Abigail Carol Butcher

About Abigail

Asma Cachalia is a Director in the Employment Law practice at Thomson Wilks, with a strong focus on collective labour law. She advises both local and multinational clients across various sectors including transport, mining, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and retail. With a strategic and solutions-driven approach, Asma provides guidance on a broad range of employment law matters, from day-to-day HR advisory to complex litigation and workforce planning. Her experience includes: Representing employers before the CCMA, Bargaining Councils, Labour Court, Labour Appeal Court, and Constitutional Court Advising on industrial action and strike management Conducting workplace investigations and disciplinary processes Managing business restructures, transfers, and retrenchments Providing legal support on mergers, acquisitions, and employment due diligence Drafting employment contracts, workplace policies, and compliance frameworks Preparing variation and exemption applications Delivering training on key employment law issues Asma began her career at a boutique firm in Mbombela and later joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc., where she rose from Associate to Director between 2020 and 2024. She joined Thomson Wilks as a Director in early 2025. Asma partners with clients to navigate evolving employment landscapes and deliver legally sound, commercially viable solutions.

Practice Areas

Professional Details