Cornelius grew up in Douglas in the Northern Cape and matriculated from Swartland High School in 2007. He attained his BA (Law) and LLB degrees from Stellenbosch University and completed his articles in Cape Town. After being admitted as an Attorney in 2016 he gained experience as an estate agent for two years.

Cornelius joined Miltons in 2018, was admitted as a Conveyancer in 2020 and works in our Cape Town office.