Headquarters Chancellor House Date founded 1952 | Major practice areas General practice | |
Key people Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo Dissolved 1960 (Due to the founders involvement in the Anti-Apartheid Movement) | ||
Mandela and Tambo was the name of the law firm run by Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in South Africa. At the time of its founding in 1952, it was the only all black African law firm in the country. The firm ceased to exist after politics and the anti-Apartheid struggle began to consume most of both men's time. Its office was destroyed and burned down in 1960.
In August 1952, the law firm opened in Chancellor House and was situated in the same building as the ANC headquarters. It was a movement that proved to be decisive as during the time most lawyers were white and were against the idea of an all-African law firm. However, there were many such as Walter Pollak who were in favour with Mandela and Tambo.
Oliver Tambo would do much of the paperwork in the office whilst Mandela would represent the clients in the court room. Soon, news of the two lawyers spread fast to Transkei and both lawyers would have so many people that they would be moved to corridors.