The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

The absorption of Deneys Reitz gives Norton Rose South Africa exceptional domestic and international credibility in the acquisition and project finance and debt capital markets arenas. Highlights included acting for the Airports Company South Africa on its R15.6bn credit facility provided by Agence Française De Developpement to extend and upgrade ACSA’s airports. Riza Moosa heads this team of ‘highly skilled’ and ‘exceptional’ lawyers, and has ‘excellent knowledge, drafting and negotiation skills’. Other recommended individuals include Jackie Midlane, who is ‘extremely diligent’ and ‘works very well under pressure’; acquisition and leveraged finance expert Mark Kyle, who is ‘very thorough and hardworking’; and ‘lawyer of choice’ for debt capital markets, Jackie King.

Within Competition, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa is making considerable headway, thanks in part to the efforts of ‘experienced and forthright’ department head Heather Irvine, who has appeared in a series of important cases. These include the Nutri-Flo fertiliser cartel case, which resulted in the dismissal of a complaint against client Omnia Holdings. The firm also acted for three government ministers in an appeal and review of the Competition Tribunal’s decision on the acquisition of Massmart by Wal-Mart. Rosalind Lake is considered to be ‘very efficient, thorough and knowledgeable’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa’s standing is on the up, thanks in part to the eminence and experience of Kevin Cron and other talented individuals such as Ross Lomax. Cron and his team recently acted for Sappi on its R814m sale of a 30% stake to a BEE consortium. He also advised FirstRand on the R450m acquisition of Barnard Jacobs Mellet Holdings through a scheme of arrangement. The practice has core expertise in mining and financial services, and benefits from a leading pan-Africa practice and global resources.

Within Dispute resolution, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa is the market leader in insurance and mining litigation, and also has the depth of expertise at senior and junior level to handle broader commercial litigation. Clients note the ‘good teamwork’ and ‘highly professional level of service’, and regard it as the ‘pre-eminent firm in professional indemnity cases’. Recommended partners include the ‘professional’ Michael Hart; Donald Dinnie, who is recommended for his medical malpractice and construction liability expertise; John Neaves, for policy coverage matters; the ‘excellent’ Rob Otty; Tony Hardie, who is ‘highly regarded in the insurance industry’; Aslam Moosajee, who is ‘highly knowledgeable on banking matters’; Pierre Naude, for his experience in aviation insurance litigation; and commercial litigator Jeffrey Kron.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Intellectual property boutique D M Kisch has a tremendous track record for trade marks and patents, and has appeared in many of South Africa’s headline cases. Despite Brian Wimpey’s move to Norton Rose South Africa, the firm fields an impressive team that includes patent expert Nico Vermaak and trade mark specialists Derek Momberg and Andre van der Merwe.

Within Investment funds, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Miles ahead of the rest’, Norton Rose South Africa provides ‘brilliant service’ to clients including Absa Alternative Asset Management, AIG Global Emerging Markets, CDC Group and RMB Asset Management. Practice head Lance Roderick recently advised Catalyst Principal Partners on establishing Catalyst Fund I, a fund focused on investments in East African services and consumer goods. Gareth Weston gives ‘impeccable service’, and has ‘very good industry knowledge’.

Within Labour and employment, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa’s ‘excellent’ group is one of the largest labour and employment practices in South Africa. Its senior figures include Joe Mothibi, Murray Alexander, Hermann Nieuwoudt, Sbu Gule and Brian Denny, who is singled out for his ‘passion for his clients’. Industry strengths include food, transport, mining and resources, and financial services. The firm recently advised BP South Africa on a major restructuring exercise.

Within Legal market overview,

South Africa witnessed two significant developments concerning international firms in 2011: Deneys Reitz Inc became Norton Rose South Africa in June; and Dewey & LeBoeuf (PTY) Limited recruited seven partners from Werksmans Attorneys, a bold move that put it on the South African map.

Within Mining, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa is part of a firm with a long and prestigious history in the mining sector internationally, and its Deneys Reitz Inc heritage gives it something similar domestically. Michael Dale is ‘a doyen of mining law in South Africa’, and recently acted for Anglo Platinum and its subsidiary Rustenburg Platinum Mines in judicial review applications relating to the Modikwa Deeps and Rooderand platinum reserves. On the financing front, Jackie Midlane led the team that advised Investec Bank on the acquisition financing of Rand Uranium’s sale to Gold One Africa and New Kleinfontein Goldmine.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa’s Jackie Midlane and Julian Jackson have been highly active in IPP matters. Jackson recently represented a South African developer in establishing a renewable energy facility in the Northern Cape. Gavin Noeth is also recommended.

Within Shipping, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose South Africa fields a team of transport specialists in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town that includes master mariner Malcolm Hartwell. The firm acts for a range of insurers, underwriters, P&I clubs and shipowners in major casualty cases in the region. Hartwell, Andrew Robinson and Matthew Ash are recommended.

Within Tax, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Andrew Wellsted and Peter Surtees are the primary tax lawyers at Norton Rose South Africa following Ernie Lai King’s move to ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) in 2011. Its expertise includes tax advice relating to financing and mining, as well as indirect taxation.