UKZN Alumnus has the Recipe for Success

BY: .

UKZN Law graduate Ms Amy Harpur is enjoying success in the field of mining law.

Harpur’s passion for law, combined with her legal skills obtained while completing her LLB degree, secured her the position of Associate Partner in Shepstone and Wylie’s Mining, Minerals and Energy Department and International Trade and Transport (ITT). 

Harpur, who graduated Cum Laude in 2009, was promoted to her position in March this year  after joining the firm’s Litigation department in 2011, and moved to the Mining and ITT department in 2012. Her passion for law was sparked when she took legal studies as an elective during the course of her Bachelor of Social Science degree from UKZN. 

Although this is a specialised field, Harpur is confident that her passion for law, mentorship from her colleagues and educational grounding will guarantee her success.

‘Since I did not study either Mining law or ITT at university, it’s been a process of continuous study and learning from the partners in my firm who have been involved in the respective fields for years. It is a privilege to be a part of a firm that is renowned for its legal expertise. 

‘Studying hard at university is the best foundation a student can give themselves before entering the legal profession and my qualification from UKZN is crucial to my job. I rely on the fundamental skills I was taught in my degree every single day,’ said Harpur. 

Harpur’s new position involves drafting mining and ITT-related contracts, providing clients with advice relating to all aspects of mining and ITT law, as well as litigating on behalf of clients in the High Courts and travelling to the country’s mines which is an added bonus. 

‘Because our mining clients are predominantly based in Johannesburg, my job involves frequent travelling to Johannesburg, and occasional visits to our clients’ mines. Recently, I was lucky enough to be invited to visit our client’s mine in Kuruman in the Northern Cape. We travelled by chartered plane to Kuruman, where we were then flown in a helicopter around the mine which was a novel experience for me,’ said Harpur. 

Looking to the future,  Harpur hopes to continue her practice as an attorney and looks forward to tackling the interesting legal questions that come her way

-          Thandiwe Jumo