Erika Bester (Partner)With 30 years’ experience in the field, Erika is able to handle labour related matters at any level, including aspects such as:

• Restructuring
• Negotiation
• Disciplinary – and Performance issues
• Drafting (agreements, policies, pleadings, awards etc)
• Litigation (CCMA, Labour -, Labour Appeal – and Constitutional Court)

As a Tokiso panelist as well as in her capacity as attorney, she has extensive experience acting as Chairperson, Mediator or Arbitrator, both privately as well as for various Bargaining Councils. Erika has had the privilege of acting as a Judge in the Labour Court. She has also founded a training company which provides customized and/or accredited training relating to labour relations, where she shares her experience.

PIERRE VAN DER MERWE (Senior Associate)In 2004 he relocated to Pretoria where he joined the commercial and litigation department of Jacobs and Partners Attorneys.  There he gained experience in High Court litigation and commercial work, including contracts and industrial relations.  In 2005 he commenced practice as a Professional Assistant with Bester & Rhoodie Attorneys and was later appointed Senior Associate.Pierre has more than 20 years’ experience in all aspects of Labour Law and related matters, ranging from ;

• • • the drafting of employment contracts and policies,
    • attending to a wide variety of CCMA and Bargaining Council disputes,
    • Labour Court litigation
    • chairing disciplinary hearings and other forms of enquiries
    • dealing with Union related matters.

He has extensive knowledge of collective labour law, including collective agreements and organisational rights. Pierre is also a training facilitator and regularly provides training to employers on a wide range of workplace topics.

JAN RHOODIE (Partner)Since 1995, Jan has been extensively involved with labour law and industrial relations, both as consultant and as practicing attorney.  He also acts in the capacity of Human Resource Manager / Director for some clients.Jan has experience in a broad range of industrial relations and labour law matters, ranging from ;

• • • the drafting of workplace documentation,
    • union related matters,
    • CCMA and Labour Court disputes,
    • personnel training,
    • discipline in the workplace,
    • chairing disciplinary hearings and
    • conflict resolution.

Jan has at various clients, especially during and after Covid, successfully dealt with ;

• • • organizational restructuring / retrenchment, and
    • wage negotiations / strikes,

Jan also regularly appears in the CCMA and the Labour Court and has on three occasions done duty as Acting Judge in that court.