Experienced people. Clear advice. A practical way forward.
Hugh Raichlin Attorneys is a full-service Johannesburg practice serving individuals, families, property clients and businesses. We bring the relevant legal experience to your matter and help you understand what the available options mean in practice.
Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Founder (Est. 1993)
A Johannesburg practice built over more than three decades.
Founded in 1993, HRA has developed a practice spanning family and divorce law, property and conveyancing, wills and estates, commercial matters, labour law, insolvency and dispute resolution. That breadth is useful when a client's legal issue does not fit neatly into one category.
Hugh Raichlin brings 40 years of legal experience to the firm. His own professional experience is distinct from the age of the practice: HRA was established in 1993. The firm has handled more than 500 divorce matters and acted in reported High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal proceedings.
The aim is not to recommend the same process for every client. The starting point is to understand your circumstances, identify the relevant issues and explain the scope of the assistance the firm can offer.
Established in 1993
Serving Johannesburg clients across family, commercial and property legal needs for over three decades.
40 years of legal experience
Hugh Raichlin graduated BA (1982), LLB (1985) at Wits, and was admitted as an attorney in 1987.
More than 500 divorce matters handled
Extensive matrimonial experience guiding individuals with care, without promising an automatic outcome.
Mediation experience alongside litigation capability.
Hugh is a certified Court-Annexed Mediator and internationally accredited mediator. He is an Associate Member of the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC and a member of the South African Association of Mediators, with international accreditation through the Society of Mediators (UK).
This allows the firm to discuss dispute-resolution options with a clear understanding of both negotiated and contested processes. A mediator's independent role is separate from an attorney's role representing one party. The appropriate appointment, conflicts and scope must be considered before work begins.
Meet the people who can help you take the next step.
Different matters call for different experience. An initial enquiry helps the firm identify the relevant attorney and whether HRA can assist.
Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
BA, LLB · University of the Witwatersrand
Hugh Raichlin is the founder and principal attorney of HRA, established in 1993. He brings 40 years of legal experience, with a practice spanning commercial litigation, property disputes, family and divorce matters, estates and mediation.
Jessica El-Hage
Attorney
LLB · University of Johannesburg
Jessica El-Hage assists individuals and businesses with family law, civil and commercial litigation, estate planning, deceased estates and trust-related matters. Her approach combines careful preparation with practical advice on the decisions facing a client.
Mpho Kutumela
Attorney
BA, LLB · University of the Witwatersrand
Mpho Kutumela is an admitted attorney at HRA. Her work includes family-law proceedings, litigation preparation, debt recovery and deceased-estate reporting, with attention to the client's needs and the practical information required to advance a matter.
Abigail Sher
Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer
LLB · University of South Africa
Abigail Sher is an attorney, notary and conveyancer at HRA. She assists with residential and commercial property transfers, notarial work, antenuptial contracts and deceased estates.
Tshepo Mohapi
Attorney & Labour Law Consultant
LLB · University of Johannesburg
Tshepo Mohapi is an attorney and labour-law consultant whose practice includes advice for employers and selected executive-level employees. He assists with workplace policies, disciplinary matters, employment disputes and restructuring processes.
Kelly Girnun
Attorney · Commercial Law
Kelly Girnun has joined HRA's commercial-law team. For commercial advice, start with an enquiry so the firm can route your matter.
Experience reflected in reported court proceedings.
The following matters illustrate aspects of the firm's property, commercial and estate litigation work. They are selected examples, not a prediction of the outcome of another client's matter.
Nach Investments (Pty) Ltd v Knight Frank South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Supreme Court of Appeal · 16 March 2001
[2001] ZASCA 13
Hugh Raichlin was the attorney of record for the successful Knight Frank party in a property-broker commission dispute. The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the decision in Knight Frank's favour, finding that the offer it produced was the effective cause of the sale and that commission was payable.
Sector Five Trading 46 (Pty) Ltd v Villa Nosa Homeowners Association
South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg · 16 October 2012
[2012] ZAGPJHC 192
HRA acted for the homeowners association in an appeal arising from four default judgments. The appeal was dismissed with costs, with additional costs awarded to the association in relation to procedural applications.
Shorkend N.O. and Others v Setton N.O. and Others
Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg · Reasons 8 September 2025
[2025] ZAGPJHC 912; Leave to Appeal [2026] ZAGPJHC 153
HRA acted for the successful applicants in deceased-estate litigation. The court ordered an executor's removal, the appointment of an independent senior legal practitioner and the return of specified estate assets. A subsequent application for leave to appeal was refused in February 2026.
Clarity at the outset; considered advice as the matter develops.
Understand the issue
We start with the facts, your immediate concern and what you need to achieve.
Explain the available routes
The appropriate approach may involve advice, document preparation, negotiation, mediation or proceedings. Scope and costs should be discussed before work is undertaken.
Bring in the relevant experience
Where a matter crosses practice areas, the enquiry can be routed to the appropriate people within the firm.
Based in Norwood. Serving Johannesburg clients across life's important matters.
Visit HRA at 1 The Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg. Consultations are usually in person, with remote arrangements possible where appropriate.