Lea Wimble

Lea Wimble is the owner and founder of Wimble Attorneys, a conveyancing firm based on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The firm, which celebrates its sixth anniversary in 2025 has built a reputation for professionalism, compassion and community impact.

Reflecting on her journey, Lea explained that entrepreneurship was never part of her initial plan. However,
she said life had other ideas. “By circumstances, the same year I had my third baby, I also found myself in a
position where I had to start a business. It was quite a scary time. I always talk about it as the year I had two
babies, a real-life baby and a business baby, and the business baby was the one who kept me up at night.”

Once she embraced the change, Lea recognised that this challenge was also an opportunity. “I thought,
there must be a reason why I was chosen to have this business. What good can come from it?”

THE BIRTH OF THE GIFTED PROJECT
From that reflection, the Gifted Project was born. “We asked ourselves, ‘What makes us different from any
other conveyancing law firm?’,” Lea explained. “I always say to my staff, if our business were to shut its doors
tomorrow, would the community actually miss us?” The firm decided that for every property transfer
completed, a percentage of the fee would go into a Gifted Fund. These funds are used to purchase and
donate homes to families in need. “Our big goal is to gift one home a year,” Lea said proudly. “Just a month ago, we registered and transferred our second home into someone’s name. We’re doing some renovations, and soon her family will move in with their own title deed.”

At the heart of Wimble Attorneys lies a simple yet profound motto: How can we help? Lea explained, “We start by asking how we can help our clients. We ask our employees what they need to do a good job, to live a fulfilled life and then, how can we help our community."

The Gifted Project has already changed lives in tangible ways. The first recipient was a domestic worker who now rents out the home she received, effectively doubling her income. The second project benefitted a single mother with a child with special needs. “We’re creating a space where she can live in one part and rent out another to supplement her income,” Lea said. Lea described the experience as deeply moving. “It’s very
fulfilling and very humbling.” She added, “There’s such power in storytelling, just to sit with someone, listen to their story and understand what life is like in their shoes.

It’s such a blessing to be part of their journey.” Lea is careful to ensure that the home becomes an asset. “We never want the gift to be a burden to someone,” she emphasised. “We help and guide the recipients so it becomes something that helps them step up in life.”

INSPIRED BY FAMILY AND VALUES
Lea attributes much of her drive and compassion to her mother, who was Kimberley’s first female pharmacist business owner in the 1970s. “My mum owned Kimberley Pharmacy,” Lea shared. “She was
a trailblazer. Later, she became a volunteer for the Cancer Association of South Africa and raised over a
million rand for cancer patients.” This spirit of service left a lasting impression. “What was modelled to us as children was to work hard, believe in what you do, and always ask, what can I do to make someone else’s life better?”

Before starting her legal practice, Lea taught law at the University of the Free State and holds three law degrees: a Bachelor of Commerce in Law, a Bachelor of Laws and a Master’s in Law.Her move into conveyancing came later. “After years of lecturing, I decided to complete my conveyancing exam and return to practice. That’s been the last ten years of my life.” She said, “I love being in a specialised field where I can give clients solid advice."

Transitioning from academia to business was also influenced by her husband. “He was always the business
guru,” she explained. “When he got an opportunity in Durban, we moved, and that opened the door for me.
What started as supporting his dream became me discovering my own purpose.”

CHALLENGES AND GROWTH
Lea acknowledges that growing a business has challenges. “When you do good work, your business grows which is wonderful, but it also means you have to grow too,” she said. “At first, I did everything –
director, tea girl, typist, cleaner. My clients loved that personal touch. When the firm grew and I hired staff,
I had to assure clients that the same quality of service would continue. I also had to evolve from being a
conveyancer to being a business owner and manager of people.”

Lea encourages young women entering the legal profession or starting their own ventures to be authentic.
“Be true to yourself,” she advised. “People have an idea of how a lawyer should look or act. I’ve been told, ‘You’re so gentle – how can you be a lawyer?’. But I’ve learned that my gentleness is my strength.”

She added, “If you’re going to do something for the rest of your life, you have to love it. You have to wake up
excited to do it.”

LOOKING AHEAD
Lea’s vision for the future is centred on growth and impact. “I’d love to see the Gifted Project grow into a fully-fledged non-profit organisation that donates homes and creates employment opportunities. My husband jokes that I’m a professional gift buyer who funds it by running a law firm – and he’s not wrong.”

Outside of work, Lea finds balance through running and reading. “My midlife crisis was long-distance running,” she laughed. “I run most days and read a lot. I have three children and we’re a very close family. My happiest days are the ordinary ones, spent with my husband and kids. That’s what I love most."