WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY
At one of the worst moments of my life, Diane, with a very quick grasp of my unexpected situation, cleared her dairy to prioritise and work tirelessly on my case, for which I will be forever grateful. She displayed the utmost care, superior attention to detail and with a level of commitment that blew me away (even running in heels to get the documents in before closing time!!), she assisted me without hesitation and allowed me to get my life back on track, when it had looked to me like an impossible situation at the outset. With compassion and a heartfelt level of concern, Diane was my lifeline in a storm, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her most highly. Thank you Diane for your care and concern and help.
Tammy – Accountant
Diane Smart was my lifesaver! I was at my wits end and was getting different information from different lawyers about my plight. When I walked into Diane’s office, I felt calm. She sat and listened to my whole story and not once did I feel judged. She calmly gave me all the options possible to solve my situation and at no time did I feel like anything was being forced upon me. Diane, you are a lawyer I would recommend to anyone! Thank you so much for all your help! Even though I was not in the country most of the time you were always available and I appreciate that. If it was not for you and your sound advice, I would not have my son with me today! You are one in a million!
Melanie – Teacher
I came to Diane’s office through the recommendation of a friend of a friend to handle my divorce. It was not a complex divorce, but still needed some attention and eye for detail because of the international context (I am not a South African national) and our then 2-year old daughter.
When I think back at my divorce, a process that all in all took more than a year, there is a clear positive turning point from the moment Diane took on my case. Before I came to Diane I had been to a different lawyer, and it was quite a horrible experience.
It is said that most people who file for divorce are women, but of these women most did not initiate the divorce or the ‘breakup’. I also ended up spending a good deal of time and money going through a divorce that had not been my wish in the first place, but that I had decided to, eventually, file for. But from the moment I stepped into Diane’s office on Loop Street everything immediately changed – my divorce was handled with care and accuracy. I was told what would happen when, and I never had to follow up on anything. Diane kept all her promises, delivered whatever document she said she would send me at the time that she said she would. She would respond to my queries quickly and efficiently, and always ensured that I wouldn’t waste her or my time.
What I have appreciated the most, aside from her professional approach, her calm, realistic attitude and her sound judgment, is that Diane is not afraid to reveal that she is a human being too, and give advice or recommendations based on her own experience. She has a very clear and conscious approach, I think, where she aims to reduce her own role as much as possible and, I am sure, only when it is feasible, to allow the parties to handle between themselves whatever they can. She also understands that, even though it can be really helpful to get legal advice and bring in a lawyer to handle some of the ‘technicalities’ that come with legal procedures, it can also change the dynamic of an already strenuous relationship for the worse. So, although for me she was quite a monumental positive presence in the process of getting my divorce finalised (and this with I believe only one, perhaps two, face to face consultations), she remained in the background in the dealings with my ex-husband.
Obiozo – Researcher
After fifteen years of entrusting my own clients and personal friends to Diane for specialist family law advice and effective legal representation, there was no-one else I considered turning to when I later found myself in need of such assistance. Diane’s sincerity, calming pragmatism and many years of experience; coupled with her sensitive understanding of the complexity of human relationships and her ability not only to look out for and protect her client’s best interests but also to take a holistic and forward-looking approach combine to make Diane a genuinely outstanding family lawyer and one I continue to recommend most highly from both personal and professional experience.
Hayley – Attorney
When emotions over clouded my decision-making, it was reassuring to have Diane give a logical and practical response to the many questions I had. Given that divorce is both an incredibly emotional and legal process and that I was dealing with a hostile, verbally and mentally abusive spouse throughout this process, having an attorney who is well versed in this type of litigation, who dealt with issues in a methodical and unemotional manner, made me realise that there was light at the end of a very dark tunnel. My children and I now have love, peace and happiness back in our home.
Christine – Research Assistant
Before I was fortunate enough to have met Diane I was told by other attorneys as well as social workers that my case was near impossible to win. I was repeatedly informed that my goal whether successful or not would also cost a small fortune. Diane not only won my case in her characteristically pragmatic manner, but did so at a reasonable price and most importantly she did so while managing to keep tensions to a minimum. I will always be sincerely grateful to Diane for all that she accomplished for me and my children.
Brenden – Businessman
Ms Smart is exactly that! In fact, much more than just ‘smart’. Diane has an innate ability to grasp the core issues at stake, sum them up in easy-to-understand language and then, together with you, execute the best available strategy for the swift conclusion of your matter.
All the while, I find her empathetic and sensitive to the enormous emotions at play when dealing with the traumatic areas surrounding Family Law. She is prompt, always approachable and immensely helpful. Others in the legal profession, like myself, go to Diane for the best advice at a very reasonable rate.
Ronan – Attorney