About Jodene Cilliers

Founder and Partner :Specialises in Estate Planning. Head of the Estate Planning Department.

Other focuses: Oversees the Conveyancing Department.

Qualifications: B.Com Law Degree, LLB Degree, Higher Diploma in Tax Law.

Registered Practising Attorney with the Legal Practice Council.

As the founder, Jodene opened the offices of Cilliers Attorneys™ in 2014 at the age of 31. At the time, she was a first-time Mom, with a three-month-old baby in tow. In an industry that makes it impossible to have a healthy work-life balance, being flexible and available to her child and future children was important to Jodene. This need to be available to her family, together with her Husband's full support and the faith that the Lord would be by her side, gave Jodene the courage to start her own firm. Her Husband joined the firm as a Law Partner three years later in 2017. This was to enable Jodene to have even more flexibility and time with her children, whilst he assisted in the managing, growing and running of the firm. Jodene has recently and proudly celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the law firm. Due to her qualifications and her wide range of experience in various fields of law, she has created a formidable reputation for herself in the legal fraternity. Jodene's modern-day thinking combined with her knowledge, professionalism, integrity and passion for law has made her a force to be reckoned with. She has set a precedent for other female attorneys in the industry that strive for a healthy work-life balance in law. Jodene has shown many of her colleagues that it is possible to achieve success in law and provide high-quality work to clients, whilst prioritising family life.

Education

LLB Degree (UJ)- Four Year Honours Degree

B.Com Law Degree (UJ) Three Year Degree - majoring in business management, economics and law

H.Dip Tax Law (UJ) - Two Year Higher Diploma- Jodene studied this two year higher diploma simultaneously with her last two years of her LLB degree and was the youngest student in her class;

Completed the compulsory PVT (practical vocational training) in terms of the Legal Practice Act;

Completed competency-based examinations for admission as an attorney (board exams);

Admitted Attorney in South Africa;

Obtained Rights of Appearance in the High Court;

Completed the PMT (legal practice management course) required by the LPC, as a law firm owner.

Jodene has obtained a wide variety of experience in her career, proving to be invaluable in the law profession. Although she could have chosen various fields of law to follow as she had the experience, Jodene chose to be a responsible attorney and specialise in a field that she is passionate about. Upon opening Cilliers Attorneys™, she became an Estate Planning Specialist.

2006-2007

During the last two years of her studies, Jodene did vocational law work every Friday for two years at a large law firm . Jodene shadowed various attorneys during her two years of vocational work. She put in the grit required, without compensation, to stand out and was rewarded with articles at the firm, the following year in 2008.
Worked pro bono at the Central Divorce Court, Johannesburg CBD.

Worked pro bono in the Domestic Violence department of the Johannesburg Family Court, Johannesburg CBD.

2008-2009

Attended to Third Party Motor Vehicle claims for the largest insurance companies in South Africa and managed the trials thereof from the drafting of the letter of demand, to the issuing of summons, up to and including the final judgement and/or settlement at court.
Attended to obtaining various default judgements at both the Johannesburg High Court and Pretoria High Court. Liaised with the Registrars of the High Court.
Appeared weekly at court in front of various Magistrates and managed some of the motion court rolls for her firm. The following motion court rolls were her responsibility to manage and to appear at on behalf of her firm: Johannesburg Magistrate Court, Boksburg Magistrate Court, Benoni Magistrate Court, Randburg Magistrate Court and on a few occasions the Alberton Magistrate Court, Springs Magistrate Court and Kempton Magistrate Court.
Attended to various foreclosure auctions across Gauteng at the relevant Sheriff's offices, as a representative of the top South African banks. She ensured the relevant bank obtained the required price at the auction and would bid on their behalf.
Attended to maintenance issues at the Johannesburg Family Court.
Attended to the taxing of bill of costs in front of the Taxing Master at both the Johannesburg High Court and Pretoria High Court.
Mentored by a tax advocate, assisted in the drafting of tax opinions, attended various meetings with clients in relation to tax issues and attended meetings at SARS offices on behalf of clients.

2010-2014

Obtained invaluable experience by working under and being mentored by the top estate planning lawyer in South Africa.
Experienced gained in drafting of trust deeds, dealing with issues in trust deeds, amending of trust deeds, appointment of trustees, resignation of trustees and managing disgruntled trustees and/or beneficiaries.
Attended meetings with various Master's of the High Court including the Chief Master of the High Court in Pretoria, to discuss trust issues.
Regularly attended the international Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners meetings, with her mentor.
Assisted in drafting articles for various law publications including the UK publication PCA.
Compiled the slides and presentations for numerous trust seminars.
Attended to trust litigation in the High Court, from issuing of summons up until and including final judgement and/or settlement.
Experienced gained in drafting of Antenuptial Contracts;
Experienced gained in drafting of Wills, amending of Wills and reviewing of Wills.
Experienced gained in drafting of various Contracts.

2014-current

She founded Cilliers Attorneys™ in 2014.
Appointed as a lecturer to law students in 2015 and 2016. Jodene taught Law of Evidence, Introduction to Legal Studies and Administrative law.
Elected as Vice President of Legacy - BNI, South Africa in 2017. The largest Business Network International Chapter in Africa. An organisation of various business owners.
Experienced gained in the transferring of properties under one of the most experienced Conveyancer's in South Africa, who holds more than 29 years of experience.
Oversees the Conveyancing Department;
Head of the Estate Planning Department.