Page 197 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

DAVID WARMBACK

avid Warmback, an equity partner at and lease agreements, shareholder agreements, POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys, was born in property sales, joint ventures, and more. “My
Durban and grew up in Kloof. “I went to Kloof specialty is property-related commercial work,” he David reflects on the challenges he has faced,
D Junior School and then Kloof Senior Primary notes, adding that he spent about 12 years in the noting that no specific event stands out, but he
School,” he recalls. “We then moved to Westville, firm’s property services and conveyancing depart- identifies time management as one of the most
and I completed my high school at Westville Boys’ ment before moving to the commercial department difficult aspects of his profession including making
High from 1972 to 1978.” After high school, David in 1999. provision for home time. “In a busy legal practice,
attended the then University of Natal, where he you’re dealing with many clients and many matters
initially enrolled for a bachelor of arts in subjects His responsibilities also include providing leadership at once. There are often tight deadlines, large
with a focus on a teaching degree. input, marketing, and training for junior staff. “It’s a transactions that need to be closed quickly, and
varied role, but one that I find very fulfilling,” he says. multiple parties involved.”
However, towards the end of his BA, David felt
teaching was not for him. “I had a teaching loan, David’s proudest accomplishment is not directly He acknowledges that managing client expec-
which was useful, but I realised I could pay it back related to his legal career, although he has been tations and workflow is an ongoing challenge. “It’s
by working and could use that to sponsor legal involved in several notable projects during his 37 not something you can fully overcome; it’s just an
studies instead,” he explains. He decided to pursue years in law. He was appointed as the Honorary ongoing problem not only in the legal field but in
a bachelor of laws. “Because I hadn’t done any British Consul for KwaZulu-Natal 13 years ago, a any business,” he says.
law credits in my BA, I had to enrol in a three-year position that he has held alongside his legal work,
LLB programme, on top of the two years already which he has found rewarding. David believes in recognising performance and
completed.” His final years at university were marked providing positive feedback to keep his team
by personal tragedy. “My dad died unexpectedly at “At the end of last year, I was featured in King Charles motivated. “Communication is key,” he asserts.
the age of 50,” he shares, “which put quite a strain III 2024 New Year’s Honours list and awarded an “You need to encourage teamwork and ensure
on the family.” However, David managed to finish MBE for my services assisting British nationals in that everyone is working towards common goals.”
his studies in five years, and after national service, South Africa. Receiving the honour was definitely He emphasises the importance of promoting well-
he began looking for a position in law. a highlight,” he says. He is still to receive the award performing staff and continuously looking for
formally, having been given a few dates during the new opportunities. “We are always targeting new
However, David’s first job wasn’t in law. “If you’re coming winter season, but is waiting to receive clients and maintaining our marketing efforts,”
looking at informal jobs, my first job was at age 16 further dates for Spring and Summer of 2025 for the he adds.
as a cashier at Checkers in Overport City,” he re- investiture. “It is quite exciting,” he adds.
counts, “I was keen to start earning some pocket TAKE SMALL STEPS
money.” He did this job, which he said was quite David believes the best advice he has ever received
hard work, for some time before moving into his is to ‘never stop learning’. He emphasises that this is David acknowledges the tough times that bus-
formal legal career. particularly important in his profession. “The law is inesses in KwaZulu-Natal have faced over the past
always changing, not just through new legislation, few years. “We’ve had Covid-19, floods, political
David began his career at Shepstone & Wylie but through court judgments that create new legal unrest, infrastructure challenges, and low growth
in 1987. “I started as what was then called an precedents,” he advises. “You have to keep up with rates,” he says. However, he remains hopeful.
articled clerk,” he explains. Over time, David pro- these changes and also learn about the business “Following the recent election, there is hope that
gressed through the ranks and is now one of the of different clients to properly draft commercial political will can create a business- and investor-
two senior equity partners in the corporate and agreements.” friendly environment in the country, particularly
commercial department. “We have a team of eleven in KwaZulu-Natal.”
professionals, including one who practises remotely He stresses the importance of learning about
in Johannesburg.” people and how to interact with them effectively. He thinks that addressing these challenges can
“You’re always learning about human nature and help the business environment to become more
A FULFILLING ROLE relationships,” he says. positive, enabling the economy to recover and
creating the jobs that are so needed.
David describes his current role as providing David is inspired by Roger Federer. “He is a fab-
corporate and commercial legal services to the firm’s ulous sportsman with an unbelievably long “For most people, things don’t happen overnight,”
clients. “I give advice, seek solutions, negotiate and career, an incredible record of achievements, a he says. “You’ve got to keep going, keep pushing,
draft various commercial agreements,” he explains. great work ethic, and a role model to so many,” he and over time, with perseverance, you will achieve
These include mergers and acquisitions, sales says. “And, above all, he is a really nice person.” your goals and dreams.”
195