Suné van Wyk was born and raised in Potgietersrus, now Mokopane, where she matriculated before moving to Pretoria to pursue her legal studies at the University of Pretoria. She obtained both a BA Law and an LLB, graduating cum laude. During her final year of LLB studies in 2017, she simultaneously completed Law School, which enabled her to complete a shortened period of articles before being admitted as an attorney in 2019.

Suné’s relationship with VDH Attorneys began well before she formally joined the firm. She completed vacation work at VDH before commencing her articles at Geyser & Ferreira Incorporated in Nylstroom, now Modimolle. After her admission, she continued practising there as an attorney and gained extensive experience in High Court litigation and Magistrates’ Court correspondent work. During this period, she also acted as a correspondent attorney for VDH and attended to the firm’s debt review matters in the Modimolle Magistrates’ Court.

Before joining VDH, Suné was involved in several significant and complex matters. Her High Court litigation experience included acting on behalf of the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality in proceedings against Eskom when electricity supply to Modimolle, Mookgophong, Vaalwater and Alma was threatened. An interdict was successfully obtained preventing the interruption of electricity supply, followed by negotiations that resulted in a payment arrangement.

She was also involved in proceedings to obtain a stay of legal proceedings in terms of section 152 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which facilitated negotiations with the Municipality’s creditors and the conclusion of payment arrangements while preventing further legal proceedings against the Municipality. This was a groundbreaking application, assisted by senior and junior counsel and the application was in excess of 250 pages. Suné was further involved in a matter successfully appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal, following which the matter was referred back to the High Court.

Suné formally joined VDH Attorneys in November 2023, bringing with her four years of post-admission experience and an existing familiarity with the firm and its debt review practice. Her current work includes court appearances, drafting, overseeing and managing litigation-related work performed by litigation assistants, and engaging with opposing parties in an effort to resolve matters through negotiation and settlement.

She particularly enjoys the technical and strategic aspects of litigation, with a keen interest in drafting replying affidavits and heads of argument. She also enjoys negotiating with opposing parties and finding practical solutions that can bring contested matters to resolution without compromising the client’s position.

Suné regards organisation, administration and attention to detail as some of her strongest professional attributes. She approaches each matter methodically and believes that proper preparation requires a thorough understanding of the history and facts of a file before any step is taken. Her strong memory for the detail of matters, combined with a diligent and highly organised approach, allows her to remain closely acquainted with the files under her care. She sets high standards for her own work and strives to ensure that every matter is properly prepared before it reaches court or the next stage of litigation.

Based in Mokopane, Limpopo, Suné regularly attends courts throughout the surrounding areas of Limpopo Province. As a mother of three daughters, she values the flexibility VDH provides to balance a demanding legal career with family life, working from home when she is not required at court or at the office. She is fluent in both Afrikaans and English.

For Suné, VDH offers more than a professional environment. She values the firm’s close-knit culture, shared values and the opportunity to work alongside colleagues who take pride in the quality of their work, while still recognising the importance of life and family outside the office.

Away from practice, Suné’s life centres largely around her family and farm life. She and her husband have three daughters and share a love of animals and the outdoors. Together they have a White Dorper sheep stud, along with three dogs, a cat and a miniature pony. She also enjoys reading, hunting and target shooting.

0Whether preparing for court, drafting an affidavit or negotiating a settlement, Suné’s approach remains consistent: know the file, understand the detail, be thoroughly prepared and aim for the best possible result.