Celebrating 25 Years of Legal Excellence with James Cross

Tabacks is celebrating 25 years of legal excellence — a milestone defined by resilience, reinvention and the trust of long-standing client relationships.

To mark this milestone, we are sharing reflections from the partners who have helped shape the firm. Each feature offers insight into their journey, their perspective and the human element behind Tabacks’ specialist boutique approach.

We begin the series with James Cross, Managing Partner, who reflects on leadership, longevity and the road ahead.

The Tabacks Journey

Q: James, your career includes co-founding a specialist environmental law firm and later leading Tabacks through a period of realignment and growth. What does being part of the Tabacks legacy mean to you?

A: For me it means being part of a proudly South African firm that has kept moving forward and continues to do so. I joined Tabacks in 2013, bringing Environmental Health & Safety expertise into a broader commercial platform. That spirit of collaboration and evolution has defined Tabacks ever since.

The last few years required us to reinvent ourselves — and we didn’t do that alone. Our clients showed extraordinary loyalty and support during that period, often going above and beyond because they believed in who we are and how we work. That trust has played a significant role in sustaining the firm, and it’s something we remain deeply grateful for.

Today, Tabacks is stronger, more focused and united around a shared vision: delivering specialist legal expertise with a relationship-driven approach.

Vision, Specialism and South African Commitment

Q: Your practice spans Environmental Health & Safety, regulatory compliance, litigation, and advising government. How do you see the future of this practice — and Tabacks — unfolding?

A: My experience has been that Environmental Health & Safety law rarely sits neatly on paper. As legislation evolves and enforcement intensifies, clients increasingly need advisers who understand how regulatory requirements play out in practice. Our work is grounded in specialist expertise, applied thoughtfully and pragmatically, with a clear understanding of each client’s operating environment. That perspective is shaped by a commitment to responsible growth within the South African context in which we practise.

What Sets Tabacks Apart

Q: What would you say is the defining characteristic of the Tabacks team today — and what can clients expect going forward?

A: The defining characteristic is our unity and focus. At leadership level, we are forward-looking, aligned and deeply invested in the firm’s future — and that positive energy permeates the firm.

We operate on a specialist boutique model: deep expertise combined with collaboration and tailored service.

From a client’s perspective, it means dealing with a team that communicates well, understands the broader context of their matters, and brings the right people into the conversation at the right time. Looking ahead, that clarity and consistency are what clients can continue to expect.

One of the most formative experiences for me was guiding the firm through a period of realignment and reinvention. It reinforced the importance of clarity, trust and consistency — both internally and in client relationships. The loyalty and support we received during that time was humbling, and it continues to influence how I think about leadership and long-term relationships at Tabacks. — James Cross