Meet Our
A Team
About our Attorneys
Qualified Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public Sarah Araujo is the driving force behind Araujo Attorneys having established the firm in 2009 and remaining at the helm together with fellow Directors Ralph Schroder, Stephanie Lopes and Daniela Boonzaier.
One of the keys to our success is our team’s passion for service, taking the time to understand our clients’ needs, keeping it personal and combining this with high professional standards.
Originally located in Umhlanga, our team has grown steadily over the years and we now have offices located in Umhlanga, Ballito and the KwaZulu Natal Midlands.
Director
Sarah Araujo
Sarah is a qualified Attorney, Conveyancer, and Notary Public. Having studied law at Stellenbosch University and completing her articles locally Sarah went on to become a director of a 100 year old law firm in Durban. Wanting to embrace new technology and systems to streamline the conveyancing process whilst keeping up a personal service to her clients, Sarah followed her dream in 2009 of creating a boutique law firm —Araujo Attorneys. She has a passion for people and providing a level of service that is seen as exceptional in her industry. Sarah is married to Marco and they live in La Lucia with their three boys, Cruz, Dominic and Luco.
Director
Ralph Schröder
Ralph is a Director at Araujo Attorneys and joined the firm in 2012 to focus on conveyancing. In early 2016 Ralph opened the Ballito branch of Araujo Attorneys having identified the North Coast as an exciting growth area. Ralph is held in very high esteem by clients and colleagues alike. His diplomacy, caring nature, and strong ethics and morals means his work is of an impeccable standard and he wins over everyone he meets. Ralph lives in Ballito with his wife, Cornelia, and daughters, Emily and Ava.
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Director
Stephanie Lopes
Stephanie is a qualified Attorney, Conveyancer, Notary Public and Director at Araujo Attorneys. Since she joined in 2013, Stephanie strives to surpass clients’ expectations through good communication, efficiency and attention to detail. She is an avid mountain biker and has a great love for the outdoors. Steph lives with her husband, Miguel, and daughters Sophia and Harper, in Durban North and is responsible for quality control of all documents leaving our Umhlanga branch before they are lodged in the deeds office.
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Director
Daniela Boonzaier
Daniela is a Director at Araujo Attorneys who specialised in commercial contract law before joining Araujo Attorneys to pursue a career in Conveyancing. Daniela brings a host of commercial and contractual knowledge and understanding to the matters that she deals with. She is an enthusiastic and charismatic person with a zest for people and life. When she’s not transferring properties in record time, you can find her whipping up a delicious meal, socialising with friends or running on the promenade. Daniela lives in Umhlanga with her husband, Chaunce, and their daughter and son.
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Chartered Accountant
Marco Araujo
Marco is a qualified Chartered Accountant and graduated from the University of KZN Summa Cum Laude. He completed his articles in Durban and worked internationally in London and Bermuda. Before joining Araujo Attorneys in a full time capacity he was the Financial Director of the JSE listed company Trellidor. Marco brings to the firm a wealth of business experience and financial knowledge that has been beneficial both internally to the firm as well as to our clients, particularly in the areas of deal structuring, capital gains tax and forex issues related to foreign buyers & sellers.
Senior Associate
Shannon Briggs
Shan has followed her family tradition and is a fourth-generation qualified Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public, who has prior experience working closely with the PMB Deeds Office. She also has a Business Science degree from the University of Cape Town but her passion for property law persuaded her into a legal career. Outside of the office, Shan enjoys baking, running and trying out new restaurants. Her most important values include faith, family and fun! Shannon lives in Mount Edgecombe with her husband Craig.
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Senior Associate
Sharleen Sanassyi
Sharleen is a qualified Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public who graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg. She went on to serve her Articles of Clerkship at a prominent law firm in Pietermaritzburg where she had first-hand experience in lodging matters at the Deeds Office. Sharleen is a hardworking, determined, enthusiastic, young woman. Sharleen lives in Ballito and enjoys the beach, volunteering at the local SPCA and socialising. Sharleen is married to Sachin.
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Senior Associate
Monique Gresse
Monique is a qualified Attorney who graduated from the University of Stellenbosch. She specialises in Conveyancing but has gained experience in a variety of areas of practice. Her litigation background assists her to foresee possible disputes, avoiding same and ensuring on-time delivery in the Conveyancing department. Monique’s passion is people and she believes that the “human element” is the most important business resource. Monique lives in Ballito with her husband Andre, daughter Milan and son Eli. During her free time she loves surfing, playing golf and spending time with her family. Her most important values are Integrity, family and faith.
Associate
Yalsha Singh
Yalsha is a qualified Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public at Araujo Attorneys, and forms an integral part of our Ballito team. She completed her LLB Degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban and was a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Before joining Araujo Attorneys, she worked at a property law firm in Pietermaritzburg, gaining extensive knowledge and experience at the Deeds Office. Yalsha has a passion for conveyancing, and is motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working. Yalsha lives in Ballito with her husband, Haveer and enjoys going to the movies, running on the promenade with her husband and spending quality time with family.
Associate
Serina Naidoo
Serina is a fully qualified attorney with extensive knowledge and experience in property. Prior to joining the team at Araujo Attorneys Serina worked in one of the top real estate companies in South Africa. Her previous property experience, academic achievements and can-do attitude make Serina a very valuable member of the team. Serina describes herself as an ambitious person who loves God, life and her family. Serina lives in Umhlanga with her husband, Sylvester and daughter Eden.
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Attorney
Lauren d'Offay
Lauren is a qualified attorney based at our branch in the KZN Midlands. Lauren graduated with her LLB degree from Stellenbosch University and specialised in property law almost immediately. Lauren handles property transfers from start to finish for all our clients that are based in JHB, Cape Town and Pretoria (and elsewhere in the country) as well as transfers in and around the Natal Midlands.
Lauren will always go the extra mile for her clients and she is highly respected and loved by both her colleagues and her clients alike.
Attorney
Gabriella Latham
Gabriella graduated with a BA Law and LLB degree from the University of Pretoria and was a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. She completed her degree with distinction and received the South African Society for Labour Law Prize for best student in Labour Law for her year. But Gaby’s interests lie in deceased estates and property law. Before joining Araujo Attorneys, Gabriella gained knowledge and insight into the winding up of estates at another prominent Durban Law firm. Gabriella handles property transfers from start to finish for all our clients that are based in Cape Town as well as transfers in and around KZN. Gabriella lives in Umhlanga and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family.
Candidate Attorney
Qiniso Msimang
Qiniso Msimang completed a Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Bachelor of Laws at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College).Qiniso, known as Q in the office, is bilingual in isiZulu and English and can assist clients across the country in both languages. During her university years Q was the worthy recipient of a bursary from the YES Trust and remains involved with this wonderful NPO. Q is instrumental in liaising with the rates department to ensure all our property transfers receive their rates clearance in time to ensure swift and efficient service to our clients. During her free time Qiniso enjoys reading, swimming and cooking. Her biggest values are integrity, compassion, faith and kindness with which she serves all her clients.
Consultant
Mike Nolan
Mike joined the #ATeam in 2023 as a Consultant with over 40 years’ experience as an Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public. He specialises in commercial law, property law, wills, trusts, estate planning, property developments, offshore structuring and finance, cross-border transactions and international law. Mike is a qualified attorney, conveyancer and notary public as well as a registered Mediator. Mike has been instrumental in establishing the Wills and Estates department here at Araujo Attorneys and he serves all his clients with empathy, efficiency and care.
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