibia’s heavyweight financial and corporate institutions.Patrick Kauta, one of the founding partners of Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga, and set to be one of the founding directors of the new firm, said at the announcement of the merger that it represented Namibia’s first such merger into a “united, multi-cultural and multi-functional firm”.It was a step in line with the transformation taking place in the country, he said.André Swanepoel, one of the senior current partners in Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann, commented that for some of the long-time partners at his firm who had had ties to the firm for 25 years or more, the decision had not been an easy one to arrive at – but it was seen as an inevitable step if the firm wanted to keep growing and remain successful.”We are not here for window-dressing.It’s a business decision,” Swanepoel said.Kauta also acknowledged that the decision had not been taken lightly.It was an idea that had been germinating over the past two years, and had also been accompanied by fears of failure and initial fears of working in a cross-cultural group, he said.It was however high time that law firms in Namibia should no longer only be known in communities they have traditionally served – whether these be German, Afrikaans, Herero or something else, he remarked.Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc will move to new offices in the Ausspannplatz area next month, and will also maintain a branch office at Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga’s current offices opposite the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura.With a merger on the cards with Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga Inc, the name of Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann – a firm with roots dating back to 1949 – will start to fade into history from September 1.The two firms announced their impending merger on Monday.From the start of September, they will begin doing business together under the name Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated.The new firm will be led by 10 directors.Seven of them will come from Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann, with three from Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga Inc.The latter firm has existed since 2000, and has quickly grown into one of Namibia’s most highly regarded young law firms led by a new generation of black lawyers.For Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann – a firm with a predominantly German and Afrikaans legacy – the merger with a firm with solid black credentials will provide a new profile reflecting the changes that Namibian society has witnessed since Independence in 1990.For Kauta and company, in turn, the link-up with Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann will connect them to a firm that is one of the main providers of conveyancing services in Namibia and that has the benefit of decades of experience over which it could build up long-term client relationships with some of Namibia’s heavyweight financial and corporate institutions.Patrick Kauta, one of the founding partners of Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga, and set to be one of the founding directors of the new firm, said at the announcement of the merger that it represented Namibia’s first such merger into a “united, multi-cultural and multi-functional firm”.It was a step in line with the transformation taking place in the country, he said.André Swanepoel, one of the senior current partners in Dr Weder, Kruger & Hartmann, commented that for some of the long-time partners at his firm who had had ties to the firm for 25 years or more, the decision had not been an easy one to arrive at – but it was seen as an inevitable step if the firm wanted to keep growing and remain successful.”We are not here for window-dressing.It’s a business decision,” Swanepoel said.Kauta also acknowledged that the decision had not been taken lightly.It was an idea that had been germinating over the past two years, and had also been accompanied by fears of failure and initial fears of working in a cross-cultural group, he said.It was however high time that law firms in Namibia should no longer only be known in communities they have traditionally served – whether these be German, Afrikaans, Herero or something else, he remarked.Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc will move to new offices in the Ausspannplatz area next month, and will also maintain a branch office at Kauta, Basson & Kamuhanga’s current offices opposite the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura.