Established in 1959 by Koos Louw, brother of renowned writer, N.P van Wyk Louw, the firm practised under the name Louw & Kie.

Mr Coen Kotzé joined the firm in 1962, changing the firm’s name to Louw and Kotzé. In 1974, the firm was joined by Otto Low to become Kotzé and Low.  Braam Swanepoel joined the firm in 1982, and the name changed to our current name.

Other partners, namely Herman Swanepoel, Flip Venter and Carel van Heerden, joined the firm and it became the first member of the Phatshoane Henney Group of Associated Law Firms in 2006.

As of 1 March 2020 Kotzé, Low and Swanepoel has merged with Venter, Booysen and Ferreira. Our team is now joined by Flip Venter, Marius Ferreira and Karen Brits. Henceforth, the merged firms will practise as Kotzé, Low and Swanepoel Inc. and KLS Attorneys.

We are a proud member of the Phatshoane Henney Group of Associated Law Firms.

The Phatshoane Henney Group is the largest legal network in South Africa. Currently comprising of nearly 50 law firms with more than 60 offices in 9 provinces and over 500 professionals, the Group continues to grow year-on-year and expand its presence to major centres across South Africa.

The Group was founded in 2006 by Bloemfontein firm Phatshoane Henney Attorneys in response to an identified need of law firms to strategically position themselves for the future and access the economies of scale of a large group with national visibility and brand awareness. Membership provides firms with a range of benefits including vital support services, marketing infrastructure and strategic partnerships that create value, cost savings and business opportunities for firms.

Member firms are dynamic and prominent law firms in their respective regions and subscribe to the Group values of caring, innovation, expertise, standards and transformation – values which make each firm stand out as a New Breed of Law Firm. The Group brand has grown strongly since its establishment and has obtained recognition as a leading brand in the legal profession. The brand is complimentary to individual firm brands which it supports and strengthens by adding visibility and differentiation.

Members pool their resources and expertise to foster a national service directory and network of firms and professionals that are able to assist clients across South Africa. Group quality standards and best practices also provide clients with the comfort of working with experts who provide consistent value-adding legal services to their clients.

With a strong transformation imperative, the Group supports firms to transform and address vital aspects of BEE, employment equity, skills development and diversity; contribute to their communities;  develop their professionals;  and position firms as employers of choice with their staff.

The scale and purchasing power of the Group enables cost reductions, strategic partnership opportunities and negotiating power which benefit member firms and ultimately each firm’s clientele.

For more information on the Phatshoane Henney Group, its values, members and national service directory please visit www.phfirms.co.za.