Rod is a Director in the firm’s Employment Practice. In addition to being a highly experienced employment law litigator, Rod acts as a strategic advisor on employment law and industrial relations issues to many companies and on occasions, has also acted as a lead negotiator and facilitator.

Over many years he has been rated by international publications as one of the leading Employment Attorneys in South Africa. Rod is a member of the Labour Law Committee of the International Bar Association.

Rod established and headed the Employment Law Practice of Webber Wentzel and thereafter for a period headed the Employment Law Division, Johannesburg of Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs.

He has successfully dealt with thousands of cases including disputes on industry and company level strikes and disputes on many other issues. He has recently been directly involved in persuading the Labour Court to issue orders converting protected strikes into unprotected strikes. He has innovative views on remedies in response to industrial action.

Rod has been involved in more than 100 reported cases which have shaped and developed South African Employment Law. These cases have protected and developed the rights and interests of employers. Cases including Comair / DOL on the application of the Employment Equity Act, the Siemens case on restraints of trade, the Simba case on transfers of undertakings, the recent First National case on managerial misconduct and many others.

Rod has been invited to lecture at Conferences of the International Bar Association on diverse issues such as discrimination, harassment and restraints of trade. He has also lectured publicly on many occasions. His clients include major corporations, most of whom have instructed him for many years. He acts nationally for many companies. He has acted for “rock & roll” stars, leading sportsmen and represents senior executives, amongst others.

He has a developed interest in the legal and industrial relations aspects of collective bargaining, industrial action and conflict resolution. He has had extensive interactions with Unions such as NUM, NUMSA, AMCU and BCAWU. He has written articles on the subject and has given many lectures including ones given at leading universities.