The Webbers legacy started in 1906 when Fred S. Webber established the firm in Bloemfontein. He was the brother of the founder of the Johannesburg firm Webber Wentzel. His son, Walter S. Webber, joined the firm as an articled clerk in 1945 and became a partner in 1949 – the first partner taken in by the founder since 1906. The name of the firm was changed to Fred S. Webber & Son. Jim Newdigate joined them in 1952 and became a partner in 1958. Fred S. Webber retired from practice in 1962 shortly before his 83rd birthday and lived a further 10 years.

The name of the firm was changed to Webber & Newdigate in 1971. Walter Webber retired as a partner in 1980. Meanwhile the six existing partners came on board, namely Dave Samuel in 1976, Colin Cilliers in 1981, Daan Roberts in 1982, Denis Molyneaux in 1984, James Grundlingh in 1997 and Francois van Pletzen in 2000. In 1986, at the suggestion of Jim Newdigate, the name of the firm was changed to “Webbers”. Jim retired as partner in 1993 and presently resides in Newlands, Cape Town.

A sister-firm, Webber Newdigate, opened its doors in Maseru, Lesotho, in 1978 and is today the biggest attorneys’ practice in Lesotho. For more information, click on the Lesotho link above.

Front: Colin Cilliers, Dave Samuel, Daan Roberts
Back: Denis Molyneaux, Francois van Pletzen, James Grundlingh