Douw Gerbrand Breed

About Douw

Douw is a trailblazing figure in the South African legal industry, serving as the head of business development and visionary leader at Barnard, one of the fastest-growing commercial and litigation practices in the country. With a dynamic team of directors, associates, and support staff, Douw is leading the charge to position Barnard as the go-to legal services provider in South Africa. At the helm of the firm’s ambitious expansion efforts, Douw is focused on expanding Barnard’s client base and service offerings while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and value. His efforts have been recognised not just in South Africa, but globally, as he currently serves as the President of the International Commercial Law Alliance (ICLA), a prestigious strategic group of law firms from around the world. Douw is a multifaceted practitioner of commercial law and corporate litigation, with a wealth of experience in various fields. He has established invaluable commercial relationships with clients across a wide range of industries, earning him recognition from The Best Lawyers, the leading international peer-review body, for his work in Competition/Antitrust Law. Despite his impressive achievements, Douw remains grounded and dedicated to his craft. He obtained his BCom and LLB degrees from North West University and was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2009. His journey to leadership at Barnard began when he applied for a position as an Associate, seeking to broaden his knowledge and experience. In 2012, Douw and fellow associate, Gerhard Truter, acquired the firm, marking the beginning of a new era of growth and success for Barnard.

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