About Us

David Whatman started his career in law in 1977 as a trainee Magistrate, then Magistrate and Senior Magistrate, leaving the Ministry of Justice at the end of 1986 as a Provincial Magistrate. He obtained his Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the University of Zimbabwe in 1981 and has been a registered legal practitioner, conveyancer and Notary Public since 1985. He spent two years as a partner in a legal firm before joining commerce with the Nedlaw Group in 1988.

He held a number of General Manager and then Managing Director posts within the manufacturing businesses in that Group and then joined Deloitte & Touché Management Consultants as Principal management consultant, where he gathered valuable experience in accounting, tax and corporate finance matters.

He was then Managing Director of Tedco Industries for two years before joining Pelhams Limited as Chief Operating Officer, then Chief Executive and a significant shareholder for 13 years. In that period, the company grew from 8 stores to become Zimbabwe’s largest furniture retailer, listing it on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange with over 40 stores. He was then promoted to Group Chief Executive of the new Group holding company with responsibility for some 22 retail, construction, insurance and manufacturing companies/investments of that Group. In May 2009, he joined a regional civil construction business as Group Chief Executive Officer, before spending some time as a consultant to a number of companies, whilst also conducting commercial arbitration appointments.

In July 2014, David returned to full-time legal practice as a partner in an established firm and headed the corporate advisory side of that practice. David’s focus is on acquisitions, mergers, transaction structuring, investments, shareholder disputes, separations and dissolution as well as bespoke commercial work, meeting the individual needs of specialised transactions and agreements.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a member of the panels of arbitrators of the ICC [International Chamber of Commerce and International Court of Arbitration], AFSA  Internatonal Panel [Arbitration Foundation of South Africa] and the Zimbabwe Commercial Arbitration Centre.

He is the former founding Chairman of Ecobank Zimbabwe Holdings and Ecobank Zimbabwe Limited, a former board member of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority. He continues to chair a number of commercial company boards.

Ryan Stewart started his career in law with a large established law firm in 2010, completing his local ‘conversion’ and registration exams in 2013. In that same period, he completed his Masters degree with his Masters dissertation having focused on the changing field of post – divorce spousal support.

In 2016, Ryan moved to another established legal firm as partner and expanded litigation into more commercial law, working on numerous commercial transactions in relation to greenfield and brownfield corporate clients. In addition to maintaining his family law practice Ryan also handled and oversaw all litigation, resulting in now over 10 years’ experience as a general litigator in both the lower and superior courts.

In recent years, Ryan has expanded his practice experience into conveyancing and the structuring of sectional title or share block arrangements relating to property development projects.

The combined experience of two broadly qualified and experienced partners ensures that the commercial needs of almost every client can be attended to. A number of key alliances with specialist accounting, tax and valuation experts adds further value to this experience.

Brian Kudzaishe Mataruka is the Head of Civil and Commercial Litigation. He joined the firm on 1 August 2026 from another leading Zimbabwean law firm, where he was Head Partner of the Mining and Infrastructure Law Practice for ten years.

Over the years, Brian has developed a distinguished practice which encompasses high value complex commercial disputes before the superior courts, including shareholder and corporate governance matters, commercial and contractual claims, insurance, insolvency, banking and finance, regulatory challenges, and disputes arising from major construction, infrastructure and mining projects. He also advises clients on dispute avoidance, commercial risk management and the negotiated resolution of business-critical disputes.

Brian has advised on some of Zimbabwe’s most significant mining, energy, infrastructure and industrial projects, acting for investors and project sponsors throughout the project lifecycle. His commercial experience includes structuring investments, negotiating project and investment frameworks with State institutions and regulatory authorities, securing regulatory approvals, advising on exchange control compliance, and developing governance frameworks for medium to large commercial enterprises. His ability to navigate the intersection of law, government policy and commercial objectives has made him a trusted adviser on strategically significant investments in highly regulated sectors.

Brian’s practice is further strengthened by his extensive boardroom experience. He currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Willdale Limited, a company listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, and has held several other non-executive directorships across the financial services, manufacturing and aviation sectors. These appointments have provided him with first-hand experience of corporate governance, strategic planning, executive oversight, shareholder engagement and regulatory compliance, enabling him to advise boards, investors and executive management with a practical understanding of the commercial realities that shape complex business decisions.

Brian holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of Zimbabwe, a Master of Laws (LLM) in Extractive Industries Law in Africa from the University of Pretoria, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the African Leadership University, where he received awards for Business Innovation and Academic Excellence.

Outside of his legal practice, Brian is an avid golfer and is actively involved in charitable work. Notably, he currently serves as Chairman of the Wagwizi Community Foundation, a charitable organisation established by renowned Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah, where he dedicates his time to supporting the Foundation’s philanthropic initiatives.

Artwell Maradza holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) and was registered as a Legal Practitioner, Conveyancer and Notary Public in 2022. Artwell is currently pursuing his Master’s in Intellectual Property and Technology Law with the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). His career in law started with an established firm in 2022 where he then moved to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC). At ZHRC, Artwell was a Knowledge Management and Research Officer up the time he joined the firm in 2024.

He has represented a diverse range of corporate clients from various industries and provides a wide variety of commercial legal services.

Other areas of legal skills which have been developed during his career include a proficiency in legal research, family law, which includes children and the law, divorce and maintenance. Artwell has also developed a keen interest in litigation and handles areas of criminal law where required for commercial clients.

Sibonile Nyathi holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Witwatersrand. She was registered as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Zimbabwe in 2012. Sibonile started her legal journey with Coghlan, Welsh and Guest Legal Practitioners in Harare in 2012 to 2016. Thereafter, she moved to South Africa where she practiced immigration and family law, at Strategies Migration Services SA and Mudau and Netshipise Attorneys, respectively. In 2024, Sibonile resumed her career in Zimbabwe, as a legal officer at GetBucks Microfinance Bank in Harare before joining our litigation team in February 2026. Sibonile has been engaged in family and commercial disputes.

Sibonile has over 10 years’ experience in civil and corporate litigation.

Other areas of legal skills which have been developed during his career include a proficiency in legal research, family law, which includes children and the law, divorce and maintenance. Artwell has also developed a keen interest in litigation and handles areas of criminal law where required for commercial clients.