Transforming legal  services for SMEs

Jackie Nagtegaal
Co-Founder & Director

Jackie is a qualified lawyer with 20 years’ experience rethinking how legal services are delivered. Before founding Lawyerlink, she led one of the largest alternative legal providers in South Africa, where she introduced new ways to make legal support more accessible. Her work has been recognised for its impact on innovation, technology, and dispute resolution, including being named one of the top five women in legal tech.

At Lawyerlink, she brings that same energy to creating smart, human-centred legal services for small businesses.

Qualifications:
LLB; MPhil (Cum Laude); PhD (Top Achiever Award); Key Regulatory Compliance Certifications

Willem van der Merwe
Co-Founder

Willem started his career with a background in law, which has been a strong base for his work in business and marketing. He spent several years in advertising, where he led two agencies through digital change and worked as a digital publisher. He moved into the international development sector, working on projects that aimed to make a positive impact across South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Qualifications:
BA Law (US); AI Business Strategy (MIT); Nomadic Marketing (UCT)

Carel Taljaard
Senior Partner

Carel has over 10 years of experience in alternative legal services, with a strong focus on business and product development. He is skilled at forming strategic partnerships to extend the reach of these services. As the CEO of a major legal service company, Carel is dedicated to enhancing client experiences and developing innovative commercial models that make the law more accessible and affordable.

His background in financial planning and management complements his work in creating effective models and building successful partnerships. 

Qualifications:
BComm (US)

David Silvey
Senior Commercial Solicitor

David is a seasoned commercial solicitor with over 17 years of in-house legal experience at a major global hospitality company. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in high-profile transitions—supporting the company’s shift from private equity ownership to a public listing, and eventually navigating the spin-off of three separate, publicly traded entities. After qualifying as a solicitor in 2014, David advanced to Senior Counsel for Operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where he provided strategic legal advice, spearheaded complex contract negotiations, and led initiatives in ESG, crisis management, and regulatory compliance.

As a Senior Commercial Solicitor at Lawyerlink, David uses his extensive cross-border expertise to empower SMEs with proactive, business-focused legal strategies. His background in standardising contracts, guiding organisational governance, and implementing efficient self-service tools enables entrepreneurial clients to focus on growth—knowing they have seasoned support for all their commercial and compliance needs.

Qualifications:

LLB (Hons); LPC (Distinction); Harvard 3.1 Leadership Development Program; Registered Solicitor in England & Wales (SRA 431528)

Patricia Stelmach
Commercial Solicitor

Patricia is a forward-thinking solicitor with post-qualification experience gained at DLA Piper—a top-tier global law firm—and through various in-house counsel roles. Her practice spans commercial contracts, contentious and non-contentious data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory investigations, with a special interest in intellectual property, technology, and supporting fast-growing startups. Patricia has advised FTSE100 corporations, public bodies, and high-profile individuals on complex matters, from multi-jurisdictional data protection issues to sophisticated defamation claims.

At Lawyerlink, Patricia draws on her international experience and passion for IP and emerging tech to guide SMEs in navigating today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape. Whether drafting airtight contracts, managing data privacy compliance, or offering strategic dispute resolution, she ensures innovative businesses have the robust legal foundations they need to thrive.

Qualifications:

LLB Hons; LPC MSc in Law, Business, and Management; Registered Solicitor in England & Wales (SRA 634623)

Ashrelle Parker-Belgrave
Commercial Solicitor

Ashrelle is a qualified Commercial Associate with experience at Browne Jacobson LLP, where she advised on a range of commercial, IP, and procurement matters for both private and public sector clients. Her background also includes hands-on exposure to clinical negligence, real estate, and government infrastructure work—showcasing her versatility and commitment to high-quality, client-centered service. While completing her LPC and LLM at the University of Law, she honed her advocacy, negotiation, and problem-solving skills through moots and pro bono projects.

At Lawyerlink, Ashrelle uses her strong commercial law acumen to support SMEs seeking clear, practical advice that drives growth and innovation. She is passionate about how commercial law shapes businesses and society, and her blend of large-firm rigor and pro bono ethos ensures that fast-scaling enterprises receive accessible, forward-thinking legal guidance.

Qualifications:

LLB (Hons); LPC LLM; Registered Solicitor in England & Wales (SRA 839517)

Tina Eapen
Paralegal

Tina is a forward-thinking, client-focused legal professional with experience in property, corporate, and commercial matters. She recently completed her LLM in International Financial Law at King’s College London (Merit), where her research explored the regulation of equity crowdfunding. Tina also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), giving her a strong commercial lens when advising on business transactions and contract negotiations.

Prior to joining Lawyerlink, Tina supported property matters as a paralegal at Soma Solicitors and gained hands-on corporate and commercial experience at Silk Route Legal. She has also worked on M&A and private equity deals at an investment banking firm, showcasing her ability to handle complex, cross-border transactions. Tina’s blend of legal expertise and commercial insight allows her to provide SMEs with practical, risk-aware solutions that empower them to focus on sustainable growth.

Qualifications:

LLM (International Financial Law); LLB; Bachelor of Commerce (Hons)

Richard Mather
Commercial Director

Richard is a Commercial Director and entrepreneur with over two decades of sales and marketing experience across SaaS, service, and product-based ventures. Beyond leading large-scale market expansions in EMEA and the US, he has firsthand insight into what it takes to build and grow a successful business—having founded and scaled his own company from concept to over 100 paying customers. Whether closing record-breaking deals, shaping go-to-market strategies, or nurturing high-performing teams, Richard is driven by a deep commitment to innovative, people-focused growth.

His dual perspective—both as a business owner and a strategic leader—enables him to craft commercial frameworks that address real-world challenges and opportunities facing SMEs. At Lawyerlink, Richard channels this entrepreneurial mindset into providing practical, results-oriented solutions that empower businesses to thrive in today’s fast-evolving landscape.

Charlene Brennan
Business Growth Manager

Charlene has a passion for reshaping how businesses access legal support. After beginning her career as a solicitor, she saw firsthand how the traditional legal model often left SMEs under protected. Charlene completed her LLB (Hons) at Nottingham Trent University and her LPC at Nottingham Law School prior to moving into private practice.

Eager to make a more meaningful impact, Charlene transitioned into business development roles, applying her legal expertise to help companies grow while simultaneously addressing their commercial risks. She has previously led high-performing sales and growth initiatives at Quandoo and then moved into broader commercial growth projects at Deliveroo.

At Lawyerlink, Charlene unites her legal background and strategic insight to champion accessible, proactive services for SMEs. She’s driven by the belief that strong business relationships, transparent pricing, and forward-thinking legal advice are the keys to empowering entrepreneurs and delivering the protection they deserve.

Qualifications:

LLB (Hons); LPC

Sandiswa Tsapa
Client Relationship Manager

Sandiswa is an experienced Relationship Manager with over a decade in the legal field, initially serving as a Legal Assistant and later as a Paralegal. She holds a National Diploma in Paralegal Studies and honed her expertise at a large legal firm, where she supported teams across multiple practice areas. Beyond her legal work, Sandiswa also acted as a Training Coordinator, guiding and mentoring emerging talent.

At Lawyerlink, Sandiswa’s passion for connecting with business owners drives her dedication to providing accessible, supportive, and solutions-oriented service. Drawing on her broad legal exposure and mentoring experience, she ensures SMEs receive the tailored guidance and peace of mind they need to focus on growth and success.

Qualifications:

National Diploma in Paralegal Studies

Christopher Sefali
Client Relationship Manager

Christopher is a dedicated Client Experience professional who began his career as a Legal Assistant and gradually shifted his focus to supporting clients more directly. He holds a National Certificate in Paralegal Studies and has built a reputation for bridging the gap between legal expertise and client needs. Christopher’s passion lies in ensuring that every client receives practical, forward-thinking guidance tailored to their business objectives.

At Lawyerlink, Christopher draws on his paralegal background and client-focused outlook to deliver an exceptional service experience. Whether clarifying service flows or streamlining communication, his goal is to help SMEs succeed by making legal solutions accessible, transparent, and truly supportive.

Qualifications:

National Certificate in Paralegal Studies