BDK Celebrates 2025
December 9, 2025
On Friday, 5 December 2025, BDK celebrated the 2025 year. Although our days are often spent in the courtroom, the close of the year is
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There are many ways of choosing an attorney but when it comes to choosing a civil litigation or criminal defence attorney, experience and specialisation counts for more than in almost any other area of legal practice.
At BDK Attorneys, we believe that, although we will never back down on a good fight, litigation is so much more than that. We stand for values where our clients are treated fairly and with compassion. Afterall, it is our job to navigate you through the stormy waters of your legal issues.
Director
Department: Criminal & Commercial Litigation
BA LLB (University of Pretoria)
Piet du Plessis obtained his LLB during 1977, serving his period as a candidate attorney at the same time. He joined the Department of Justice as a Prosecutor at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court in 1978. He practiced as an advocate of the High Court until 1982 when he joined BDK Attorneys as a partner.
Piet specialises in criminal law, with experience on both the defence and prosecution side. He has achieved the right to appear in the highest courts in the country. A privilege which has allowed him to successfully argue several matters in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Away from work, Piet is a keen mountain biker and red wine connoisseur. Piet is a firm believer that if you have more than one bottle of wine left on the day you die, you are guilty of bad planning.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 083 658 1213
Director
Department: Commercial Litigation; Civil Litigation; Family Law; Labour Law; Correspondent Attorney Services
LLB (UNISA)
Amorette Gangel is the first female Director of BDK Attorneys in the firm’s almost 60-year history. Her legal career at BDK Attorneys started when she was appointed as a candidate attorney in 2014, whilst simultaneously studying her LLB through UNISA. Amorette was admitted as an Attorney in the High Court in early 2018.
Amorette has worked tirelessly to develop the civil law and family law departments within BDK Attorneys and has gained extensive understanding and knowledge working with her mentors, Rudi Krause and Piet du Plessis.
When Amorette is not vigorously advocating for her clients, she spends her free time mentoring candidate attorneys all over South Africa with an emphasis on assisting them with board exam preparation.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 084 550 0545
Director
Department: Criminal Litigation, Labour & Immigration Law
LLB (UNISA)
Johan Eksteen started his career as a police officer in the South African Police Services in 1981 and became an investigator in 1983. He worked at the notorious Brixton Murder and Robbery Unit from 1989 until Nov 1997 when he was medically boarded from the SAPS.
After leaving the SAPS, Johan ran his own business working as a loss adjustor and insurance investigator. In 2007 Johan decided to follow his dreams to become an attorney and decided to take up his studies for a LLB degree through Unisa. He completed his degree in 2011 and started working at BDK in 2012.
In 2021 Johan was appointed as a Director of BDK attorneys, which was achieved through his hard work, diligence and determination to never give up. Johan firmly believes in fighting for the rights of his clients.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 082 614 5090
Consultant
Department: Criminal Litigation
BA LLB (RAU)
Although he has retired as a Director of BDK Attorneys, Jannie Kruger continues to be an active consultant and still represents the firm in prominent matters.
Jannie Kruger attained his BA LLB degree at the Rand Afrikaans University in 1976 and joined the Department of Justice in 1977. Jannie was a state prosecutor specialising in statutory offenses for three years. In 1979, he joined the Johannesburg Bar and practiced as an advocate until 1983. He then joined David Botha and Piet du Plessis at BDK Attorneys, which was also where he also served his articles.
Jannie was a director of the firm until retirement. He continues to act as a consultant for BDK Attorneys, practicing in criminal litigation and offering support and advice from the knowledge gained after 35 years’ experience.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 082 658 1214
Consultant
Department: Criminal & Civil Litigation
B.Proc
Ian acts as a consultant for BDK Attorneys, offering expert legal services after more than 21 years in criminal law. Ian is famously known for his ability to resolve complex legal problems and has represented clients in several high-profile cases.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 082 560 1718
Consultant
Department: Family and Matrimonial Law, Commercial Litigation, Civil Litigation and Property Law
LLB Cum Laude (University of Free State), LLB (Murdoch University, Australia)
Ulrich Kruger is a passionate litigator specialising in all aspects of civil, corporate and commercial litigation.
Ulrich started his career at BDK Attorneys in 2018 after completing his LLB Cum Laude at the University of the Free State in 2017. Ulrich became BDK Attorneys’ first Internationally admitted attorney, when he was admitted in Australia.
Ulrich currently practices as a Consultant at BDK Attorneys, from Sydney, Australia, from where he serves his South African clients alongside the BDK Team.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 083 557 3635
Associate
Department: Labour & Criminal Litigation
MA: Emp. Law (Leicester UK); MA: Sociology (RAU); BAHon (UNISA); LLB (UNISA)
Neale Quilliam was born and bred in Johannesburg and after graduating from the Johannesburg College of Education he started his working life in teaching. Following marrying Wendy and expecting their first child, Neale left teaching and entered the commercial world in T&D in the Standard Bank. After the freeing of the labour unions Neale became very interested in Labour Law/Industrial Relations and sought a position where that was happening and was appointed to Murray & Roberts Construction as their HR/IR Manager.
From there, Neale was ‘headhunted’ and offered a position in Air Products SA Ltd as their HR/IR Executive where he remained until his retirement in 2013. During this time Neale was involved in the formation of the National Bargaining Council for the Chemicals Industry as well as the establishment of the Chemicals Industry Sector Education and Training Authority. He was also tasked with the writing and development of the Air Products worldwide Leadership Development training courses and delivered many of these courses in Singapore and the USA.
Throughout his working life, Neale continued studying and in 2012, he received his LLB from UNISA, which he added to his already awarded, MA (Employment Law; Leicester: UK) MA (Sociology) (RAU) BAHons (UNISA) and TTHD(JCE).
Neale joined BDK Attorneys in 2014 and handles the Labour Law matters in BDK Attorneys but also practices criminal law when required.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 082 568 6814
Associate
Associate
Department: Criminal and Civil Litigation
LLB (Unisa), MTech (Crim-Use of Lethal Force), BTech (Crim-Investigations), Nat Dip (Policing), PCFS
Rita began her career as a policewoman in the South African Police Service in the 1990’s and was stationed at the CR Swart Square at the Durban Flying Squad. Having worked her way to the rank of Commissioned Officer she resigned as Lieutenant Colonel and progressed into the corporate arena after being “headhunted” by Sasol, a global chemicals and energy company to serve within the Safety, Security and Ethics business units.
After an illustrious career in crime-fighting, she was determined to pursue her passion for people and the law. She went on to successfully complete her LLB degree and joined the BDK family in 2021.
She has gained significant experience and the privilege of having served for over 30 years within the legal arena, in both Government and Corporate sectors in South Africa. Her diverse expertise and skillset spans from strategic and operational law enforcement to corporate strategy, cultural transformation and leadership. Rita has contributed to various types of investigations such as criminal, white-collar crimes including ethics and corporate law matters. She has been fortunate to serve, lead and manage diverse teams, collaborated with multidisciplinary task teams and various stakeholders on a range of projects, including cross-continent global projects.
Rita has had the privilege to work with her mentors Piet du Plessis and Jannie Kruger at BDK Attorneys. She is passionate about the law and seeks to make a meaningful difference in society and in people’s lives.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 083 557 6735
Associate
Department: Criminal and Civil Litigation
LLB (UNISA)
Tristan started his legal career in Sandton in 2020 in the civil and commercial litigation arena gaining valuable experience.
He went on to successfully complete his Practical Legal Training course via the full time LSSA-LEAD Program.
During September 2021, Tristan joined the BDK Family and whilst working predominantly in criminal law litigation, serving candidacy with Mr Piet du Plessis. He has gained invaluable experience in both commercial and civil litigation, providing legal advice and services to individual and business clients on their legal options including representing clients at court on bail applications, trials and drafting legal documents.
Tristan has successfully employed alternate dispute resolutions (such as mediation) in an effective way to assist parties to resolve issues rather than by litigation via court proceedings.
Tristan has attended various matters on a watching brief basis and assisted the State where necessary including reporting to and updating clients on their matters before court. In this way the right and interests of victims of crime are protect and safeguarded.
In his personal capacity, Tristan is also an avid musician and serves as a Lead Guitarist at the Rhema Bible Church North Main Campus.
He is a firm believer of the motto made famous by Lewis Hamilton: “You can knock me down, but I get up twice as strong”.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 082 653 4017
Associate
Department: Criminal Litigation
LLB (IIE Varsity College)
Rylan Naidoo joined the BDK family in 2022.
Rylan successfully completed his LLB in 2021 at the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) Varsity College Sandton. He was part of the first class to have graduated with an LLB from a private institution in South Africa.
Rylan is an individual adept at expressing diverse talents from the academic sphere to the sporting arena. His key strength lies in his innate ability to quickly adapt to challenges thrown at him.
As former fraud analyst at Investec, a banking and wealth management group, Rylan served as part of a dynamic team responsible for analysing and identifying financial crime patterns and pro-actively curbing, reporting and investigating matters and or scams, in the financial sector.
His attention to detail and strong work ethic makes him ideally positioned to contribute to his future legal career. He has served in many community outreach programmes especially the underprivileged community.
Rylan’s favourite motto is “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 083 376 8467
Associate
Department: Criminal and Civil Litigation, Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Sports)
Kobus hails from the countryside in the Southern Free State and joined the BDK team in 2024 as a candidate legal practitioner who was subsequently admitted as a Legal Practitioner in early 2025.
Kobus is a passionate jurist and is dedicated to serve his clients with serenity throughout the turbulence caused by litigation.
Kobus is a sports enthusiast and enjoys dispute resolution within the sports arena (litigiously and physically!).
Kobus has had the privilege of representing clients in a wide range of legal matters, including criminal matters, civil matters, family law matters etc., achieving favourable outcomes through strategic litigation and negotiation.
His passion for the law is matched only by his commitment to his clients’ success. Whether navigating complex legal challenges or offering practical advice, Kobus strives to make the legal process as clear and manageable as possible for clients.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 083 462 2615
Candidate Attorney
Department: Criminal Law
LLB
BA in Law (with psychology)
Chamonay Grobler, the youngest member of BDK Attorneys, joined the firm in 2024 as a Candidate Attorney in the criminal law field. Known for her fierce determination and resilience, Chamonay is one of the few female candidate attorneys in this demanding area of law and is unafraid to take on the challenges it brings.
Her journey in law began at North-West University, where she earned a BA in Law with Psychology in 2021, followed by an LLB degree in 2023. Chamonay brings exceptional organizational skills, an unwaveringly positive attitude, and an intense commitment to her work. She embodies the qualities of a future legal practitioner and has aspirations of one day becoming “Adv. Grobler,” fully prepared to dedicate herself to this path.
Adaptability has been a hallmark of Chamonay’s academic and professional life. Completing two degrees during the global pandemic, she demonstrated resilience and an ability to thrive under challenging circumstances. Now, as a candidate attorney at BDK Attorneys, Chamonay is eager to make a meaningful impact in the firm and contribute boldly to the field of criminal law.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Candidate Attorney
Department: Criminal Litigation
LLB (NWU),
LLM in Criminal Law and Procedure (NWU),
LLM candidate in International Trade Law (NWU) (in progress)
Ntando Mashele has a strong passion for criminal law and justice which has continued to develop throughout his academic journey and through practice.
His LLB degree is complemented by an LLM in criminal law and criminal procedure which has provided him with exposure to legal research and drafting, where he had the opportunity to successfully draft legal opinions and heads of arguments on practical, related legal issues.
Ntando has completed various writings such as: (1) critically assessing Section 78(1A) and 78(1B) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 to determine whether these provisions amount to a justifiable infringement or limitation of section 35(3)(h) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; (2) postpartum depression as a possible ground for excluding criminal liability in South Africa, inspired by the high-profile murder case in New Zealand involving Lauren Dickason, a South African woman accused of killing her three daughters; and (3) and a critical analysis of Section 3 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.
Ntando has since completed two online courses at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on corruption: “Introduction to Anti-Corruption” and “Advanced Anti-Corruption: The Prevention of Corruption.”
Ntando is currently enrolled in a structured LLM in International Trade Law with the North West University (Potchefstroom Campus) with which he will enhance his knowledge in international sales, electronic commerce, contract law, transport law, dispute resolution, customs and excise law, as well as international instruments such as payment and guarantees.
Ntando joined BDK Attorneys in 2024 and aims to be admitted as a Legal Practitioner in 2026.
Phone: 011 838 1214
Mobile: 082 496 0325
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On Friday, 5 December 2025, BDK celebrated the 2025 year. Although our days are often spent in the courtroom, the close of the year is
