New managing partner for Webber Wentzel Sally Hutton has been Webber Wentzel’s managing partner for a decade, but decided not to make herself available for re-election in 2025. Safiyya Patel has been appointed as her successor with effect from 1 March 2025.
Mauritius firm partners with CMS for growth The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is a robust international financial centre and ideal launch-pad for investment into Africa or Asia. Johanne Hague spoke with Craig Sisterson about client-guided growth and her firm’s partnership with global legal organisation CMS.
New podcast series spotlights Africa’s impact lawyers A new podcast series, “Voices of Impact: African Lawyers Changing the World”, launching in the first quarter of 2025, will explore how legal professionals across the continent are reshaping the intersection of law, business and social change.
Forensic services team marks a milestone A year ago, Webber Wentzel strengthened its commitment to providing top-tier forensic services by establishing a dedicated Forensic Services team. The team has more than proved its worth to the firm and clients.
Spencer West Kenya continues rapid expansion Alternative law firm Spencer West has continued the significant growth of its East African offering by adding new partners, experienced associates and dedicated managerial staff to Spencer West Kenya’s Nairobi office.
AC&H boosts cross-border disputes expertise Experienced commercial disputes lawyer Alex Layden has been appointed as a partner in the Dubai, UAE, disputes practice of Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota (AC&H).
CMS South Africa recognised for gender equality leadership In a significant step forward for gender equality in the legal sector, CMS South Africa has been named a finalist across a number of competitive categories at the 12th annual Gender Mainstreaming Awards, a benchmark event for gender empowerment in Southern Africa.
Famsville’s “homegrown partner” set to shine Pamilerin Akabunwa has been promoted to partner at Famsville, a full service law firm based in Lagos, Nigeria, and takes up her new position on 1 November.
Webber Wentzel’s graduate team scoops awards Webber Wentzel’s graduate team celebrated a successful evening at the Wits Law Gala Dinner in early October 2024, taking home two prestigious awards.
Change of the guard at Webber Wentzel After almost a decade of leading Webber Wentzel as senior partner, Christo Els will return to full-time practice. Gareth Driver has been elected as his successor with effect from 1 March 2025.
Norton Rose Fulbright SA wins over formidable litigator The latest high-profile appointment at Norton Rose Fulbright is a strong strategic move for both the firm and Widaad Ebrahim-Fakier, who starts her new season on 1 September 2024.
DLA Piper Africa partners with Olympic gold medallist and African sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo DLA Piper Africa is proud to announce its partnership with 2024 Olympic Gold medallist and African sprint sensation, Letsile Tebogo. Under its partnership, DLA Piper Africa will be Tebogo's official legal sponsor, providing the 21-year old Motswana sprinter with legal services locally in Botswana, across Africa and globally.
CMS SA bolsters dispute resolution practice Bridget Letsholo has joined the Johannesburg office of CMS, a leading global law firm, as a director and Head of the Business Restructuring & Insolvency practice.
Bowmans appoints competition law partner with deep pan-African experience Leading African international law firm Bowmans has appointed pan-African competition law specialist HB Senekal as a partner in its Johannesburg Competition Practice.
Webber Wentzel’s young stars recognised as notable South Africans Two rising stars from Webber Wentzel – Ziyanda Sibeko and Danica Jonker – have been recognised in the Mail & Guardian’s 2024 cohort of “200 Young South Africans”. This recognition underscores the firm's unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation of legal talent.
CMS South Africa strengthens cross-border team with new addition With an increasing number of cross-border projects on the go in Africa, CMS South Africa has announced the expansion of its Cross-Border Projects and Infrastructure team with the addition of Muzi Kubeka.
Global position for Kenya’s Kibet Jinaro K. Kibet, SC, a senior partner at TripleOKLaw LLP, has been appointed to the board of directors of Meritas, a global alliance of independent law firms that serves the legal needs of companies across every major jurisdiction and global market.
Helping build a modern Angola CMS LBR, part of the international CMS stable, recently advised Unicargas on the multi-million dollar renewal of the Management and Operation Concession Contract for the Port of Luanda Multipurpose Terminal with the Luanda Port Authority.
A new look and name for a bold mandate Leading Zimbabwean commercial law firm Mushoriwa Pasi Corporate Attorneys has rebranded to Mushoriwa Moyo, driven by the desire to meet the needs of the ever-evolving African business landscape.
Norton Rose Fulbright SA boosts employment law team For 28 years, Gillian Lumb has practised and mastered employment law, a field she is deeply passionate about. Paul Ogemba spoke to her about her move to join Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa (SA).
Bowmans strengthens M&A practice in SA Leading African law firm Bowmans has further enhanced its standing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through four strategic appointments at its Johannesburg office.
Webber Wentzel announces 13 new partners Webber Wentzel has announced the promotion of 13 attorneys to the position of partner as a result of their “outstanding contributions” to the firm.
Stepping up to partner Shafimana Shimakeleni is SNC Incorporated’s newest partner, having been promoted from senior associate. This milestone marks an important occasion for the firm and is a testament to the dedication, expertise and exceptional leadership shown by Shafimana throughout his tenure with SNC Incorporated.
Gaining ground in East Africa Tanzania’s Rive & Co. is gaining even more ground in 2024 thanks to its recent merger with Sepia Attorney and Associates. Shehzada Walli told Africa Legal why he felt this was a good move.
International recognition for Ethiopian firm DABLO Law Firm has been recognised in The Legal 500 rankings as a leading law firm in Ethiopia. Africa Legal found out how the firm achieved this and what their plans are for the future.
Growing cooperation in Africa’s key growth market Earlier this month Bowmans announced a number of changes to its management structure. Kaijage Robert spoke to Michael Strain about his new role as managing partner in Tanzania.
Exchanging roles across borders To truly understand what another person experiences, it’s said you need to walk a mile in their shoes; secondments enable lawyers to do just that. Africa Legal spoke to one lawyer who’s benefitted from Alliott Global Alliance’s secondment programme, and his mentor.
Bowmans expands into Namibia Leading African law firm Bowmans has joined forces with Koep & Partners to establish a presence in Namibia, which is on the cusp of significant growth.
Charting new territories Newly rebranded ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode is aiming to reshape African legal services. Joke Aliu and Gbenga Oyebode spoke to Craig Sisterson about innovation and building bridges across the continent.
Joining forces to create a new legal powerhouse Africa has a new powerhouse at play in the legal sphere – Rive & Co. – which is poised to redefine the landscape of legal services in Tanzania and beyond.
Webber Wentzel shines at DealMakers Awards Webber Wentzel has once again showcased the firm’s remarkable expertise and dedication to providing excellent legal advice by earning several awards at the 2023 DealMakers Awards.
Preparing for a tech-forward tomorrow Webber Wentzel’s NewLaw and legal technology division has been expanded and rebranded as “Webber Wentzel Fusion”. This is the next step in the firm's innovation journey, following its five-year-long incubation of an alternative legal services centre and its early investment in artificial intelligence.
Bowmans expands its business rescue and insolvency capability Bowmans has expanded its South African business rescue, restructuring and insolvency (BR&I) capabilities in Johannesburg by appointing a team of six high-calibre lawyers specialising in the field. The new team supplements the firm’s Cape Town-based team.
A testament to excellence SNC Incorporated has achieved a significant milestone by being recognised in the IFLR1000, a prestigious guide to the world’s leading financial and corporate law firms. Shakwa Nyambe told Africa Legal how they achieved this.
Bowmans appoints Pride Jani as a partner Leading African law firm, Bowmans, has enhanced the breadth and depth of its offering in banking and finance with the appointment of Pride Jani as a partner in its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans introduces formal sustainability policy Sustainability is one of the buzzwords of the 21st century, but a leading African law firm, Bowmans, is walking the talk by being one of the first law firms on the continent to formally and publicly introduce a sustainability policy to inform its major decisions and actions.
Destined to lead Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa’s new CEO believes in thinking laterally, and responsibly testing boundaries. Annie Dorasamy spoke to Brent Botha about his plans for the firm.
Three new partners for TripleOKLaw LLP TripleOKLaw LLP, which recently marked its 20th anniversary, has announced the promotion of three new partners. This bodes well for the firm which has seen incredible growth in its reach through the Meritas Network across ten African countries and 94 countries worldwide.
Technology lawyer on a journey of evolution Jennifer Chimanga is the new Co-Head of Africa Group at Clifford Chance, a global law firm operating across five continents. She spoke to Paul Ogemba about her journey through M&A and technology law, and her vision to make Clifford Chance the best legal partner in Africa.
New partner for Bowmans Private Equity Practice Leading African law firm Bowmans is further strengthening its private equity presence through the appointment of Zingisa Motloba as partner in its Johannesburg office.
Coveted tax award win for SA firm Webber Wentzel’s excellence in providing in-depth and market-leading tax advice service has once again been recognised by the International Tax Review.
New Africa heads for Clifford Chance Jennifer Chimanga and Mustapha Mourahib will take over as co-heads of Clifford Chance’s Africa Group as of 1 October.
Boundless possibilities for Namibian firm Dentons’ newest African partner, Trevor Brockerhoff, is ready to harness the vast potential of the global firm’s platform. Alfred Olufemi spoke to Brockerhoff about his aspirations and the expectations he brings to the partnership.
CMS signs with Maputo-based firm CGA Global giant CMS recently announced the addition of a Mozambican firm to their stable. Couto, Graça e Associados Limitada (CGA), based in Maputo, will be known as “Couto, Graça e Associados, lda – member of CMS.”
More top talent for Beech Veltman Beech Veltman Inc. recently announced the appointment of mining expert Chantal Murdock as a new director.
New vision for a changing continent ENS, an African law firm that operates across the eastern, western and southern regions of Africa, has adopted a refreshed brand to visually underpin the firm’s business strategy.
Alliance celebrates 10-year anniversary In late 2012, Linklaters and Webber Wentzel signed a Collaboration Agreement, formalising a 40-year working relationship between the two leading firms. Africa Legal took a look at the award-winning alliance.
Embracing the benefits of generative AI Webber Wentzel is taking the lead on responsible artificial intelligence (AI) investment within the African legal landscape as part of its commitment to deliver an exceptional client experience and foster an open, creative and entrepreneurial culture.