Athenkosi Halom - Associate

Athenkosi Halom is a Legal Practitioner of the High Court of South Africa with experience in litigation, dispute resolution and legal advisory work across civil, family, labour and commercial matters. He is an emerging sports lawyer with a particular interest in the intersection of sport, law, dispute resolution and sports governance.

Athenkosi has developed substantial practical courtroom and litigation experience and further boasts numerous years’ experience independently managing an extensive litigation portfolio, taking matters from initial assessment and legal strategy through drafting, preparation, negotiations, court proceedings and resolution. His experience includes High Court and lower-court proceedings, CCMA arbitrations, tribunal hearings, urgent applications, contractual disputes, legal research, merit assessments and strategic dispute resolution.

He holds an LLB from the University of the Free State, where he achieved 15 academic distinctions. He was part of the research team for the Kate O'Regan Intervarsity Moot during his time at the University of the Free State. During his articles of clerkship, he served as Treasurer of the East London/Mdantsane Candidate Attorneys Association.

His legal practice is complemented by a distinguished sporting background. Athenkosi previously competed for the Free State Cheetahs at U/19 and U/21 Currie Cup level. In 2017, he was named U/19 Player of the Year, became the U/19 Currie Cup Top Try Scorer and Record Holder, and helped his team secure a Currie Cup silver medal. He subsequently progressed to the U/21 squad and Shimlas Varsity Cup squad, where his Varsity Cup involvement culminated into a “Player That Rocks” performance against UCT in 2018.

Athenkosi represented the Eastern Cape Province and Border rugby teams at Craven Week and Grant Khomo Week tournaments, competed as a South African Schools 100m athlete and boasts a sub-11 seconds 100m personal best time, represented Eastern Province and Border cricket at CSA Cricket Weeks, and captained the Border U/14 hockey team to a national championship.

The combination of legal practice and high-performance sporting experience provides Athenkosi with a distinctive perspective on the legal and regulatory environment affecting athletes, sporting organisations and sporting disputes. As an emerging specialist in sports law, his developing practice interests include sports law, sports governance, sports dispute resolution and athlete-related legal matters.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) — University of the Free State.

 

Professional Leadership & Recognition:

• Treasurer — East London/Mdantsane Candidate Attorneys Association.
• Research Team — Kate O'Regan Intervarsity Moot.
• LegalWise Bursary Recipient.
• Independent management of an extensive litigation portfolio.

 

Sporting Achievements:

• Free State Cheetahs U/19 & U/21.
• Free State Cheetahs U/19 Player of the Year – 2017.
• SARU U/19 Currie Cup Top Try Scorer & Record Holder – 2017.
• SARU U/19 Currie Cup Silver Medallist – 2017.
• Shimlas Varsity Cup “Player That Rocks” vs UCT – 2018.
• Eastern Province & Border Rugby U/18 (x2), U/16, U/12, U/13 Craven Week and Grant Khomo Week.
• South African Schools 100m Athlete.
• Eastern Province & Border Cricket U/13 and U/15.
• Border U/14 Hockey Captain — National Champions.

 

Areas of Practice:

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation.
• Civil & Commercial Litigation.
• Labour & Employment Law.
• Family Law.
• Contractual Disputes.
• Legal Advisory & Drafting.
• Sports Law & Sports Dispute Resolution.
• Sports Governance & Athlete Advisory.