Mark Leathers

About the LawyerAbout the LawyerMark Leathers is a Director, Attorney, Conveyancer, and Notary Public at Mc Naught & Company, strategically managing and planning the legal aspects of large commercial and property projects for over 18 years. Born in Benoni in 1984, he has established himself as a dynamic legal professional in South Africa, currently serving as the director of the firm based at the Bluff office in Durban. His career is defined by a blend of traditional legal practice and innovative business development, driving growth strategies that result in increased turnover and profit while implementing organizational change to improve productivity.Based in Durban and serving clients across South Africa, Mark plays a central role in steering Mc Naught & Company’s commercial practice, with particular emphasis on complex business transactions and strategic legal planning. As sole director since 2018, he is fully accountable for the oversight of large-scale commercial mandates from inception through to finalisation, combining deep technical expertise in commercial law with a practical understanding of business operations and risk management. He regularly advises on structuring of transactions, commercial risk allocation, and enforcement strategies, positioning himself as a trusted general counsel to corporate and institutional clients.ExperienceMark Leathers began his legal journey by serving his articles of clerkship at Mc Naught & Co in July 2006. In 2010, he was admitted as an attorney, notary, and conveyancer, becoming a partner at the firm shortly thereafter. He has been a Partner at Mc Naught & Company from 2010 to the present, and assumed the role of Director in 2019. Over his 18-year tenure, he has managed the firm's growth from a small two-roomed office in Durban city centre to a decentralized legal entity with multiple offices.Since joining the firm as a candidate attorney, Mark has progressed through the roles of Attorney, Conveyancer, Notary Public, Partner, and ultimately Director. His responsibilities include strategically managing and planning the legal aspects of large commercial projects, overseeing commercial litigation portfolios, and guiding the firm’s expansion into new markets. He has spearheaded the identification of business growth opportunities and implemented development strategies that yielded substantial year-on-year increases in turnover and profitability. Under his leadership, Mc Naught & Company has expanded from its original Durban city centre office into a network of offices, including the Bluff office in Durban where he is based.Mark’s professional scope extends beyond standard litigation; he assists conveyancing software providers in formulating documents and provides advisory services to local councils on property law matters where these intersect with commercial and credit security considerations. He serves a select number of multinational clients as legal counsel, handling their commercial litigation, corporate structuring, contracts, and credit security requirements. In addition, he has contributed thought leadership to the firm’s publications on the role of attorneys in commercial law, reflecting his practical experience in navigating complex business environments.SpecialtyMark Leathers specializes in Commercial Law and General Counsel, with a deep focus on contract drafting, contract vetting, commercial dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency law, civil litigation management, and the commercial aspects of property and credit security. His work is centered on structuring and documenting business transactions, advising on risk allocation, and managing contentious matters arising from commercial relationships.In the field of commercial law, Mark’s expertise includes:

• Contract Drafting and Vetting: Preparation and review of a wide range of commercial contracts, including supply, services, distribution, shareholder, and joint venture agreements, with particular attention to enforceability, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Commercial Dispute Resolution: Management of disputes involving breach of contract, commercial negligence, business interruption, and related claims, using litigation and negotiated solutions to protect client interests.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Advising on the legal structuring of transactions, due diligence, contractual frameworks, and post-transaction integration in corporate acquisitions and restructurings.
• Insolvency and Business Rescue: Handling commercial liquidations, insolvency inquiries, and the enforcement of credit security, including the protection and realization of secured interests in complex financial structures.
• Civil Litigation for Businesses: Oversight of debt recoveries, interdicts, and damages claims arising from commercial operations, ensuring alignment between litigation strategy and business objectives.
• Credit Security and Commercial Property: Advising on credit security arrangements, guarantees, and security over commercial property, integrating conveyancing and notarial skills into broader transactional and financing structures.
• International Business, Trade, and Tax Law: Application of specialist knowledge in international shipping and export transactions, international business and trade law, and tax avoidance planning within lawful parameters, with particular emphasis on cross-border commercial arrangements.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Proficiency in AML protocols relevant to commercial transactions, financial flows, and corporate structures, ensuring that business arrangements comply with regulatory standards and global best practice.

Across these areas, Mark functions as general counsel to selected corporate and multinational clients, providing ongoing advisory services on transactional strategy, governance, contractual risk, and enforcement of rights in complex commercial settings.EducationMark Leathers holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Private Law and Credit Security, graduated from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2015. He completed his undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at UNISA in 2010, after attending various educational institutions including Nigel Primary School, Drakensberg Boys Choir School, St Alban’s College, and Hoërskool Johan Jurgens. His academic foundation was further supported by his attendance at varsity at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PUKKE).In addition to his formal degrees, he has completed multiple diploma courses in International Commercial Law, Anti-Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance, International Business, Trade, and Tax Law between 2008 and 2020. This combination of advanced degrees and specialised diplomas underpins his focus on commercial law, credit security, and international business, and informs his work on complex, cross-border commercial structures and transactions.Achievements and Recognition

• Awards: Mark Leathers received the Practice Award/Performance Rating for Corporate & Commercial (ranked #1) and was recognized in the BDI Code 2026 as an Outstanding Leader.
• Industry Rankings: Mc Naught & Co., where Mark Leathers serves as Director, is recognized by Global Law Experts, Advisory Excellence Awards, and Lawyers of Distinction.
• Leadership Roles: Mark Leathers is the Director of Mc Naught & Co. and the Chairman of the Comrades Marathon Association.
• Major Case Successes: While no specific individual case is detailed, Mark Leathers leads the firm as Director and Attorney, managing practice areas including residential real estate, land development, and construction lending.
• Contributions to Award-Winning Projects: Mark Leathers is listed as the contact for Mc Naught & Co. for the Leading Adviser Awards 2025, contributing to the firm's advisory excellence recognition; he also assists conveyancing software providers in formulating documents and providing advisory services.

No individual case details or specific project contributions beyond the above are found in the provided sources. All entries explicitly mention Mark Leathers.