AKEMN was founded on the 23^rd of MARCH 1963 by Kader Hassim, also known as A.K. Essack.

During the founding years, harsh apartheid laws ruled the country and as a result, Essack was convicted of high treason and imprisoned on Robben Island. He was incarcerated for eight years, which he spent with other pioneers of the new South Africa, including former president Nelson Mandela.

From it’s inception, the firm has stood for, actively advocated and strived for a non-racial democracy and the elimination of

discriminatory laws. From the early sixties, the firm has defended those people who were active opponents and victims of undemocratic laws. Despite the constricting and harsh apartheid laws, the firm flourished due to its persistence in serving those who were unfairly treated. Over 60 years of growth, A.K. Essack, Morgan Naidoo and Company has transformed from a small one-attorney firm into one of the largest firms of black attorneys in Pietermaritzburg.

In 1971, Morgan Naidoo assumed control of the firm as sole proprietor. Naidoo upheld the firm’s principles and in keeping with the consistent growth of the A.K. Essack, Morgan Naidoo and Company offers a vast combination of legal services and solutions to a diversity of clientele, within and outside KwaZulu-Natal.

The firm is situated in the heart of the Pietermaritzburg central business district, opposite the Deeds Registry and in close proximity to the Magistrate’s Court, High Court and Deeds Office, making it the ideal location by ensuring a convenient, sophisticated yet comfortable environment for clients.

The firm has a passionate, dedicated and talented staff of people – four of whom are partners, three professional assistants and 16 support staff. The firm’s support staff ranges from conveyancing and litigation secretaries to internal accountants and messengers.

The family-like atmosphere that the firm exudes provides a particular advantage over other firms in that the overwhelming majority of non-professional staff have been with the firm for over 25 years. The longest serving staff member having been employed for 43 years. 

A.K. Essack, Morgan Naidoo and Company has become well-known for its family, personal approach to its staff and clients.  The collective experience of the employees exceeds 150 years of legal expertise. The long-standing association allows the firm to consistently provide the highest level of service from a committed, qualified team. The “office family”, which has been born of this old alliance, also allows the firm to provide a personal touch to any work undertaken and ensures that any communication with the firm is direct and transparent.

The staff have also had the benefit of years of focused experience, as well as instructional training, as the firm offers in-house training and regularly arranges for various staff members to attend training sessions and workshops on specific aspects. This ensures that the firm is constantly updated with new developments with respect to the practice of law.

In keeping with the firm’s founding ideals, the firm’s unwavering support of employment equity has ensured that every employee may be classified as a historically disadvantaged individual, with the overwhelming majority of staff being female. From a BEE perspective, the firm is rated as a level one contributor with 110% procurement recognition.