Legal professionals gather in Glen Marais for a workshop

Jared Jones Attorneys hosted a dynamic legal networking event at NiceToMeatYou restaurant in Glen Marais on April 4, where legal professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders enjoyed insightful conversation and connection.

The event provided a valuable platform for attendees to explore industry trends, share knowledge, and discuss potential collaborations.

Guests had a top-tier culinary experience, with delicious food and drinks that helped set a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.

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Norman Dawe, representing the Caxton Local Media, emphasised the relevance of local media in today’s business landscape.

“Local suburban dwellers and business owners read their local paper and follow on social media, like the Kempton Express, to see what is happening in their neighbourhood.

“This keeps them informed and helps them plan and shape their business according to local developments,” said Dawe.

Nick Verster, founder of NVJ Quality Products, shared his people-first approach to marketing.

By offering information and building trust, he establishes lasting relationships that drive sales of his premium products.

Among those in attendance was Claudia Lilleike, owner of The Wicked Chef restaurant in Johannesburg, who attended to deepen her understanding of the legal side of running a business.

Also present were Kristian Shaw, a business development consultant, and Brendan Benthein, a strategic account manager at African Commercial, who specialises in supply chain management and attended to gain more insight into contractual matters.

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Casey Venter, an independent litigation paralegal and founder of Vox Consulting, joined the event to support Jared Jones and stay updated on the latest legal developments.

“Other attendees included Herry Ngwenya (founder of Prime Edge Business Solutions), Olivia Thompson (business accountant and tax practitioner), Katlego “MissKay” Ramanna (podcaster and media professional), and Andzatshilidzi Lasly Rammbuda, all keen to grow their networks and gain new insights.

Rammbuda reflected positively on the event, “It was essential. I realised a lot and learned a lot. I found a bookkeeping service and also made a potential collaboration with another attendee. I am excited about the next conference.”

A central theme during the event was the importance of understanding contracts in business.

Jared Jones highlighted the need for careful attention to contract language.

“It is crucial to understand the difference between ‘shall’ and ‘may’ when signing a business contract,” he said.

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He also stressed the value of having clear, written agreements between partners to prevent misunderstandings and support smoother operations.

Guests could ask questions and seek legal guidance from Jones, who made himself available to address business-related concerns.

“Jones shared his vision for the future: “I want to involve the community, develop and empower them, and unite people to generate more jobs,” he said.

He announced plans to host three more conferences this year to equip local businesses with the legal tools and knowledge they need to thrive.