Page 4 - Transformation Report 2018/2019

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1. INTRODUCTION

It affords me great pleasure to present the third Group from within the Group, give definition to what standards
Transformation Report for the periods 2018/19. Despite member firms should adopt and have provided clarity
numerous challenges facing the legal profession and a as to what it means to be a member firm. The adoption
tumultuous economy which can distract and provide an of these Group Values has also contributed to creating a
acceptable excuse for poor progress, the Phatshoane unique and differentiating culture within the Group which
Henney Group has continued to strive and prioritise is noticed by clients and other law firms alike.
transformation within its ranks. In this report I highlight
some of the achievements and challenges we have Central to being a New Breed Law Firm and highly
TM
experienced over the last two years and recommit relevant to South Africa is our primary value of ‘Diversity’.
the Group to its robust transformation imperative in the Transformation and the need to not only transform the
coming years. legal profession but also contribute to the transformation
of the broader South African business environment
The Phatshoane Henney Group, established in 2006, is encapsulated herein, along with the need to
has since its inception maintained a strong focus on promote gender equality in the legal profession and
being recognised as a South African network of law firms diversify firms to be reflective of their South African
meeting local requirements, in contrast to international client base.
legal networks spanning multiple jurisdictions, with each
having their own requirements and territorial nuances. To effect this commitment to ‘Diversity’ and also the South
African imperative of Black Economic Empowerment,
As a South African network of law firms the Group has explicit Group BEE Standards, residing under the auspices
committed itself to empowering member firms to be of the overarching Group Standards, have been adopted
compliant and meet local requirements to ensure that to set clear transformation targets for member firms. These
they are leading corporate citizens of South Africa, and Group BEE Standards form part of the annual certification
so set the standard for law firms locally while embracing process of firms and drive the transformation focus in
the needs and demands of a modern, multicultural member firms.
South Africa.
The decision to implement BEE Standards in the absence
In 2014 the Group adopted uniform Group Standards of a legal sector BEE charter has been fortuitous, as this
applicable to all member firms. These Group Standards has enabled firms to prepare themselves to achieve
are locally relevant and obliges each member firm high BEE levels and establish a foundation for growing
to be annually measured and certified in respect of young black professionals in their firms who can mature
their compliance. In parallel the Group Standards are into professionals and directors. It has also allowed firms
accompanied by Best Practices developed within the to weather continuing changes in the BEE legislation
Group that provide the all-important foundation for landscape, the latest as recent as late 2019, making
compliance. Following annual certification by the Group, effective BEE planning without a resolute and specialised
member firms that achieve exceptional results are focus on BEE difficult, often leaving law firms floundering
recognised through the Group’s annual Achiever Awards. and unprepared.

Our Group Standards have become synonymous with In similar vein the preferential procurement demands
member firms being regarded as New Breed Law Firms that corporates and financial institutions place on law
TM
and epitomise firms that have evolved to meet Group firms have also necessitated a progressive transformation
Standards and so differentiate themselves as being a
TM
New Breed Law Firm .
Underlying the Group Standards and conditional to being Despite numerous challenges
recognised as a New Breed Law Firm is the requirement
TM
that member firms adopt the five Group Values of ‘We to the legal profession, the
Care’, ‘Innovation’, ‘Standards’, ‘Expertise’ and ‘Diversity’. Phatshoane Henney Group has
These Group Values, which have grown organically continued to strive and prioritise
transformation within its ranks

Group Transformation Report for 2018/19