Experience
Michiel Heyns obtained his LLB degree in 2008. He founded Legolex after 15 years of practising as an attorney, specialising and gaining experience in employment and labour law at a top-tier South African law firm.
During this time he advised clients across all sectors — ranging from finance, mining, and technology to agriculture and construction.
He has a passion for people and their well-being and approaches all matters with this mindset.
Michiel has extensive experience with the chairing of disciplinary hearings and performance inquiries, employee grievances, trade union negotiations, Department of Employment and Labour Inspectorate and bargaining council investigations, internal investigations and inquiries at executive level, as well as forensic investigations.
He is well-seasoned in the drafting and review of everything from employment contracts, mutual separation agreements, boardroom resolutions, forensic reports, due diligence reports, retrenchment notices to workplace policies and procedures.
He has worked on numerous cases in the Labour Court, Labour Appeal Court, High Court and Constitutional Court.
Michiel also holds a Masters degree in Afrikaans and Dutch literature and is well versed in translations.
Services
Advisory services on matters such as the employment implications of company restructurings, retrenchments, disciplinary hearings, performance inquiries, employee grievances and best practices.
Assistance with and chairing of disciplinary hearings and performance inquiries, including the preparation and vetting of charge sheets.
Conducting inquiries into workplace misconduct, such as theft, insubordination, reviewing and drafting of workplace handbooks, including disciplinary codes and procedures and grievance procedures.
Reviewing and drafting of employment agreements, such as permanent employment agreements, fixed-term employment agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
Conducting workplace audits, including employment equity reporting audits, general employment and labour compliance audits and forensic audits.
Assistance with the negotiation and the conclusion of mutual separation packages for both employers and employees.
Acting as a liaison with external legal counsel on behalf of clients as and when required.
Assisting with internal employee disputes as well as external disputes, such as CCMA and bargaining council disputes or disputes in other external dispute resolution forums.
Translation of legal documents from English to Afrikaans.