Ernst is a “Natural Scientist turned Regulatory Lawyer”.

Owing to his background in Environmental Sciences, his practice tends to focus on the laws that govern the exploitation of natural resources. 

In light of this, he also frequently advises clients on matters related to sustainable development and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Ernst is the lead associate in most of the Johannesburg-based corporate team’s ESG and mining related matters.  

Many of the matters include strategically important instructions such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia mineral law reform project and the Green Hydrogen Organisation’s Green Hydrogen Contracting and Green Hydrogen Standard initiatives.