Venns Attorneys, today one of the largest law firms within the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region, had humble beginnings.
In the heart of the city of Pietermaritzburg in small offices in Timber Street, Denis Lowe opened a law firm on 1 March 1952. Three years later he was joined by Garnet Venn. In 1957, Andor Nemeth, a Hungarian refugee, was taken in by Denis as a clerk. Shortly thereafter, in 1960, Garnet Venn became a partner.
The firm’s name then changed to Denis Lowe, Venn & Co.
“Big Three”
Denis died tragically a year later at the age of 37. Eight months later Oliver Hart joined Garnet and Andor to become partners, affectionately named the “Big Three”.
It was not until 1970 that the firm’s name was changed to Venn Nemeth & Hart.
As the firm grew, it moved to premises at the Southern Life Building, and later in 1984 occupied the 7th and 8th floors of the United Building Society building on the corner of Longmarket and Buchanan Streets.
A notable move
Two years later, in a move that would solidify the firm’s identity, Venn Nemeth & Hart occupied 281 Pietermaritz Street which was to be our home for the next 34 years – close to businesses, government departments and the courts.
Following this move the firm flourished. Being in the centre of the City engendered an ethos of involvement amongst the partners at the firm, something that has become entrenched over the years. We have always had a number of partners involved in outside boards, from Community Chest and faith-based organisations, to the Legal Professions Council to the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business.
