Tania Pearson

Tania has extensive experience in property acquisition and disposition, including the sale and purchase of commercial, industrial, agricultural, and mixed-use properties. An integral part of her duties is to conduct thorough due diligence investigations, encompassing title verification through the Deeds Office, encumbrances, zoning compliance, environmental assessment compliance, and regulatory approvals. Expert in drafting and negotiating sale and transfer agreements, ensuring that transactions are efficiently structured and fully compliant with Namibian land laws. 

Having been in the Banking sector for a number of years, she acquired expertise in real estate finance, advising on the structuring and negotiation of financing arrangements, including loan agreements, mortgage and notarial bonds, as well as security documentation and enforcement proceedings. She acts for both financial institutions and borrowers in loan restructuring and workout arrangements.

Having been a board member and chairperson of various Institutions, committees and subcommittees has the added advantage of exposing her to a wide field of practice, including inter alia financial, media, corporate governance, human resources, international trade relations. For the past 7 years she has been involved in the liquidation of a commercial bank with the legal consequences and the forensic aspect of money laundering and related crimes.

• Served as State Prosecutor for the Ministry of Justice between 1997 and 1998, working at the Magistrates Court in Windhoek and later as State Advocate in the Office of the Prosecutor-General. Responsibilities included prosecuting criminal cases, preparing legal opinions, reviewing police dockets to advise on additional evidence requirements, and assessing whether specific complaints warranted prosecution.

• Worked as Legal Practitioner and later Partner at Shikongo Law Chambers from August 1998 to December 2007, focusing on diverse areas of practice including commercial and corporate law, media law, company secretarial services, civil litigation, conveyancing, and notarial work.

• Served as Legal Advisor at SME Bank Limited from September 2012 to July 2017, leading and managing the Legal Services Department and overseeing complex legal matters and projects. Additionally, chaired the Bankers Association of Namibia Legal Subcommittee, acted as Trustee of the SME Bank Provident Fund, and assumed the role of Acting Company Secretary following the Bank of Namibia takeover in March 2017, continuing in this capacity until liquidation.

• Assisted the Liquidators, Messrs. Bruni & McLaren, in the winding-up of SME Bank Limited (in liquidation), with focus on Commissions of Enquiry into the Bank’s collapse, with a specific focus on forensic investigations and money laundering inquiries. Actively engaged in a range of civil and criminal matters connected to the SME Bank across Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.