Page 9 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Susan Abro

Attorney and Sole Proprietor, Advice Desk for Abused Women and the rest flowed from Her firm was named South African Boutique Family Law
Susan Abro Attorney there.” Her work with the Open Door Crisis Centre, KZN Firm of the Year (2017) by Corporate Global International
Women in Business, the Democratic Alliance Women’s Awards, and she was honoured as Professional Business-
Network (DAWN), Afrika Tikkun and the Robin Hood woman of the Year by BWASA. In 2024, she was a finalist
usan Abro is a seasoned attorney with a Foundation reflects her deep belief in promoting gender in the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards, recognition that
S career spanning over 35 years. In 1995, she equality and supporting vulnerable women and children. highlights her influence and integrity within both

founded her own legal practice, Susan Abro professional and community spheres. She has also
Attorney, specialising in family law. Running her own practice proved liberating. “I’m the received recognition from her alma mater, St Anne’s.
one who sets my own fee targets,” she said. “I can do pro
Reflecting on the evolution of her field, Susan said, “It’s bono work whenever I want to. You set your own rules.” A significant challenge came in 2009 when she was
been a very interesting progression. For example, we diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye
only joined the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Her ambitions have evolved. “My biggest dream changes disease. “I only have peripheral vision now,” she said. “I
Children in 1994. Family law changes quickly because of all the time,” she admitted. “I started off wanting to be stopped driving in 2016. Thank goodness for Uber and
issues such as surrogacy and same-sex marriage. As life a partner in a big practice. Then I opened my own firm. my wonderful staff.” Susan approaches her condition
and science change, so family law has to change.” Thirty years later, I’m still here. My reality is to help people. with courage and humour. “Losing your vision is difficult,
That’s what I’m about.” but it’s something you can overcome,” she said. “I’m lucky
Her work covers a range of matters. “Basically, I deal with because I have my own business. In a big corporate, you
issues from cradle to grave,” she said. “I do a lot of divorce Throughout her career, Susan has been inspired by might not find the same understanding.”
work, but that includes financial issues and children, remarkable women. “Judge Navi Pillay was one of my great
that’s my passion – looking after children. I’ve also been inspirations,” she said. “She became one of the first judges Susan’s advice to young professionals is heartfelt. “If your
involved in protecting women from domestic violence of the International Criminal Court and later head of the passion is law, find what your passion is within law. Don’t
and assisting them to protect themselves.” UN Human Rights Council. I travelled with her to Germany be put in a box. Find mentors and ask them for help –
for the launch of the Human Rights Prosecutor School.” you’d be surprised how many people are happy to give
Susan’s leadership has earned her international recog- advice. And never burn your bridges.”
nition as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family She also mentioned mentors such as the late Professor She also encourages women to network. “Find women’s
Lawyers (IAFL) and a former committee member of the Anshu Padayachee, Pat Moodley from the Department organisations. Women network differently from men –
International Bar Association (IBA). of Justice, current Judge President Toba and business-
woman Cindy Norcott. with empathy and a desire to help each other.”
FINDING HER PATH LOOKING AHEAD
IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Susan grew up on a farm, where she learned to respect Susan’s family has a legacy of long and fulfilling lives. “My
everyone. She commented, “These are values that have Over the years, Susan has made significant contributions mother and grandmother both worked until they were
stayed with me my whole life.” professionally and within her community. She has served 86,” she laughed. “I can tell you right now, I’m not going
as president of the Jewish community, co-chairperson of to work till I’m 86.” Retirement, however, is not imminent.
When asked how she chose family law, she smiled. “It sort the Law Society of South Africa, and first woman vice-
“I love what I’m doing, but I do want to travel more and
of chose me.” She began her career at a large Durban president of the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society. do more NGO work. My goal is to see a few clients a
firm, completing her articles in an all-male environment. month and spend the rest of my time helping others.”
“It was a wonderful experience because I had incredible Her leadership extends beyond law. She has been a
training, but they were merging with another firm that council member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce To maintain balance, Susan prioritises health and relation-
didn’t want any women.” and Industry and chair of the Durban Chapter of the ships. “People tell you to manage your stress – good luck
Business Women’s Association of South Africa (BWASA), with that,” she joked. “I have a personal trainer who comes
After completing her articles, she joined Woodhead, championing women’s advancement in business and to my office, and I exercise with my staff. Friends are the
Bigby and Irving, one of Durban’s top firms. “I became a leadership. family you choose, and my family is very close-knit.”
partner in my first year there,” she recalled. “But I’m very
independent and realised I wouldn’t fit into the huge Among her proudest achievements is serving as an She is also a member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an
corporate world.” acting judge of the High Court in Durban. “It gives you international gastronomic society. “It’s an organisation
the view from the other side of the bench,” she said, “but I for the enjoyment of the table,” she said. “We do a lot of
Five years later she opened her own practice. “I left on like working with people, so it wasn’t something I wanted good eating and drinking. I’ve always had an interest in
very good terms,” she said. “Then I got involved with the to do permanently.” wine – that’s my idea of fun.”

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