Professional background and experience:

Leigh commenced her legal career in the late 1990s. She has worked predominantly in the family, delictual and insurance law fields and has sat on various committees over the last two decades, maintaining an active role in the profession. She has previously sat on the Mediation committee of SAMLA and has chaired its national RAF committee. She currently sits on the investigative, disciplinary and mediation committees of her governing body, the LPC. She is a qualified attorney, conveyancer and accredited mediator (CEDR and NABFAM). Leigh has formulated various SAMA accredited training workshops, having presented for a number of organisations including SAMLA, PABASA, Conflict Dynamics and Funda Medical. She continues to advise a number of legal practices on appropriate practice management in the context of mediation and is available to mediate, specifically in the aforementioned fields. 

While an ever-staunch supporter of alternative dispute resolution, in June 2023 she was appointed as an acting judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg.

Mediation experience and style:

Due to the persistent challenges with court access, Leigh transitioned her focus to mediation, while still retaining her involvement in litigation. She has actively embraced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as her primary area of practice. Although she has been engaged in family law mediation for some time, her venture into mediation within the realm of delictual law is relatively recent. Leigh has participated in various mediation initiatives, including the inaugural RAF mediation pilot project and the clinical negligence pilot project led by SAMLA in collaboration with the office of the MEC for Health. She prefers a facilitative mediation style, often incorporating a transformative approach when deemed appropriate.

Comments from mediation clients:

"Thank you for taking the time to guide us through this so thoroughly. You really made things easy."   

"We appreciate your patience and insight in steering us towards resolution."