Lea Wimble: Building Community through Law and Compassion

Founding Wimble Attorneys: A Journey Unplanned

Lea Wimble is the owner and founder of Wimble Attorneys, a conveyancing firm located on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Since its establishment, the firm has cultivated a strong reputation for professionalism, compassion, and positive community impact, now celebrating its sixth anniversary in 2025.

Reflecting on her career path, Lea shared that entrepreneurship was never part of her original plan. Life, however, had other intentions for her. In the same year that she welcomed her third child, she also found herself in a position where starting her own business became necessary. Lea described this period as both daunting and transformative, often referring to it as the year she had two babies—a newborn and a business. She humorously admits that the business "baby" was the one keeping her awake at night. Embracing the unexpected, Lea began to see the challenge as an opportunity, wondering what positive outcomes could emerge from this new venture.

The Birth and Impact of the Gifted Project

It was during this period of reflection that the Gifted Project was conceived. Lea and her team asked themselves what set Wimble Attorneys apart from other conveyancing law firms. She regularly poses the question to her staff: if the business were to close its doors tomorrow, would the community notice its absence? With this sense of purpose, the firm committed to allocating a percentage of each property transfer fee to the Gifted Fund. These funds are then used to purchase and donate homes to families in need, with the ambitious goal of gifting one home per year.

Lea expressed her pride in the project, noting that they recently registered and transferred their second home to a recipient family. Renovations are underway, and soon the new owners will move in, holding their own title deed. At the core of Wimble Attorneys is a guiding principle: "How can we help?" This question is directed at clients, employees, and the broader community to ensure the firm makes a meaningful difference.

The tangible impact of the Gifted Project is already evident. The first recipient, a domestic worker, now rents out the home she received, effectively doubling her income. The second recipient, a single mother of a child with special needs, will have the opportunity to live in one part of her new home and rent out the other, supplementing her income. Lea describes these experiences as both fulfilling and humbling, emphasising the power of listening to people’s stories and understanding their journeys. She is careful to ensure that each home becomes a stepping stone for recipients and not a burden, providing guidance to help them make the most of this asset.

Inspired by Family Values

Lea credits much of her motivation and compassion to her mother, who broke barriers as Kimberley’s first female pharmacist business owner in the 1970s and later dedicated herself to raising funds for cancer patients through the Cancer Association of South Africa. Witnessing this example growing up instilled in Lea the importance of hard work, belief in one’s purpose, and the value of making a difference in others’ lives.

Before founding her legal practice, Lea taught law at the University of the Free State and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Law, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Master’s in Law. Her entry into conveyancing followed years of lecturing, after which she completed her conveyancing exam and returned to practice, dedicating the past decade to advising clients in this specialised area.

The transition from academia to entrepreneurship was also shaped by her husband, whom she describes as a business guru. Their move to Durban for his career inadvertently opened the door for her own business journey, evolving from supporting his ambition to discovering her own purpose.

Overcoming Challenges and Encouraging Growth

Lea acknowledges that business growth comes with its own set of challenges. As demand for her firm’s services increased, she had to adapt from managing all aspects of the business herself—including administrative tasks—to building a team and assuring clients that the quality of service would remain high. This shift required her to grow from being a hands-on conveyancer to a business owner and manager.

She encourages young women in law and entrepreneurship to remain authentic, sharing her own experience of being told she was too gentle to be a lawyer. Lea has learned to view her gentleness as a unique strength and advises others to pursue what they love, emphasising the importance of passion and authenticity in one’s career.

Looking to the Future

Lea’s aspirations for the future are focused on expanding the Gifted Project into a fully-fledged non-profit organisation that not only donates homes but also creates employment opportunities. She humorously notes her husband’s observation that she is a professional gift buyer, funded by her law practice.

Outside of her professional life, Lea finds balance through running and reading, describing long-distance running as her "midlife crisis." She is devoted to her family, cherishing the simple, everyday moments with her husband and three children.