Our Story

At FRIEDMAN SCHECKTER, our story begins with a friendship that has stood the test of time. Gerald Friedman and Mick Scheckter have known each other since kindergarten, and their shared journey has evolved into a partnership built on trust, expertise, and a hands-on approach to law.

Founded on the belief that the right combination of skills can achieve great things, FRIEDMAN SCHECKTER is a law firm where experience meets dedication. Today, Gerald Friedman leads as Senior Partner, with Mick Scheckter offering his invaluable insights as a Consultant, and Romana Knuth specializing as our Conveyancing Partner. Together with our skilled support staff of 12, we form a dynamic team that is deeply committed to our clients.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and versatile, carrying on a general practice that covers most fields of law. Our clients include Organizations, Businesses, Financial Institutions, Government Agencies, and individuals. No matter the size or scope of the case, we provide tailored legal solutions with a personal touch.

About Us

As a diverse and specialised team of highly skilled professionals, we commit ourselves to provide our clients with a service of the highest quality.

Each of our Departments is overseen by one of our Partners who are Experts in their particular field of law.

Meet The Team

Gerald Friendman

Senior Partner

Qualifications:
Dip.Law

LLB

Focus Areas:

Commercial High Court Litigation

Gerald graduated from the University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) in 1978. He completed his articles with Kaplan Loon Solomons & Blumberg and was admitted as an attorney in March 1982.

Gerald worked in a law firm specializing in International Banking in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in 1982, completing the requisite conversion subjects for the American Bar.

From mid-1983 to 1985, he practised in partnership as Price Soni & Friedman and from 1986 to 1989, in partnership with his wife, Bev, as Friedman & Friedman.

Thereafter, he joined his erstwhile Principal, Ruven Kaplan, and practised from 1989 to 2000 as Kaplan Blumberg Friedman Scheckter and thereafter as Friedman Scheckter. Michael Scheckter and Gerald have been friends since nursery school in 1956.

Gerald specializes as a Commercial High Court Litigant and has been appearing in the High Court and on a number of occasions, in the Supreme Court of Appeal, since 1994.

He is a keen cyclist and can be seen most mornings riding with his long suffering cycling group at 5am, summer and winter.

Mick Scheckter

Consultant

Qualifications:
B. JURIS

LLB

Focus Areas:

Litigation with particular emphasis on insurance law, family law, insolvency law, deceased Estates and Trusts.

After graduating at the University of Port Elizabeth (Now NMMU) Mick completed articles at the then Kaplan Loon Solomons & Blumberg, where he was admitted as a partner in 1983.

After a rearrangement of partners he then practised as Kaplan Blumberg Friedman Scheckter until 2001, when he commenced practising as Friedman Scheckter with his lifelong friend, whom he had met at Nursery School, Gerald Friedman and Romana Knuth.

Since he qualified Mick has practised in Gqeberha, acting for such companies as, inter alia, Stannic, Road Accident Fund and various Municipalities.

Mick has been married to Stephanie, who is still the first Mrs Scheckter whom he married whilst still a student at UPE. Their son, Jonathan lives in London and their daughter Robyn, previously of London, now lives in Durban.

Mick is a confirmed hophead (lover of fine beer) and enjoys TV sport, walking the ocean and the bush (as well as his wife's splendid culinary delights, served with regularity).

Romana Knuth

Conveyancing Partner

Qualifications:
LL.B [Cum Laude]

B.Juris [Cum Laude]

B.Comm

Focus Areas:

Property Law

Romana's career path started in Commerce at NMU. In her second year, she was told by members of the Law Faculty that she missed her calling and she should rather study law. She decided to finish what she started first and graduated in 1984 with B.Comm, majoring in Industrial Psychology and Business Economics.

In 1985, she enrolled with the Law Faculty and 2 years later, was awarded a B Juris Cum Laude. In 1988, she obtained her LL.B degree from UCT on the Dean's Merit List. After traveling abroad, she commenced her articles with Gordon Solomons Attorneys and on admission as an Attorney at the beginning of 1992, was made partner.

To adding additional strings to her bow, Romana qualified as a Conveyancer and started a long-standing love affair with Property Law.

In 1999, a career shift saw her focus move to insolvencies and liquidations, where she practised as a Trustee and Liquidator. In 2000, she also joined Friedman Scheckter as a partner, practising liquidation and property law in tandem. The property boom saw her return to her true love, in which she continues to specialise.

Romana sees her greatest attributes as a Legal Practitioner as being able to put her expertise and experience to best use to find a practical and expedient solution. By nature, she is a problem solver, intent on finding a win-win, fair and equitable solution.

As a service to the community, Romana has been doing duties as a Commissioner in the Small Claims Court since 2004. Her most recent community service has been to participate in a training program in partnership with EC Midlands College, giving recently qualified students on-the-job-training in the working world, sharing her vast knowledge of property law and giving them practical, hands-on experience.

Out of the office, Romana loves to socialise, eat out, watch movies, read, play bridge and has a standing date every Thursday night with her quiz team. Although she loves to travel, she loves coming home, where she is happiest. Her greatest personal accomplishment is her lovely daughter, Jessica, and the new love of her life, her grandson, Noah.

BHP_Friedman_Scheckter(87) (1)_edited.jp

Michael Ignatius Ferreira

Senior Associate Attorney

Qualifications:

LL.B

Post Graduate Diploma in Risk and Compliance Management (cum laude)

Focus Areas:

Personal Injury Litigation

Road Accident Fund Litigation

General Civil Litigation

Michael is a dedicated legal professional with a passion for advocating on behalf of those who have been unjustly injured.

Graduating from Nelson Mandela University in 2013 marked the beginning of his journey in the legal field. Following his graduation, he embarked on his articles of clerkship with Friedman Scheckter in 2014, where he developed his skills and gained invaluable experience.

Michael proudly attained admission as an attorney in February 2016, marking a significant milestone in his career. Since then, he has remained with Friedman Scheckter, where he currently serves as a Senior Associate Attorney.

With a decade of experience under his belt, he specializes in personal injury and Road Accident Fund litigation, while also handling general litigation matters.

Beyond the courtroom, Michael is passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Staying fit is not just a hobby for him ; it's a way of life. He can often be found at the gym, where he pushes himself physically and mentally, embracing the discipline and dedication required to excel both in and out of the legal arena.

Additionally, Michael is expanding his horizons by pursuing an MBA degree, reflecting his commitment to continuous growth and professional development.