About Lisa
"My husband and I started a management agency in 2014, Birdseye Property Management. It was as a result of this experience, more specifically sectional title transfers, that I became interested in conveyancing and notarial work.
During this time, I completed my LLB through UNISA. I then began working at Taute, Bouwer & Cilliers Attorneys as an article clerk. After admission, I stayed with that firm as a PA and began studying for the conveyancing exam through Gawie le Roux."
On enrolling at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law
"Initially, I registered for the recordings, presented by Erinda Frantzen. This option worked well for me because at that time in my life, I was juggling being a new mom, working full-time, and studying.
I could 'schedule' my study hours around my other commitments. I passed the theory exam the first time I wrote, but not the drafting paper. A few years went by, and when I started preparing for the exam again in 2024/2025, I was not working full-time, so I decided to register for the online sessions. I also decided to tackle the notary and conveyancing papers at the same time. The recorded sessions for both were presented by Erinda, and what I liked about this option was the opportunity to ask questions.
I learnt a lot by being able to ask my own questions, as well as listening to the questions that fellow students asked. This was enough to get me over the line for notarial practice, and again, I passed the conveyancing theory paper, but the drafting paper still eluded me.
Before I attempted that paper for the third time, I registered for the conveyancing workshop. This was a crucial last step for me and really helped me master the practical application of my theoretical knowledge."
On facing challenges
"I studied psychology straight after high school and only came to law later in life."
"I studied while I was working full time and wrote my final exams for my LLB with a newborn baby on my hip."
"Over and above this, Covid-19 hit my family and friends really hard. When I started my articles, I resigned from the management agency I had started with my husband. A dear friend of ours took my place at Birdseye Property. He was one of the unlucky ones, and shortly before I wrote conveyancing for the first time, he fell critically ill and ultimately passed away.
This was a devastating blow for us personally. Moreover, I had to return to Birdseye at this point to help my husband run the business until we ultimately sold it."
"You need a village. I relied heavily on my parents, my mother-in-law, and my husband for support throughout my journey to qualify. I am also very grateful to my brother-in-law for his mentorship."
Lisa's conveyancing exam tips
- "Study the theory well as a foundation. However, don’t underestimate the value of practice.
- Practice, practice, practice drafting. Try to draft under 'examination conditions' to practice working both quickly and accurately. The time flies by in the exam, so you are under huge pressure, and small mistakes can be very costly.
- If you are doing notarial practice and conveyancing at the same time, pay attention to the difference with regard to what is required in respect of drafting for the notarial practice paper and the conveyancing paper. There is overlap with regard to the study material, but the focus (and what is expected of you in the exam) is different."
Studying for the conveyancing exam is a marathon, not a sprint
"The work is detailed and layered, and I needed to go over it several times to really master it. When I failed the drafting paper the second time, I was bitterly disappointed.
Around that time, I happened to read one of these success stories. The writer said: 'Every time I failed, I learnt something new about conveyancing'. That sentiment really struck a chord with me and gave me a completely new perspective. I started approaching passing the exam as a journey and a process. I took time to reflect on how much I had learnt since the first time I attempted the paper.
Looking at it this way, I stopped thinking along the lines of 'if I don’t make it next time, I am giving up' and instead told myself that each session, if you don’t quite make it, is good practice and you take what you have learnt with you to the next round.
Remember, there is absolutely no shame in failing the exam. Don’t give up. It is very challenging, but it can be done, and it feels great when you get there."
What's next?
"Employment in a busy department so that I can gain more practical experience. I love the field of conveyancing and notarial practice and am eager to learn from experienced practitioners."
You can follow or reach out to Lisa on LinkedIn.
Last updated on 25 June 2026.