Max is an internationally respected lawyer with over 27 years of experience in legal practice, corporate governance, and international law. He began his career at Deneys Reitz and Pillay-Meyer and went on to establish and lead Boqwana-Loon & Connellan, the largest law firm in South Africa's Eastern Cape, before founding the boutique corporate consulting firm Boqwana-Burns Inc., focused on oil, gas, and multilateral transactions. Max has advised on major transactions, including the Total/Calulo BEE deal, the Coega IDZ, Coca-Cola's BEE transaction, and represented key national and international bodies such as the Arms Procurement Commission and the Ministry of Land Reform. A dedicated mentor, he has trained over 30 young lawyers and served in leadership roles within Nadel, the Law Society of South Africa, and the SADC Lawyers Association. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice to draft South Africa's Legal Practice Act and has served as an Acting Judge. As a Visiting Fellow at Rhodes University for over seven years, he teaches international law and human rights and was awarded the university's Distinguished Alumni Award. Max has presented globally and served on an international inquiry into U.S. police violence post-George Floyd. He was named one of South Africa's top 100 lawyers in 2021. He holds BA and LLB degrees from Rhodes University and a certificate in Securities Law from UNISA.