When people hear that you have been appointed as a Director, the first thing they usually say is, "Congratulations!"
And while I am immensely grateful, I have realised over the past month that being entrusted as a Director isn't really about the title but rather about the responsibility that comes with it.
Becoming a Director at a law firm is often seen as the culmination of years of study, long hours, demanding deadlines and professional growth. While it is undoubtedly a milestone worth celebrating, I have come to realise that the title itself is only a small part of what truly changes. The biggest shift isn't in your email signature, but in the way you begin to think.
Having joined Marais Muller Hendricks Inc. in 2022 as a Candidate Attorney, being admitted as an Attorney in 2024, and as a Conveyancer in 2025, this milestone came much sooner than I had ever anticipated.
If you had told me a month ago that I'd be writing this as a Director at the age of 31, I probably would have responded exactly as I did when I first heard the news: “No way!”
In many ways, my day-to-day remains the same. I still have the privilege of serving clients, navigating legal matters, and doing the work that I genuinely enjoy. But what has changed is the way in which I view my role.
One of the learning curves has been seeing the business behind the profession. As lawyers, we naturally focus on the law, but there is so much more involved in building a practice that not only delivers excellent legal services but also creates opportunities for others and serves people well for years to come.
One of the things I look forward to most about becoming a Director is having a seat at the table where decisions are made. Ironically, I believe this will also be the part that will humble me the most too. Those conversations carry weight. They shape people, clients, colleagues, and the future of the firm. I know these conversations will continue to remind me that leadership is not always about having a louder voice but is about having the wisdom to listen well before speaking.
I have also become more aware that influence carries responsibility. People notice how you respond under pressure, how you treat others, and how you conduct yourself. Leadership isn't only demonstrated in the big decisions but is often revealed in the ordinary, everyday moments that no one applauds.
I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by directors and colleagues who have welcomed me with encouragement, wisdom and a genuine willingness to teach. Their confidence in me has reminded me that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about remaining teachable and being willing to keep learning.
Working in our Wills, Deceased Estates, and Conveyancing departments has taught me that behind every file is a person, a family, and a story. While clients come to us for legal advice, many simply want to know and feel assured that they have been heard. This outlook remains important to me, and now, being entrusted with this role has only reinforced how privileged we are to carry that trust on behalf of our clients and our firm.
Words I hold onto are that “whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much”. And so, I believe this wasn’t simply a promotion but an invitation to steward greater trust.
Trust isn’t built in a single achievement or a defining moment. It’s built quietly, through consistency, integrity, humility and faithfulness in the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed. It’s built by showing up, learning from mistakes, remaining teachable and striving to do even the smallest things with excellence.
Although becoming a Director is one of the greatest milestones of my career, it has not made me feel as though I have “arrived”. If anything, it has reminded me just how much there is still to learn.
As I continue to grow in this role, I hope to lead with integrity, humility, and excellence. I hope to make wise decisions, navigate difficult conversations with grace, and continue learning from those who have gone before me.
More than anything, I hope to be known not because I hold the title of Director, but because of how I treat people. I hope my integrity earns respect before my position ever does. I hope that my contributions leave a lasting impact in the firm, that clients feel heard, colleagues feel supported, and that I leave every conversation a little better than I found it.
One month in and I certainly don't have all the answers. What I do know is currently a drop in the bucket in comparison to what there is still to learn. And perhaps that is exactly what leadership is. Not always having all the answers but faithfully stewarding what you have been entrusted with, while never losing the humility to keep learning.
For that opportunity, I am truly grateful.
About the author
Elsha Erasmus is a Director at MMH and a Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alumna.
Last updated on 20 July 2026.