Background
"I completed a BCom Law degree at North-West University, followed by an LLB degree through UNISA. During my studies at UNISA, Roelf Nel Incorporated, a firm specialising in construction, building, and engineering law, opened its doors to me as a paralegal. It was an opportunity I am truly grateful for, as it allowed me to develop and gain experience alongside my studies rather than waiting until after graduation. After completing my LLB, I served my articles at the firm.
I was recently admitted as an attorney and have been fortunate enough to be retained."
On enrolling at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law
"A colleague's recommendation pointed me in the direction of Gawie le Roux, and the Institute's reputation did the rest of the convincing. From a practical standpoint, the online structure worked well for where I am in life. Studying alongside the responsibilities of married life means finding a format that fits around your commitments at home, and this programme genuinely allowed for that balance.
The lecturers were prepared, engaging, and clearly comfortable with the content."
"I enjoyed that they presented the content in a way that felt grounded and practical, not just academic."
"When the sessions got lengthy, they weren't above a well-timed joke to keep everyone going. The administrative team was also great to deal with, responsive and on the ball. Overall, it was a well-run experience from start to finish."
400-hour vs 150-hour PVT programme of structured course work
"The decision was driven by two things.
First, the 400-hour programme qualified me for early admission, which was a meaningful advantage.
Second, and perhaps more practically, I was preparing for the competency-based examinations at the same time, and the extended programme gave me a structure I could lean on. Spreading the work over more hours kept me consistently engaged with the material, which in turn kept me accountable. For me, sustained exposure to the content was always going to produce better results than a more condensed approach in the lead up to the examinations."
On facing challenges
"The course is demanding, work is demanding, and life has a habit of being demanding all at the same time. Routine and time become your most valuable resources, and protecting them sometimes means making choices that aren't always popular. Plans get cancelled and long hours become the norm, but it is a relatively short season of sacrifice for a reward that lasts a lifetime. The challenges were real, but so was the finish line."
Keegan's tips for candidate legal practitioners
- "Be intentional and selective about the preparation courses you attend and the notes you rely on. Not all material will serve you equally well, so choose wisely and trust what you have chosen. I relied on the self-study material for Paper 1 and 3 from Gawie le Roux whilst I was busy with the 400-hour programme.
- Don't give up when it gets difficult. In those moments, lean on your law school foundation and the practical experience gained through your articles. You have more to draw on than you realise.
- Back yourself. After months of preparation, you carry more knowledge and capability than examination nerves will have you believe. A clear head and genuine self-belief are the final and perhaps most important part of your preparation."
Keegan's recommended reading for legal practitioners
"Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl has no academic relevance to the legal profession; however, this profession is demanding, often thankless, and there will be periods where the weight of it is difficult to carry. A central theme of the book is that hardship becomes bearable when connected to purpose, and that lesson translates into the legal profession more than one might expect. Knowing why you do what you do and holding onto that during the difficult seasons feels like as good a compass as any, regardless of where you are in your career."
What's next?
"My current focus is on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) within the construction law sphere. I am upskilling myself in ADR proceedings and getting involved with the relevant professional organisations in that space. It is a natural extension of the work I already do and an area I am genuinely keen to develop further."
Last updated on 15 May 2026.