South Africa: Bowmans’ winning M&A Practice in South Africa continues to grow

Leading African law firm Bowmans has further enhanced its standing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through strategic appointments at its Johannesburg office.

Angela Simpson, who is one of the most senior female M&A practitioners in the South African market, and another M&A specialist, Janine Howard, joined the firm as partners on 1 April 2024 along with senior associate, Dominika Pietrzak, and associate, Tsholofelo Mofokeng.

Chairman and senior partner, Ezra Davids, says, ‘Bowmans is known as a leader in the M&A market, offering quality advice that is sought after particularly, but not exclusively, in challenging market conditions. Our new M&A team members share our commercially oriented, problem-solving mindset and we are delighted to welcome them to Bowmans. We have no doubt that Angela, Janine and the rest of the team will add value to our firm for the greater benefit of both our domestic and international client base.’

Simpson, who was partner and co-head of M&A at her previous firm, has 25 years’ experience in both public and private M&A transactions including in private equity and venture capital. Her expertise spans multiple sectors such as financial services, logistics, food and agriculture, mining, fast-moving consumer goods, telecommunications, technology and renewable energy. She has a BCom LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Howard, who was a director designate at her previous firm, has nine years’ post-admission experience advising on corporate, mining, B-BBEE and private equity transactions in South Africa and other jurisdictions. She has BA, LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Cape Town.

Head of M&A at Bowmans, Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe, concludes, ‘We’re very pleased that Angela, Janine, Dominika and Tsholofelo have chosen to join us. Their skills and experience will be of great value in our ongoing quest to help our clients conclude some of the largest and most complex transactions in the region. I’m confident that they will help us to build on the very strong foundation that we have already established in the M&A space.’

Bowmans won the 2023 African Legal Award for M&A Team of the Year and the 2022 IFLR Africa Awards for Overall M&A Team of The Year and M&A Firm of the Year: South Africa. The firm was also DealMakers Africa’s top M&A legal advisor by deal flow and DealMaker’s top M&A advisor by deal value for 2023.