Werksmans Attorneys > Johannesburg, South Africa > Firm Profile

Werksmans Attorneys > The Legal 500 Rankings

South Africa > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Werksmans Attorneys‘ ‘amazingly experienced‘ disputes team is ‘highly commended in cross-border litigation‘, and continues to handle a high volume of complex commercial disputes. Practice head Corlett Manaka ‘has vast litigation experience and knowledge‘, and is well versed in representing clients in aviation and commercial litigation, while Jennifer Smit advises on contentious construction matters, property disputes and prominent local and international arbitrations. Darren Willans specialises in pension fund litigation and insurance disputes. Rael Gootkin, who focuses on banking litigation, contentious insolvency matters and shareholder disputes, has ‘a formidable energy that takes no prisoners‘. Faith Sikhavhakhavha is ‘a seasoned litigator who always remains calm under pressure‘. David Hertz, Sarah Passmoor and Koketso Rapoo are key names to note.

South Africa > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

With experience in handling prominent transactions, M&A, corporate finance and complex takeovers, Kevin Trudgeon heads Werksmans Attorneys‘ practice. The ‘very solution-orientated‘ team has an excellent track record in handling a wide spectrum of corporate transactions, including restructurings and hostile bids. The client base includes insurance, mining, banking, telecoms and retail sector companies. Stephan Lochner handles BEE transactions, and banking and finance expert Elliott Wood advises on private equity matters and corporate restructurings. Wesley Vos is singled out for his contributions. Roelof Bonnet joined the department in February 2023.

South Africa > Competition Tier 2

Paul Coetser heads up the competition practice at Werksmans Attorneys, which is well known for assisting prominent domestic and international clients with the competition law aspects of M&A deals, competition litigation, and abuse of dominance claims. Rudolph Raath is a key name for carte; cases, while Ahmore Burger-Smidt calls upon significant regulatory expertise to advise telecoms, IT and e-commerce clients on compliance work, as well as merger approvals. Nyiko Mathebula is active on prohibited practices matters. In 2023 Petra Krusche retired, and Nkonzo Hlatshwayo and Phuti Mashalane joined the department.

South Africa > Employment Tier 2

At Werksmans Attorneys, the ‘very thorough‘ labour and employment team stands out for its strength in assisting prominent domestic and multinational clients with restructuring pension funds, employment contracts and collective bargaining issues, alongside advising on the implementation of employment policies. Practice head Sandile July is a specialist in litigation and labour law, and Jacques van Wyk advises on executive terminations, corporate restructurings and the employment aspects of M&A transactions. Bradley Workman-Davies acts on pension cases, and Andre Van Heerden advises on restraints of trade issues, dismissals claims and employment-related dispute resolution. Nonkosazana Nkosi is singled out for her contributions to the practice group.

South Africa > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Werksmans Attorneys‘ projects and infrastructure practice houses ‘a well rounded team with extensive expertise‘. IPP and PPP procurement projects have been prominent in the group’s workload, and the department has a solid track record in handling infrastructure projects across the water, mining, energy, defence, road and rail sectors. Practice head Chris Moraitis has experience in advising on infrastructure project matters and public-private partnerships, and leverages his expertise in banking to assist with project and limited resource financing matters. Astrid Berman advises on all areas of infrastructure projects. Jonathan Behr‘s expertise spans private IPP projects, project development matters and energy-focused financing transactions.

South Africa > Tax Tier 2

With an excellent track record in advising corporates and high-net-worth individuals and families on international tax planning, Michael Honiball heads Werksmans Attorneys‘ tax practice. Key pillars of strength for the department include assisting with the tax aspects of business rescue, private equity, inbound and outbound investments and estate planning, and members are often instructed in tax litigation. Ernest Mazansky is a highly regarded practitioner in the space, with expertise encompassing corporate tax planning, exchange control, restructurings and share incentive schemes. Doelie Lessing has a strong reputation in tax matters in relation to cross-border share incentive arrangements and multi-jurisdictional investments.

South Africa > Banking and finance Tier 3

Elliott Wood heads Werksmans Attorneys’ banking and finance practice, which is well known for representing major financial institutions, domestic and international banks and clients drawn from a range of sectors, including agriculture, commodities, retail and healthcare, in high-value debt refinancings, asset finance matters, acquisition and leveraged finance mandates, and project and limited recourse finance work. Richard Roothman ‘has vast experience and a depth of expertise in all areas of banking and finance‘, and Laura Alexander acts for lenders and borrowers in preference shared transactions and corporate debt restructurings. The department was bolstered by the arrival of Jenni Darling in March 2023.

South Africa > Intellectual property Tier 3

Werksmans Attorneys’ team of ‘consummate professionals‘ works in tandem with the firm’s wider litigation and commercial departments, and is well known for advising on domain name disputes, cross-border transactions, IP portfolio management and the protection of IP rights. Practice head Janine Hollesen specialises in IP law; Donvay Wegierski leads the department’s foreign trade mark division. Dannielle Fiff and Monique le Roux are also praised for their contributions.

South Africa > Investment funds Tier 3

Werksmans Attorneys’ investment funds team, headed by Shayne Krige, is well versed in advising on a broad spectrum of investment funds work, including private equity and hedge fund mandates, as well as their interactions with the pensions industry. The department has particular strength in acting for investors, and has a solid track record in assisting with contentious matters. Robert Driman advises on the regulatory aspects of investment funds, and Doelie Lessing handles tax-related issues. Hilah Laskov and Mbongiseni Hlongwana have key roles in the team.

South Africa > Mining Tier 3

At Werksmans Attorneys, the mining practice has been kept busy advising on transactions, disposals, dispute resolution and environmental matters. Department head Chris Stevens has established strength in advising on mining title registrations and transactional work. Kyra South assists local and international mining companies with a broad range of matters. Natalie Scott is also a key practitioner to note.

South Africa > Real estate Tier 3

At Werksmans Attorneys, high-value property transactions have been prominent in the team’s recent workload. The property and real estate department is well-known for representing private and individual property developers, REITs, investors and banks in commercial property transactions and development mandates, as well as acting for clients in the hotel and leisure and retail sectors. Fátima Rodrigues‘ practice includes property finance, acquisitions and disposals; she co-leads the group with Johan Lubbe, who assists with the registration of mortgage bonds and transfers of property ownership, among other areas. Khathu Neluheni is also singled out for her contributions.

South Africa > Construction Tier 4

Jennifer Smit heads Werksmans Attorneys‘ construction and engineering practice, which draws upon the expertise of the firm’s mining and infrastructure and energy groups to assist contractors, sub-contractors and employers with contentious construction matters. Deon Griessel and Boitumelo Rammala are names to note.