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Jeremy matriculated from Kearsney College in 1967 and spent the following year in Walvis Bay with the SADF, undergoing compulsory military training.
In 1971 he commenced Articles at Stowell & Co. and after completing his Natal Law Certificate and Articles, was admitted as an Attorney on 16th August 1976. A few years later he was admitted as a Conveyancer and thereafter as a Notary Public.
Jeremy has also been admitted as an Attorney in Lesotho.
After being employed by Holness Vermaak & Co. in Pietermaritzburg for approximately 5 years and by Elliot & Walker of Kokstad for a year, Jeremy joined Bale Greene & Morcom (now Bale Buchanan) in 1979 and remained with them as a Partner until 28 February 1996.
On 1 March 1996, he commenced practice with his wife, Alida Hartzenberg and Brian Wilkes under the name of Hartzenberg Smith & Wilkes, which then became Smith & Wilkes.
Jeremy joined J Leslie Smith on 30th November 2007 as an Associate.
Jeremy has always loved sport and in his younger days played representative rugby, cricket and hockey at school and club level.
He has a love for photography, music, serving the community through the Church and service organizations, wild life and reading.
Jeremy has always enjoyed serving the public in the field of law as he finds it challenging and stimulating.
What is important to you in your work?
A far as possible to treat everyone equally, with a touch of love, kindness, respect and a smile thrown in for good measure. That goes for clients, staff members, directors, Government officials and anyone who I interact with. I have always believed that the way in which I treat people, is the way in which I will be treated and generally speaking it has been most effective and assisted me considerably in my work.
What values are important to you?
Honesty & integrity is of the utmost importance and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our clients receive absolute peace of mind; proper accountability and satisfaction with regard to any work that they have entrusted to us – this will also result in job satisfaction on our part. There is always the element of human error, but I believe that one must be straight forward and truthful in such instances, no matter how hurtful or embarrassing the situation might be. I find that people are very respectful and forgiving of the truth.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
“Always do your best and enjoy it.” This is the encouragement that I have always given to my children and if I did not adopt that as my motto, I would be a bit of a fraud, wouldn’t I? Consequently, I have the determination to ensure that I see all work given to me, no matter how difficult it is, how many pitfalls there are or how long it takes me, right through to the end. Many years ago when I started a new job, I was handed a complex matter that had been going on for years, and even though it took me three years to get the transaction registered, I was truly elated by my achievement.
Before the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, Francois Pienaar told his team that even if it resulted in broken bones and being carried off the field, he would stop Jonah Lomu. Everyone knows the result of that match and it is that sort of determination that keeps me going forward.