Overview   

The legal profession in South Africa is undergoing a period of significant change, requiring practitioners to rethink the way their businesses are structured and managed. Whether you are a sole practitioner, part of a partnership, or running an incorporated practice, the choice of legal business enterprise has far-reaching implications for compliance, taxation, liability, and growth. This webinar explores the various business structures available to legal practitioners, their regulatory requirements, and strategies for evolving traditional firms into agile, technology-driven practices. 

Join Lisa Thomas on 24 October 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, as she unpacks the critical considerations when choosing a business structure for your legal practice and provides guidance on transitioning towards modern, sustainable, and efficient legal business models. 

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the key types of legal business enterprises in South Africa and their respective advantages and disadvantages. 
• Identify the tax and liability implications associated with different legal structures. 
• Evaluate evolving models of legal service delivery, including boutique firms, legal tech startups, and alternative legal service providers (ALSPs). 
• Develop strategies for transitioning a traditional law firm into a modern, technology-enabled enterprise. 
• Apply practical tools such as a 5-year plan template to define growth objectives and measure firm performance.   

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Types of Business Enterprises in South Africa 
  o Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and incorporated practices 
  o Private companies vs. personal liability companies 
  o Legal firm structures under the Legal Practice Act 
  o Advantages and disadvantages of each structure 

• Tax Implications and Liability for Debts 
  o Overview of legal firm taxation (income tax, VAT, PAYE) 
  o Limited vs. unlimited liability and their implications 
  o Financial management and SARS compliance 
  o Tax planning strategies for law firms 

• Evolving Legal Business Models 
  o Traditional firms vs. boutique and specialist practices 
  o Shifting from traditional practice to modern legal management 
  o Incorporating technology and embracing virtual practice models 
  o Sustainability, succession planning, and long-term firm growth 

• Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) 
  o Understanding what defines an ALSP 
  o Opportunities within the South African ALSP market 
  o Leveraging technology and process efficiency 
  o Navigating regulatory and ethical considerations 

• Supplementary Resource: 5-Year Plan Template for a Law Firm 
  o Developing a vision and mission for your practice 
  o Setting measurable goals and KPIs 
  o Growth strategies and performance tracking   

About the presenter 

Lisa Thomas 

Adv Lisa Thomas is a former criminal defence advocate and in-house counsel in Durban, Lisa has seen the law practice from both sides. She graduated with her LLB, completed her pupillage, and was admitted as an advocate in 2008. Her current area of interest is in alternative dispute resolution, specifically mediation. She is a maverick for humanity and ethics within the legal profession in South Africa with a focus on candidate attorneys 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Candidate attorneys 

• Law students  

• Pupil advocates  

• Paralegals 

• Junior legal practitioners 

Price      

• R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual. 

• Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)  

• Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)  

• Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users 

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here  to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here  to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/ or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar. 

About SA Legal Academy 

Welcome to SA Legal Academy (SALA), a provider of courses to help you succeed in your chosen career. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Our courses are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and enhance your career prospects. With our experienced training staff and comprehensive resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training from SA Legal Academy. 

SALA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses. 

Corporate Training Solutions 

At SALA, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in legal and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. 

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios. 

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 012 941 0448. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals. 

Contact Us For More Information 

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!  

• Online chat through our website.  

• Phone: +27 (0) 12 941 0448  

• E-mail: [email protected]