About Simon Dippenaar & Associates

Simon Dippenaar

Founder & Managing Partner

Attorney Simon Dippenaar has a BBusSc LLB degree and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Cape Town, and is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He is the founder and director of private legal practice, Simon Dippenaar & Associates, with offices in Cape Town and Gauteng representing South African and international clients.

Simon’s dedication, diplomacy and compassionate approach extend from Family Law to each of his fields of expertise and have earned him a reputation for cracking cases where his competitors have failed. His associates are appointed for their skills specific to their areas of practice. In these pages, Simon’s devotion to the legal profession is evident in the quotes from SD Law’s appreciative clients (names withheld to respect confidentiality).

Simon is committed to serving his community and the less fortunate. He is on record in one of South Africa’s biggest mass eviction cases in Marikana, representing, pro bono, the unlawful occupiers and their constitutional right to adequate housing.

Simon is an executive member of the South African Police Services Forum and is head of finance, as well as a long standing member of Rotary International and member of the Cape Chamber of Commerce.

Craig Wilkinson, Founder and Executive Director of Father A Nation, recently on TEDx described Simon’s approach as one that, first and foremost, strives to achieve “high EQ win-win” resolutions.

Rayaan Allom

Senior Attorney

Rayaan Allom is a highly respected Senior Attorney at SDLaw, where he brings over 16 years of legal experience to the team. With a strong background in a diverse range of legal services, Rayaan has been an integral part of SDLaw’s success since 2018 when he started collaborating with the firm.

Rayaan’s areas of expertise include divorce, property law, labor law, commercial law, contracts, dispute resolution, litigation, debt collections, eviction, and wills & estates. He places a high value on remaining stoic, rising above drama and criticism, and is known for his unshakable, cool, calm, and collected demeanor. Rayaan’s excellent debating and public speaking skills, combined with his mastery of the written word, make him a formidable legal professional.

He honed his skills after working under senior counsel for several years and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with juniors. Rayaan’s patient and nurturing approach to teaching has made a lasting impact on those he mentors.

Outside of his professional life, Rayaan is a devoted father of three and actively contributes to his local community. He often serves as a guest speaker at his mosque, sharing his knowledge and experiences with others. Rayaan is a family man who upholds strong family values.

Before pursuing a career in law, Rayaan played rugby, soccer and tennis at a competitive level.

Mehra Amiri

Associate Attorney

We are proud to introduce Mehra Amiri, one of our highly esteemed legal associates, a passionate and experienced professional who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our family law department.

With roots in Iran and a decade of residency in South Africa, Mehra has dedicated her academic career to pursuing excellence in the legal profession. She obtained her BA Law degree (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria in 2018, and was awarded the prestigious Academic Merit Award. Her commitment to excellence continued with her postgraduate LLB (cum laude) in November 2020, earning her a place on the Dean’s list, Academic Honorary Colours, and recognition as the recipient of the subject prize for Trusts & Estates. Her academic achievements have been further recognized by her induction into the Golden Key International Honour Society since 2016.

Mehra’s rigorous studies have instilled exceptional verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to handle a high volume of tasks with ease. Effective planning and time management are always top priorities in her work.

Mehra is well-versed in a broad range of family law matters, from uncontested divorces to contested divorces, guardianship and relocation applications, Rule 43s, and changes in matrimonial property applications. She is deeply committed to providing considerate and diligent case management to her clients, even while juggling a high-volume caseload. To Mehra, being a family lawyer means more than just having knowledge of the law—it’s about establishing a trusting relationship with her clients, making them feel safe and supported during a challenging and emotionally trying time.

Working in the family law department at SD Law has given Mehra the opportunity to form close connections with her clients, which is a fulfilling and meaningful aspect of her work. Her next professional goal is to become a qualified mediator and conveyancer, so that she can continue to broaden her skills and better serve her clients.

Cronje Oosthuizen

Associate Attorney

Meet Cronje, a budding legal practitioner who spent the majority of his childhood in Germany and a little bit in America before moving to Pretoria, South Africa to pursue his academic and professional goals. He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce in Law (Majoring in Financial Accounting and Taxation) in 2018 and his Bachelor of Law in 2020 at the University of Pretoria.

During his time in university, Cronje was an integral member of the Student Disciplinary Advisory Panel, where he served as Chairperson and procedural advisor, providing assistance to students who faced charges of misconduct. Seeking further legal experience, he joined the University of Pretoria’s Law Clinic in his final year of studies, where he encountered a range of ethical, professional, and practical considerations that proved to be invaluable to his legal career.

With a natural inclination towards questioning, discerning, and advocating ideas and justifications, Cronje found that law was the perfect fit for him. He believes that committing to professional development and accepting that every day is a school day are key to his legal development and practice.

Layla Patel

Associate Attorney

LLB (UWC, Summa Cum Laude), High Court Right of Appearance

Layla Patel is an associate at SD Law who brings a client-centred, emotionally intelligent, and deeply principled approach to her practice. A summa cum laude graduate from the University of the Western Cape, Layla has distinguished herself across a broad spectrum of legal matters – from corporate and commercial disputes to matrimonial, care, and contact cases.

Driven by a lifelong curiosity for how legal principles thread through every aspect of society, Layla is known for her ability to find novel solutions by connecting ideas across disciplines. She is especially skilled at resolving complex, high-conflict matters with both intellectual creativity and compassionate precision. One such case – a parental abduction rooted in the protection of children from abuse – strengthened her belief that empathy is not only a strength in the legal profession but often the key to justice.

Layla’s litigation experience spans Magistrates’ and High Court work, and she holds the right of appearance in the High Court. Whether advising on property disputes, insolvency, family law, or economic crime, she is unwavering in her commitment to ethical advocacy and transparent counsel. Her work is guided by compassion, novelty, and a high EQ – a reflection of SD Law’s ubuntu philosophy and our mission to protect client dignity in every matter.

Outside of practice, Layla finds balance through Pilates, running, and spending time with those she holds close. She also supports charitable initiatives and is seeking long-term opportunities for meaningful community engagement.

Eloise Wettergreen

Operations Manager

Eloise has been an integral member of Simon Dippenaar & Associates Inc. since 2019, gaining extensive experience across the firm’s operations.

Working closely alongside Simon, Eloise has developed a broad skill set encompassing legal support, practice management, client relations, marketing and business administration. Her role has evolved significantly over the years, allowing her to develop a comprehensive understanding of both the legal and operational aspects of a modern law practice.

Eloise has assisted with a wide range of legal matters, providing paralegal support in areas including family law, civil litigation, commercial disputes and property related matters. In addition to her legal responsibilities, she plays a key role in the day to day management of the firm, overseeing operational processes, client service, financial administration, billing, and the implementation of internal systems designed to improve efficiency and client experience.

Her diverse experience enables her to bridge the gap between legal practice and business management, ensuring that clients receive efficient, professional and responsive service throughout their matters.

Eloise is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and is passionate about contributing to the continued growth and success of the firm.

Anneke Du Toit

Contract Attorney

Anneke is a seasoned legal professional with over 17 years of experience in the field. She earned her LLB degree from Rand Afrikaans University (now known as University of Johannesburg) in 2002, and completed her articles in 2004 with Du Randt Incorporated, where she later became a Director in 2006.

In 2019, Anneke established her own private law firm, Du Toit Attorneys, situated in Bryanston, Johannesburg. With a strong sense of justice and a desire to improve the legal system and the lives of those it affects, Anneke believes that the law touches and changes our lives on a daily basis, governing what we can and cannot do. She is passionate about helping others and sees the law as a tool to achieve this.

Anneke’s extensive experience includes a wide range of general litigation in all courts, but her true passion lies in family and divorce-related matters, evictions, labour and employment law. She chose to specialize in family law due to its dynamic and ever-changing nature, her personal passion for the field, and the high degree of personal interaction involved.

In addition to her expertise in family law, Anneke also has specialized experience in international parental child abduction and the application of the Hague Convention of the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 1996 (Act 72 of 1996).

Anneke’s personal values of honesty, trust, respect and integrity are at the core of her practice and her life. She holds herself accountable for her actions, successes and failures, and is committed to providing her clients with a high standard and unbeatable legal service. Anneke enjoys the diversity of family law matters and approaches each client with warmth, empathy, and the respect they deserve as unique individuals. She is dedicated to providing her clients with a speedy response and solution to their legal queries and to providing them with the highest standard of legal advice in all areas of the law.

Anneke lives by the following motto: “For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible” – Zaid K. Abdrlnour.

Jaylee Feldman

Candidate Attorney

Jaylee Feldman is an LLB graduate from the University of the Western Cape and is currently pursuing an LLM degree specialising in Labour Law.

As a dedicated student, Jaylee excelled in various challenging courses which resulted in her attaining a spot on the Deans Merit List in her final year and becoming a member of the Golden Key Society. In addition to her strong academic background, Jaylee was actively involved in the Street Law Clinic where she provided legal aid to the local community.

Jaylee has a deep interest in the law and a desire to make a positive impact on society through the application of justice. Jaylee’s vision as a lawyer is to engage in a diverse range of legal practice areas, gaining invaluable experience. Jaylee is dedicated to ongoing learning, professional development and creating meaningful change.

Abraham Nel

Paralegal

As a seasoned professional with a diverse background in finance and legal support, Abraham brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SD Law. Abraham completed matric in 1980 and served in the army for two years. In 1983, he joined Barclays National Bank, where he built a successful career over the next 21 years. He achieved the Associate Diploma in the Institute of Bankers exams.

After leaving Barclays, Abraham joined an asset management company, becoming a Securities Settlement Officer after passing the South African Institute of Financial Markers Settlement Exam. However, the company faced difficulties and was placed into curatorship, leading to a new opportunity. Today, Abraham offers specialised litigation support services to clients at SD Law.

Tristan Mattiuzzo

Candidate Attorney