The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Werksmans Attorneys is a second tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys is expert in debt capital markets and project finance, and is also an acknowledged leader in securitisations and convertible bonds, areas in which Richard Roothman has a fine reputation.

Within Competition, Werksmans Attorneys is a second tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys continues to develop its competition law credentials under the leadership of ‘safe pair of hands’ Paul Coetser. The team worked on a series of merger approvals and also represented Telkom in an abuse of dominance prosecution by the Competition Commission.

Within Corporate and M&A, Werksmans Attorneys is a first tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys’ substantial team remains at the forefront of M&A deals in South Africa and across the continent. The practice acted for Glencore International on its takeover of Optimum Coal Holdings, and also advised ACTOM (formerly Alstom) on its acquisition of Savcio. Gareth Driver is one of South Africa’s foremost corporate lawyers. Other senior names include Kevin Trudgeon and David Walker.

Within Dispute resolution, Werksmans Attorneys is a first tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys acts in important mining and natural resources disputes, and recently represented Aberdeen Investments against Simmer & Jack in a case concerning the interpretation of a loan agreement. Eminent litigators David Hertz and Des Williams are recommended, as is Eric Levenstein.

Within Intellectual property, Werksmans Attorneys is a third tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys has a fine record in the media, retail, sports and wine industries, and has strong expertise in contentious IP matters. It represents many of South Africa’s leading brand names. Stuart Gardiner has ‘a good reputation’, and Janine Hollesen is also highly regarded.

Within Labour and employment, Werksmans Attorneys is a second tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys’ practice spans transactions, disputes and compliance. The firm has been closely involved in major strike actions, such as representing Murray & Roberts in a mass dismissal dispute involving 3,000 employees. Immensely experienced department head Anastasia Vatalidis is supported Bradley Workman-Davies and Jacques van Wyk.

Within Mining, Tabacks is a third tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys substantially reinforced its mining credentials when it recruited regulatory expert Chris Stevens from Tabacks. He joined a potent commercial M&A team that features Gareth Driver, David Walker and Kevin Trudgeon. The team advised Glencore International on its purchase of a stake in Umcebo Mining, and represented Gold Fields Operations in a R13bn claim brought by Rand Gold & Exploration Company. Shaun Teichner is now in-house counsel at Glencore.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Werksmans Attorneys is a second tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys has a solid record in projects and infrastructure, thanks in part to the efforts of leading figure Richard Roothman. The team, which has worked on a series of PPPs, recently advised Absa Capital as lead arranger to the Imvelo consortium on the PPP financing transaction to develop the Department of Environmental Affairs’ new head office.

Within Tax, Werksmans Attorneys is a second tier firm,

Werksmans Attorneys’ excellent standing in the market is largely down to the presence of the highly experienced Ernest Mazansky, who has good support from Doelie Lessing and Patrick McGurk. The team recently advised MerTech Group on tax aspects of a private equity investment and the creation of a short-term insurance business.