Werksmans Attorneys > Johannesburg, South Africa > Firm Profile
Werksmans Attorneys Offices
THE CENTRAL, 96 RIVONIA ROAD
SANDTON
JOHANNESBURG 2196
South Africa
Werksmans Attorneys > The Legal 500 Rankings
South Africa > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Werksmans Attorneys has an impressive track record in high-profile commercial litigations and disputes in the High Court, Supreme Court of Appeals and Constitutional Court, as well as conducting arbitrations domestically and internationally. Business rescue and insolvency mandates and tax litigation are also within the team’s capabilities. Sectors of focus for the group include IT, agriculture, banking, healthcare, retail and energy. Corlett Manaka is head of the department and reputable in the constitutional and administrative law space, as well as business crime and investigations work. Chairman of the firm David Hertz
is a strong litigator and Des Williams is also notable in litigation and international arbitration. Other team members include shareholder dispute expert Jones Antunes , land reform specialist Bulelwa Mabasa , pensions litigator Darren Willans and construction and engineering lawyer Sarah Moerane .Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
South African Reserve Bank
Public Investment Corporation
Telkom SA
Industrial Development Corporation
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa
Steinhoff Africa Holdings
Redefine
Gold Fields Operations
EOH Mthombo
Sibanye-Stillwater
Sanlam
SGB Africa
FirstRand Bank
Medscheme Holdings
N3 Toll Concessions
International Commodity Trader
International Chemical Company
Work highlights
- Representing Telkom SA in a review application that it has launched against the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa concerning several proposed spectrum tenders.
- Representing the Prudential Authority in an application launched against it and the Constantia Group of Companies for reconsideration of the Prudential Authority’s decision relating to the conversion of insurance licences under the new Insurance Act at the newly established Financial Services Tribunal.
- Representing Gold Fields in an action in which the plaintiffs have claimed payment of certain amounts which the plaintiffs assert constitute damages in respect of shares allegedly stolen directly or indirectly by various individuals, two groups of whom are alleged to have constituted the directing and controlling minds of JCI and Gold Fields respectively, and the conduct of which groups of individuals is alleged to be attributable to each of JCI and Gold Fields as joint wrongdoers.
South Africa > Banking and finance Tier 2
The banking and finance team at Werksmans Attorneys counts major financial institutions and banks from across South Africa and beyond in its client portfolio. The practice has a wide ranging offering, covering matters including syndicated and bilateral finance, leveraged and acquisition finance and structured finance. Commodity and trade finance is also a strength of the team, in addition to debt capital markets transactions, securitisations and debt restructuring. Richard Roothman is head of the department with expertise in bilateral and syndicated loan transactions. Director Danny Andropoulos handles preference share transactions, acting for lenders and borrowers.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Absa Group
Absa Corporate and Investment Bank
Redinkcapital
Bidvest Group
Investec Bank
Nedbank
Rand Merchant Bank
Reichmans
Standard Bank
Shoprite Holdings
Shoprite Investments
South African Reserve Bank
Transaction Capital Risk Services
Tronox Mineral Sands
Vantage Capital
Africa Frontier Capital
Capital Harvest
Investec Property Fund
Work highlights
- Advised IPF and IPFO in connection with the funding of IPFO’s increased shareholding in a Pan-European Logistics Property Platform.
- Acted as legal counsel to the consortium of South African and international banks and other lenders in connection with certain loan facilities provided to the Edcon Group of companies.
- Acted as legal counsel to Investec Bank in connection with a number of credit facilities made available to Vox Telecommunications and the restructuring of existing debt facilities.
South Africa > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
At Werksmans Attorneys, Kevin Trudgeon leads the commercial side of the department and Gerhard Johannes heads up the corporate and M&A practice. the team acts for both public and private clients across sectors such as mining, retail, telecommunications, banking and insurance in domestic and cross-border corporate mergers, private equity mandates, takeovers and restructurings. Its involvement in BEE transactions, environmental compliance and business rescue cases is also on the rise, and regulatory mandates are also within the team’s strong capabilities. David Gewer is especially strong in mining-related M&A matters.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Absa Bank
Arcelormittal South Africa
Berkshire Partners LLC
Bidvest Group
Bid Corporation
Blue Label Telecoms
Brother Industrial SA
Brikor
Capitalworks Fund II SPV Partnership
Equity Partnership II
Clover Industries
Comair
Endo International PLC
Glencore PLC
Hammerson PLC
Investec
Isuzu Motors
Kerry Group PLC
Long4Life
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Nissan South Africa
Peregrine Holdings
Samancor Chrome
Sasfin Bank
Shoprite
Standard Bank
Steinhoff International Holdings
Textainer
The Prepaid Company Proprietary Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the Independent Board of Peregrine on their response to a take-over offer.
- Advised Comair Limited in relation to the transaction contemplated by the business rescue plan which entails the acquisition of 99% of the shareholding in Comair by a consortium of investors.
- Acted for 4Racing in concluding a series of agreements with Phumelela Gaming and Leisure and various other members of the PGL group of companies, in terms of which, 4Racing will acquire from PGL the horse racing, media production and distribution of horse racing products and tote betting business conducted by PGL and certain fixed odds betting licences and immovable properties from other members of the PGL Group.
South Africa > Competition Tier 2
A core part of Werksmans Attorneys‘ competition practice involves advising domestic and multinational corporate companies with merger-related mandates. Additionally, it handles contested merger and antitrust litigation, including defending clients against abuse of dominance allegations before the Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal, with particular emphasis on the telecommunications, technology, internet and media sectors. The team is also active in cartel investigations and compliance training. The experienced competition expert Paul Coetser leads the group with strengths in litigation especially.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Axa S.A.
American Towers Corporation
Bidvest Group
Blue Label Telecommunications
Cape Fruit Processors
Cardtronics PLC
Comair
Credit Suisse Group AG
Distell
Glencore International AG
Investec
Isuzu Motors
Macsteel Global S.A.R.L. BV
Mobile Telephone Networks
MTN Group
MultiChoice
Naspers Group and its subsidiaries
PG Bison
RH Managers
Samancor Chrome
Samsung Electronics
Shoprite Checkers
Steinhoff
Telkom SA SOC
Tupperware Corporation
Volvo Financial Services LLC
Waco Africa
Work highlights
- Represented Media24 successfully regarding the Competition Commission’s allegations of abuse of dominance by predating on an independent community newspaper in the Goldfields region.
- Advised Comair and its business rescue practitioners regarding a newly formed consortium of investors’ acquisition of 99% of Comair’s shareholding for a total debt and equity package of ca ZAR1.725bn.
- Represented MultiChoice and Electronic Media Network in the Inquiry into Subscription Broadcasting Services by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
South Africa > Employment Tier 2
The labour and employment team at Werksmans Attorneys has a robust record in advising corporate clients on employment issues such as health and safety and pensions, with a focus on contentious work. A significant proportion of the work undertaken by the team involves advising multinational clients on the appointment and termination of executives and restructuring of local operations. Anastasia Vatalidis is the head of the labour and employment practice, with particular expertise in dispute resolution and issues relating to corporate transactions and restructurings.
Practice head(s):
Anastasia Vatalidis
Other key lawyers:
Sandile July; Jacques van Wyk; Bradley Workman-Davies
Key clients
Adcock Ingram Healthcare Proprietary Limited
Siemens AG
Eli Lilly SA Proprietary Limited
Worley RSA Proprietary Limited
Aspen Pharmacare Proprietary Limited
Investec Limited
Mobile Telephone Networks
Puma Energy Services South Africa
Discovery Life Limited
South African Airways (SOC) Limited
PWC
South African Reserve Bank
Steinhoff Properties Pty Ltd
Tronox Incorporated
Railway Safety Regulator
Industrial Development Corporation
South African Forestry Company Limited
PRASA Metrorail Western Cape
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
National Commissioner of SAPS
Sanlam Life Insurance Limited
Gauteng Office of the Premier
AON
Astral Operations Limited
APL Cartons (Pty) Ltd
Oppenheimer Generations Custodian SA (Pty) Ltd
Gautrain Management Agency
Civil Aviation Authority
City of Johannesburg (COJ)
Tiber Construction Proprietary Limited
Lounics International
PPC Limited
Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd
Distell (Pty) Ltd
Group 5 Construction Proprietary Limited
Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd
Bidvest Group Limited
Department of Employment and Labour
Santam Limited
Software AG South Africa Proprietary Limited
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings
Caterpillar Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited
Redefine Properties
Land Bank
Royal Canin
Discovery Limited
EOH Limited
South African National Parks
Air Traffic Navigation Service
South Africa > Mining Tier 2
Werksmans Attorneys caters to mining clients based in North America, Europe and Australia, in addition to South African mining houses and black economic empowerment mining companies. The team is adept at acting for clients in M&A transactions, health and safety matters, disputes and statutory and regulatory compliance mandates. It also advises on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002, the Mining Charter, black economic empowerment and environmental law and waste management. Chris Stevens is head of the practice and he is supported by director and financing expert David Gewer, transactional lawyer Steven Lochner and director and disputes lawyer Kathleen Louw, Director Athi Jara joined the team from Gwina Attorneys in March 2021.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Glencore South Africa
Seriti Power
Samancor Chrome
Petra Diamonds
Gold Fields
Assmang Proprietary
Thungela Resources
Mbuyelo Coal
Tronox
ArcelorMittal
Assore
Rustenburg Platinum Mines
Samancor Manganese
Londani Coal
Sebilo Resources
Nkwe Platinum
Ntsimbintle Mining
Work highlights
- Represented South 32 in a matter which involved High Court litigation against the DMR granting the refusal of mining rights.
- Advised Andalusite Resources regarding the sale of its entire business to ARM Andalusite pursuant to the seller’s business rescue plan approving such sale.
- Advised Oakwood Trading 21 on the disposal of its entire shareholding in Coza Mining.
South Africa > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2
Chris Moraitis leads the infrastructure, energy and projects team at Werksmans Attorneys with particular expertise in toll road and transportation infrastructure projects. The department has the expertise to advise clients across a range of projects, including those in the road, rail, water, energy, defence, technology and mining sectors. Developers, sponsors and lenders are all within its client roster, and the firm assists them on the corporate, compliance and financing elements of projects. Deon Griessel is active in completing the EPC contract aspects of projects and transactions.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BAIC CA
Standard Bank
Absa Bank
CRI Eagle Investments
Gautrain Management Agency
Korea Electric Power Corporation
Old Mutual Life Assurance Company
Nedbank
Panda Hill Tanzania
Public Investment Corporation
Raubex
South African National Roads Agency SOC
Vestas
WBHO Construction
Work highlights
- Advising Standard Bank, IFC, Nedbank as the senior lenders in respect of the Mulilo Total Coega Project and Mulilo Total Hydra Storage Project which are both preferred bidders under the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme.
- Representing SANRAL with respect to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project including amendments to the requisite legislation to facilitate open road tolling and optimal and effective law enforcement and the procurement of an open road tolling system and a national clearing house.
- Representing WBHO on the Kopanong Precinct PPP Project for the procurement of private party consortia to deliver and manage the cluster buildings under a PPP procurement of serviced accommodation in the Kopanong Precinct.
South Africa > Real estate Tier 2
The real estate team at Werksmans Attorneys spans across three offices in Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Johannesburg, and represents major South African property developers and financial institutions on a broad range of matters. These include property development, M&A, disposals in the hotel and leisure sector, and transactions involving retail and commercial property. Also of note is the department’s significant involvement in the creation of Section 12J Investment structures. Hendrik Kotze in Stellenbosch and Fátima Rodrigues in Johannesburg jointly lead the practice.Practice head(s):
Key clients
ABSA Capital
Berman Bros. Property Developers
Bigen Africa Project Management
Business Partners
Castle Estates
CRI Eagle Investments
Distell
Hirt and Carter
Intaprop Property Development and Investment
Proprietary
Investec Bank
Investec Property Fund
Investec Property
National Research Foundation
Nedbank
New Property Ventures
Omnigro Property Developers
Omwieco
Oxford Parks
Pepkor Holdings
Pioneer Limited and Quantum Food Holdings
Redefine Properties
Redford Advisory Services
RMB Private Bank
Rouxcor
Shoprite Holdings
The Standard Bank of South Africa
Standard Bank Properties
Steyn City Properties
The Capital Group Apartments and Hotels
V&A Waterfront Holdings
Vantage Property Developers
Waterfall Management Company
West Property Fund
Westbrooke 2018 Stac
Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management
Westbrooke ALTO
Westbrooke Capital Hospitality
Westbrooke Capital Partners
Westbrooke 2019 Stac
Work highlights
- Advising Castle Estates on the proposed new large scale mixed use development along the West Coast (Vredenburg/ Saladanah Bay Municipality district).
- Assisted West Property Fund in all aspects of the establishment of this South African property fund and recently assisted with the establishment of their UK property fund.
- Advised Investec Bank Limited on its acquisition of all of the shares in Omwieco, the owner of a large scale mixed use property development
South Africa > Tax Tier 2
Chartered accountant Ernest Mazansky leads the tax department at Werksmans Attorneys. The practice advises large corporates and high-net-worth individuals and families on mandates both within South Africa and internationally. The tax aspects of commercial dealings, private equity, black economic empowerment transactions and restructurings, as well as tax-related disputes, are all within the team’s strong capabilities. Michael Honiball is head of the firm’s international tax group and Doelie Lessing is notable in the tax and investment funds and private equity arena.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Clover Industries
Dairy Farmers of SA
Evolution Property Management
Investec Bank
King Price Financial Services
Macsteel Holdings Luxembourg SARL BV.
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Pepkor Trading
Qorus Software
Shoprite Holdings
SMD Technologies
Stockdale Street
Safika Holdings
Transaction Capital
Zenprop Property Holdings
Work highlights
- Advised Transaction Capital in respect of the subscription for 49.9% of the ordinary shares in WeBuyCars.
- Advised a private equity investment group on the proposed acquisition of a major stake in a listed company.
- Advised individuals, who are South African residents but citizens of EU country and hold their assets jointly, who chose to unwind certain offshore arrangements and transfer and resettle assets and settle claims.
South Africa > Intellectual property Tier 3
Werksmans Attorneys' IP team supports the firm’s commercial and general litigation practices as well as advising on IP due diligence investigations among other work. Janine Hollesen heads the IP practice area and Donvay Wegierski leads the foreign trademark division handling multi-jurisdictional matters.Practice head(s):
Janine Hollesen
Other key lawyers:
Donvay Wegierski
Key clients
Capitec Bank Limited
Clover S.A. Proprietary Limited
Comair Limited
Diverse Flavours CC
Groot Constantia Trust
Media24 Proprietary Limited
Monster Beverages
Pepkor Limited
Petredec International Pte Limited
Pioneer Foods (Pty) Limited, Pepsico
Santam Limited
Sharenet Investments (Pty) Limited
Shopify Inc
Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Limited
South African Rugby Union
Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust
Swartland Winery
Technopharma Limited
Tekkie Town Proprietary
Telkom SOC Limited
Quantum Foods Proprietary Limited
Work highlights
- Acted on behalf of Monster Energy in numerous trademark oppositions throughout Africa.
- Represented Pepkor Speciality (Pty) Ltd in a trademark infringement and passing off.
- Appointed as the attorneys for the Irish and British Lions Tour taking place in July/August 2021 and drafted a strategic branding policy to include counterfeit goods and ticketing.
South Africa > Investment funds Tier 3
The investment funds and private equity team at Werksmans Attorneys is chaired by Shayne Krige from Cape Town. Investors and managers in South Africa and across the continent are within the group’s client roster, and private equity, hedge funds and pensions funds are all active areas for the practice. Robert Driman in Cape Town holds expertise in financial services and regulation and Doelie Lessing in Stellenbosch is an expert in tax law. Hilah Laskov was promoted to director in March 2021. Krige is connected to the EU market, having spent over a decade practicing in Paris.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Stonewood Holdings
Barak Fund Management
Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund
Nomura
Standard Bank
Chase & Willow Investment Partners
Citadel
CNBB Venture Partners
Cosnova Cosmetix
Havaic Venture Capital
Arx Pangaia
Ngewdi Investment Managers
Prescient
King Price Insurance
Mergon
Sana Partners Private Equity
Kapela Investments Holdings
Vumela Enterprise Development Fund Trust
First National Bank
King & Wood Mallesons LLP
Palladino Holdings
BI Tech Consulting
Simple.Capital Partners
Malcolm Neil Campbell in his capacity as the curator of Die Vrystaat Munisipale Pensioenfonds
Work highlights
- Advised the principals of the Belvedere Group, who are accused by the press of administering a large Ponzi scheme.
- Acting for Barak Fund Management in relation to the restructuring of a suite of investment funds in the wake of COVID-19.
- Acting for the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund in respect of its rights under a limited partnership agreement in respect of a private equity fund in which the client invested.
Werksmans Attorneys > Firm Profile
The firm: Established in the early 1900s, Werksmans Attorneys is a leading South African corporate and commercial law firm, serving multinationals, listed companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and government.
Operating in Gauteng and the Western Cape, the firm is connected to an extensive African legal alliance through LEX Africa. LEX Africa was established in 1993 as the first and largest African legal alliance and offers huge potential for Werksmans’ clients seeking to do business on the continent by providing a gateway to Africa.
Areas of practice: With a formidable track record in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, and commercial litigation and dispute resolution, Werksmans is distinguished by the people, clients and work that it attracts and retains. Werksmans’ more than 200 lawyers are a powerful team of independent-minded individuals who share a common service ethos. The firm’s success is built on a solid foundation of insightful and innovative deal structuring and legal advice, a keen ability to understand business and economic imperatives and a strong focus on achieving the best legal outcome for clients.
Go to www.werksmans.com for more information.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of Banking & Finance | Richard Roothman | rroothman@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8115 |
| Head of Insolvency, Business Rescue and Restructuring | Eric Levenstein | elevenstein@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8237 |
| Head of Competition | Paul Coetser | pcoetser@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8290 |
| Head of Labour & Employment | Anastasia Vatalidis | avatalidis@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8472 |
| Head of Business Crimes & Investigations | Bernard Hotz | bhotz@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8106 |
| Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences | Neil Kirby | nkirby@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8198 |
| Head of Investment Funds & Private Equity | Shayne Krige | skrige@werksmans.com | +27 21 405 5161 |
| Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution | Corlett Manaka | cmanaka@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8145 |
| Chairman | David Hertz | dhertz@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8283 |
| Head of Construction & Engineering | Jason Smit | jasonsmit@werksmans.com | +27 (0)11 535 8359 |
| Head of Commercial | Kevin Trudgeon | ktrudgeon@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8169 |
| Head of Corporate M&A | Gerhard Johannes | gjohannes@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8107 |
| Head of Mining, Environmental & Resources | Chris Stevens | cstevens@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8467 |
| Head of Property & Real Estate (Johannesburg) | Fatima Rodrigues | frodrigues@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8318 |
| Head of Property & Real Estate (Western Cape) | Hendrik Kotze | hkotze@werksmans.com | +27 21 910 9018 |
| Head of Tax | Ernest Mazansky | emazansky@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8448 |
| Head of Arbitration | Des Williams | dwilliams@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8234 |
| Head of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment | Pieter Steyn | psteyn@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8296 |
| Head of Data Privacy | Ahmore Burger-Smidt | aburgersmidt@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8462 |
| Head of Infrastructure, Energy & Projects | Chris Moraitis | cmoraitis@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8271 |
| Head of Intellectual Property | Janine Hollesen | jhollesen@werksmans.com | +27 21 809 6011 |
| Head of Land Reform Restitution & Tenure | Bulelwa Mabasa | bmabasa@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8309 |
| Head of Media, Communications & Technology | Wendy Rosenberg | wrosenberg@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8195 |
| Head of Pro Bono | Harold Jacobs | hjacobs@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8182 |
| Chief Executive Officer | Jeremy Botha | jbotha@werksmans.com | +27 11 535 8262 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mr Lloyd Abraham | Director | View Profile |
 | Ms Laura Alexander | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Danny Andropoulos | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Jones Antunes | Director | View Profile |
 | Ms Lisa Appelgryn | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Robyn Armstrong | Tax | View Profile |
 | Mr Dominique Arteiro | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Tahera Bata | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Lauren Becker | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Jonathan Behr | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Erich Bell | Director, Werksmans Tax (Pty) Ltd | View Profile |
 | Ms Astrid Berman | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Nozipho Bhengu | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Akhona Bilatyi | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Ze'ev Blieden | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Trevor Boswell | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Marné Brönn | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Pierre Burger | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Ahmore Burger-Smidt | Director, Head of Data Privacy Practice, Werksmans Advisory Services | View Profile |
 | Mr Paul Cleland | Director at Werksmans Attorneys since 2009. | View Profile |
 | Mr Paul Coetser | Director, Head of Competition Practice at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Cari Cole-Morgan | Director, Head of the Knowledge Management at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Kerry Fredericks | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Kyle Fyfe | Senior Associates | View Profile |
 | Ms Simone Gast | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr David Gewer | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Jeremy Gobetz | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Cara Gow | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Deon Griessel | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Nastascha Harduth | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr David Hertz | David Hertz is the Chairman of Werksmans Attorneys. | View Profile |
 | Ms Lucinda Hinxman | Director | View Profile |
 | Professor Michael Honiball | Director, Head of International Tax | View Profile |
 | Ms Vivienne Hosiosky | Vivienne Hosiosky is a Director in the Property & Real Estate practice… | View Profile |
 | Mr Bernard Hotz | Director Bernard Hotz is Head of the Business Crimes & Investigations practice… | View Profile |
 | Mr Harold Jacobs | Director, Head of Pro Bono Practice at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Tracy Jansen van Rensburg | Director at Werksmans since 2010 | View Profile |
 | Mr Gerhard Johannes | Director Gerhard Johannes is Head of Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions | View Profile |
 | Mr Sandile July | Director Sandile July is a deeply experienced lawyer, advising in the Labour… | View Profile |
 | Ms Jacqui Kallmeyer | Jacqui Kallmeyer has been a director at Werksmans since 2008 and is… | View Profile |
 | Mr Sakhile Khumalo | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Ryan Killoran | Ryan Killoran is a Director in the Tax practice area. He specialises… | View Profile |
 | Mr Neil Kirby | Director Neil Kirby is Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences. | View Profile |
 | Ms Tsakani Kona | Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Clarisa Laltha | Associate | View Profile |
 | Dr Eric Levenstein | Director, Head of Insolvency, Business Rescue & Restructuring Practice | View Profile |
 | Ms Megan Livingstone | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Stephan Lochner | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Kathleen Louw | Kathleen Louw has been a Director at Werksmans Attorneys in the Litigation… | View Profile |
 | Ms Bulelwa Mabasa | Bulelwa Mabasa has been a Director at Werksmans since 2008 and is… | View Profile |
 | Ms Khosi Mabaso | Khosi Mabaso has been a director at Werksmans Attorneys since 2009, working… | View Profile |
 | Ms Danielle Magidson | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Reneilwe Maleka | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Corlett Manaka | Corlett Manaka is a director at Werksmans and a member of the… | View Profile |
 | Ms Mariam Marquard | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Ernest Mazansky | Ernest Mazansky is a director of Werksmans (Pty) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary… | View Profile |
 | Ms Helen Michael | Director | View Profile |
 | Ms Innocentia Moele | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Sarah Moerane | Sarah Moerane is a Director at Werksmans. | View Profile |
 | Mr Toka Moiloa | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Refilwe Moitse | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Chris Moraitis | Director, Head of Infrastructure, Energy & Projects Practice | View Profile |
 | Mr Peter Mosebo | Peter Mosebo has been a Director at Werksmans, working in the firm’s… | View Profile |
 | Ms Naledi Motsiri | View Profile | |
 | Mr Alliance Ndhlovu | Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Khathu Neluheni | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Anele Ngidi | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Ms Zania Oosthuizen | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Seroshan Padayachy | Appointed as a Director of Werksmans Attorneys in 2015. | View Profile |
 | Ms Monique Pansegrouw | Director Monique Pansegrouw advises across four practice areas: Arbitration; Construction & Engineering;… | View Profile |
 | Ms Bronwyn Parker | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Sarah Passmoor | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Mohammed Patel | Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Daniela Pisanti | Daniela Pisanti has been a Director at Werksmans Attorneys since 2016. | View Profile |
 | Ms Taryn Potter | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Brian Price | Director at Werksmans | View Profile |
 | Mr Adam Pyzikowski | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Rudolph Raath | Rudolph Raath has been a Director at Werksmans, working in the firm’s… | View Profile |
 | Mr Kamiel Rajah | Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Aarthi Ramdhin | Aarthi is a Director in the Banking & Finance and Corporate Mergers… | View Profile |
 | Ms Boitumelo Rammala | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Yatheen Ramnath | Associate | View Profile |
 | Ms Fatima Rodrigues | Director, Head of Property and Real Estate Practice | View Profile |
 | Mr Simba Rodze | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Richard Roothman | Richard was appointed a director of Werksmans in 2007 and heads the… | View Profile |
 | Ms Wendy Rosenberg | Director of Werksmans Attorneys since 2007 | View Profile |
 | Ms Natalie Scott | Natalie Scott joined Werksmans Attorneys as a director in 2013 and works… | View Profile |
 | Ms Tebogo Sibidla | Tebogo Sibidla has been a director at Werksmans Attorneys since 2011 and… | View Profile |
 | Ms Lisa Silberman | Lisa Silberman is a Director in the Dispute Resolution and Insolvency, Business… | View Profile |
 | Ms Samantha Sinden | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Jason Smit | Jason is the Head of the firm’s construction and engineering practice. He… | View Profile |
 | Ms Jennifer Smit | Admitted in 2005 with well over fourteen years experience in general commercial… | View Profile |
 | Ms Bankey Sono | Director Bankey Sono is a lawyer in the Labour & Employment practice… | View Profile |
 | Mr Chris Stevens | Chris Stevens is a Director at Werksmans Attorneys and is Head of… | View Profile |
 | Mr Pieter Steyn | Director Pieter Steyn provides expert advice in the Competition; Corporate Mergers &… | View Profile |
 | Mr Jonathan Stockwell | Jonathan Stockwell has been a Director at Werksmans, working in the Dispute… | View Profile |
 | Mr Johan Theron | Johan Theron has been a director at Werksmans Attorneys since 2009, working… | View Profile |
 | Mr Paul Tindle | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Sandile Tom | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Kevin Trudgeon | Kevin Trudgeon has been a director of Werksmans since 1999. | View Profile |
 | Ms Thandi Tshabalala | Senior Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Dewald Van Den Berg | Dewald Van Den Berg has been a Director at Werksmans, working in… | View Profile |
 | Ms Anastasia Vatalidis | Appointed Director of Werksmans in 2004 and is currently Head of the… | View Profile |
 | Ms Lynsey Watson | Director | View Profile |
 | Mr Graeme Wickins | Graeme Wickins has been a Director at Werksmans Attorneys since 2016 in… | View Profile |
 | Mr Darren Willans | Darren Willans has been a director of Werksmans Attorneys since 2009 and… | View Profile |
 | Mr Des Williams | Des Williams is a director of Werksmans. He is experienced in all… | View Profile |
 | Ms Anuschka Wischnewski | Associate | View Profile |
 | Mr Elliott Wood | Elliott Wood is a Director and Head of Private Equity and Sports… | View Profile |
 | Mr Bradley Workman-Davies | Director at Werksmans | View Profile |
 | Mr Jannie de Villiers | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
 | Mr Frikkie van Tonder | Frikkie was appointed a director of Werksmans in 2008. | View Profile |
 | Ms Anine van der Merwe | Director at Werksmans Attorneys | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 213 Number of lawyers at all 3 WC offices : 62Languages
English Afrikaans French ChineseMemberships
The Lex Africa AllianceOther
Other offices : Sandton Other offices : Cape Town Other offices : StellenboschClient Testimonials
TESTIMONIAL: “Excellent. The partners are very engaged and they don’t waste time and money on unnecessary processes and drafting.
TESTIMONIAL: “Their work ethic is phenomenal, they have an eye for detail and their work is marked by excellence.”
TESTIMONIAL: “This is just a short note to tell you about the positive experience that I had with the team from Werksmans that worked on the Liquid deal with MTN.
It was a long road with many obstacles and some hair raising issues that needed to be resolved. Suffice to say that I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Werksmans team that worked on this.
You could throw just about anything at them and they would come through for MTN. That says a lot about the team, the work ethic, knowledge, experience and just good common sense that they exhibited. So to the team a major thank you from me and to you (David, Chairman, Werksmans) as well that create the environment where they want to do this for a client.
May 2019 bring about a few more occasions for such teamwork. ”
Interviews
David Hertz, Chairman, Werksmans Attorneys
Managing partner David Hertz explains how Werksmans Attorneys is adapting to clients' changing needsWhat do you see as the main points that differentiate Werksmans Attorneys from your competitors?
Our strategy and market differentiators remain:
1) Independence
2) Size
3) LEX Africa (our networks)
4) Specialist work
5) Relationships on all levels with clients and staff – our people remain our greatest asset.
Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?
The three practice groups that Werksmans envisages growing over the next 12 months are:
- Corporate and debt restructuring;
- Tax; and
- Business crimes and Investigations.
The negative economic position within South Africa is likely to persist, at least in the short term. As more and more corporates are placed under pressure, there will be an escalating need to restructure their businesses and address their mounting debt.
With the slowdown in economic growth the fiscus is making more aggressive demands for payment of tax and that area of Werksmans’ practice, which has experienced exponential growth, envisages that the growth will continue. We are also advising an increasing number of high net-worth individuals in relation to the structuring of their personal affairs and corporates, their business affairs which is contributing to this growth.
With the endemic corruption that has plagued the country and the desire to eradicate it, there has been an ever increasing demand for the services offered by our Business Crimes and Investigations practice group.
What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?
The most recent viable metric is our key client programme. This focused programme extends across the firm and provides us with the ideal platform to regularly engage with clients in order to facilitate measured improvement and client growth.
As is set out above, Werksmans’ size is regarded as one of its key differentiating metrics. A quality service is delivered by a focused team of individuals who are the leaders in their chosen fields.
Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?
Yes, we look inside-out for (revenue) growth e.g. operational efficiencies and growing talent organically. Our focus remains being able to offer clients cost effectiveness and predictability based on continuous service delivery improvements and adoption of new technologies. Having the constant dialogue with our clients ensures we keep our services relevant to their business agendas and immediate business needs.
For our staff, we constantly keep looking for ways to re-engineer certain processes to help lawyers become more efficient and technically astute. We also encourage our lawyers to maintain and grow their levels of digital knowledge so that we continue to thrive in the future digital world.
Werksmans is in the process of adopting AI technology which will enable us to enhance the cost effective nature of the services we provide.
Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?
By building relationships with our clients we gain an understanding at the coalface as it were as to their business imperatives and are therefore able to partner with them in addressing their requirements as opposed to merely being a service provider.
Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?
As the first demographically representative major South African legal firm. Werksmans has lead the way in identifying trends within the market and as a thought leader is in a position to guide clients’ as opposed to react to their needs.
- Dispute resolution