MEMBERS
BComm LLB
Melanie Barnes
Melanie Barnes, hails from Empangeni, North Coast KwaZulu-Natal and holds both a BCom Law and LLB Degree. After attaining her first qualification in 2017 with distinction, her great ambition coupled with her Orator background and interests in debate of current affairs, led her to Pretoria to study Law where she obtained her LLB Degree from the University of Pretoria in 2021. She then went on to immerse herself in the Practical Legal Training Programme, concurrently receiving certification in the BLA Trial Advocacy Training programme of 2021. Avidly striving towards bringing her Advocacy pursuits to fruition, she then completed the LSSA LEAD PVT Structured Coursework and Exam Preparation for Pupils in 2023, with distinction.
She completed pupillage in 2023 at the esteemed Durban Bar, under the mentorship of Zuanite Ploos Van Amstel, where she gained unparalleled growth and agility as a young female professional through immense exposure to and experience in Civil and Criminal Trial litigation, Motion Court, and Labour Court – including Arbitration work.
Melanie is dedicated to socio-economic involvement, transformation through representation and tangible progressiveness in view of collective successes. She continues to actively fulfil her role in various initiatives through individual and joint social projects with key community organisations, philanthropic foundations and independent corporate stakeholders, to bridge the gap and unveil glimmers of social cohesion.
She possesses a strong interest in the range of legal areas, including but not limited to: Public and Administrative Law; Commercial Litigation; Municipal Law; Labour Law; Family Law, Constitutional Law and Customary/Indigenous Law.
Outside of practice and community service, Melanie thoroughly enjoys exploring outdoor hidden gems, adventurous activities, the arts, media creation and photography freelancing. Passionate about traveling, she is fulfilled by aesthetics and scenery, while learning about different cultures, traditions and cuisines.