They say beer isn’t the answer, it’s the question. Yes is the answer. And whoever ‘they’ are, also said one should drink good beer with good friends. Well, in the case of Barnard Inc Senior Associate, Johan du Toit, he’s the good friend who supplies all the good beer too! The multi-talented Johan isn’t just a keen craft beer brewer, he also plays guitar (self-taught), completed two Comrades Marathons and is an excellent chef. He’s also one of the finest commercial law attorneys in South Africa to boot. Chuck Norris, step aside!
Johan comes from humble beginnings. He grew up in Thabazimbi, in the middle of the bushveld. “We spent our days running around barefoot all day over bushveld thorns and melted tar without flinching. We also played a lot of sports to keep ourselves busy,” he explains. “There wasn’t a lot else to do, as it was before the time of the internet and cell phones.” In fact, Thabazimbi got its first takeaway food restaurant only after he had already left school.
Johan’s parents taught him to treat all people with equal respect and that everyone deserves a fair chance. “I want to contribute towards a time in South Africa where people of all backgrounds, races and genders can live together as true equals and in harmony with each other, governed by a Government that is value-driven and without corruption.” It’s perhaps this sense of optimism, fairness and justice – and the fact that his father studied law – that led Johan to become an attorney. “It fascinated me whenever my father spoke in Latin.”
Currently the Head of Department for Contractual, Rental and Delictual Litigation, Johan deals mainly with contractual recoveries and disputes, residential and commercial property collections and disputes, and delictual litigation. Added to that, he has over 10 years of experience in short-term insurance litigation. “To work at a law firm in Pretoria that is value-driven and has a clear vision and strategy is refreshing, to say the least.”
When our go-getter, overachieving lawyer is not crafting excellent outcomes for his clients, you’ll find him spending quality time with his wife and daughter, listening to old school Rock ‘n’ Roll or perfecting his next beer to pair with his famous ‘skaaptjop’ braai recipe. One of Johan’s favourite musicians, Bruce Springsteen said, “A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be.” Clearly, Johan has been paying attention.
