David Josephus (Diaan) Nel completed his articles at Jan S de Villiers Attorneys in Cape Town in 1995. He was appointed as head of the collections department, a position that he filled with success until December 2000. He was responsible for a considerable workload and serviced clients like Naspers, Transnet, Sanlam, Absa, Gensec and Santam. During this period Diaan was also appointed to the Cape Law Society Committee for Magistrate Court Matters.

In January 2000 he joined GJ Swart in partnership in Parow under the name and style of Swart & Nel Attorneys, responsible for the firm’s litigation and collection’s department. Diaan has gained a vast experience in the fields of collection, general Magistrates Court and High Court litigation, sectional title developments, commercial law and contracts, rental collection and lease administration and insolvency law.

He has recently begun to assist Legal Wise clients with matters relating from motor vehicle accidents, debt collections, poor workmanship etc. He has been in practise for 27 years and prides himself in rendering a prompt, professional and personal approach service to his corporate and individual clients alike.

Nicoleen Gagiano Grobler started her legal journey in 1996 when she joined Diaan Nel as a legal secretary at Jan S De Villiers & Son (now Werkmans). When Diaan left in 2000 to start his own law firm, Nicoleen soon followed and joined him at Swart & Nel Attorneys.

During her time at Swart & Nel she started her LLB legal studies through Unisa. In 2005 she took a year off work and moved to Florida, USA to focus on her studies. Upon her return she joined Fourie Basson and Veldman Attorneys for 2 years before heading off to Dubai where she worked at Bin Shabib & Associates, one of the top international law firms in the DIFC, focusing on Corporate Law.

During her time in Dubai she married where after she took a few years off to focus on her growing family.

Upon her return to South Africa in 2013 she reached out to Diaan who, without hesitation, offered her an opportunity to return to Swart & Nel Attorneys to complete her articles. During her time at Swart & Nel Attorneys she was admitted to the High Court as an attorney, conveyancer and notary.

In 2021 Diaan and Nicoleen launched their new chapter in their legal career and started practicing in partnership as Diaan Nel & Gagiano Inc. (DNG Attorneys) where she runs the conveyancing department.