South Africa

Firm overview

With more than 300 specialist lawyers and a total staff complement of over 650, Bowmans’ South African practice is widely regarded as one of the leading corporate law firms in the country.

Its specialist legal services cover the spectrum of corporate and commercial law, banking and finance law and dispute resolution. The team is recognised for its professionalism and ability to assist clients in the region.

Clients include investment banks, industrial conglomerates, financial institutions, governments and state authorities from both South Africa and around the world. 

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Firm overview

Firm overview

As the first international firm to open an office in South Africa in 1995, White & Case has established itself as one of the region's leading law firms, serving clients across the African continent for more than 40 years.

Clients value our support and advice on their most complex African deals. We advise international companies investing in Africa, as well as local companies pursuing opportunities in Africa and beyond. We offer both local and English law capabilities, and are continually recognized for our work by independent sources including Chambers Global, EMEA Finance, The Legal 500 and IFLR1000.

Firm overview

The firm: Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) is a full-service law with more than 260 lawyers and a track record spanning over 170 years. CDH believes the right partnerships lead to great achievements. The partnerships it cherishes and values most are those it has forged through time and experience with its clients and, of course, its people. In April 2021, CDH joined forces with Nairobi-based boutique corporate law firm, Kieti Law LLP (Kieti), in a move to bolster the capabilities of both firms in the continent’s East African economic hub and better service East African clients’ needs in Southern Africa.

We are able to provide experienced legal support and an authentic knowledge-based and cost-effective legal service for clients looking to do business in key markets across Africa. Our Africa practice brings together the resources and expertise of leading business law firms across the continent that have direct experience acting for governments, state agencies and multinational organisations. This combined experience across the continent produces an extensive African capability. We also partner with other professional disciplines such as audit, business consulting or corporate finance disciplines to provide a seamless and integrated solution for projects that have a multi-disciplinary dimension.

We focus on a number of key sectors which are active and thriving in Africa, including Mergers & Acquisitions; Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fishing; Commercial Real Estate; Consumer Goods, Services & Retail; Energy and Power; Oil & Gas; Financial Institutions, Services & Fintech; Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring; Government & State-owned Entities; Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals; Hospitality & Leisure; Gambling & Regulatory Compliance; Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade; Infrastructure, Transport & Logistics; Mining & Minerals; Private Equity; and Technology & Communications.

With first-hand, in-depth experience, CDH is able to offer sector-specific expertise and knowledge of regulatory nuances to provide an exceptional integrated service across Africa. This includes a proven track record and deal experience across multiple jurisdictions in Africa, a practical and commercial approach, a multidisciplinary team of experts managed from a single point, extensive sector experience, and dedicated, partner-led teams.

Areas of practice: The firm’s corporate and commercial offering covers the full spectrum of business legal services, which it delivers through core practice areas and sector teams. 

CDH has 11 esteemed core practice areas: Corporate & Commercial; Competition law; Dispute Resolution; Employment law; Environmental law; Finance & Banking; Pro Bono & Human rights; Real Estate law; Tax & Exchange Control; and Trusts & Estates. Whether needing seamless coordination across a number of jurisdictions or delivery in a single location, the firm’s clients can rely on advice that is underpinned by a solid understanding of both local and international considerations.

Diversity: CDH values diversity, respect for the individual and equal opportunity. At CDH, transformation is considered the shared responsibility of everyone in the firm. The firm puts a great deal of energy and time into its ongoing initiatives which aim to achieve CDH’s greater transformation aspirations.  

Corporate responsibility: CDH undertakes to look after the communities in which it operates through pro bono and volunteer work. To this end, CDH’s dedicated pro bono and human rights practice facilitates access to justice for the disadvantaged and vulnerable.