Werksmans Attorneys > Johannesburg, South Africa > Firm Profile

Werksmans Attorneys > The Legal 500 Rankings

South Africa > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Headed up by Corlett Manaka, the dispute resolution practice at Werksmans Attorneys has an excellent track record in handling complex commercial disputes. The firm is also a key port of call for clients in the mining, telecoms, and financial services sectors in a wide range of contentious matters, and is very experienced in representing public sector bodies in disputes. Darren Willans counts pension fund litigation and insurance disputes as key areas of expertise, while Jennifer Smit is well versed in handling contentious property and construction mandates. Faith Sikhavhakhavha is active on investigations and Jones Antunes‘ expertise includes mining disputes, contractual litigation, and shareholder disputes.

South Africa > Banking and finance Tier 2

At Werksmans Attorneys, the banking and finance team stands out for its ‘exceptional depth of knowledge and experience in structured finance, with a particular focus on debt capital markets and securitisations‘. Department head Elliott Wood acts for borrowers and major financial institutions, and has particular expertise in advising on bilateral and syndicated funding structures. Debt capital markets work is a core area of strength for Richard Roothman, and the ‘world-class‘ Jenni Darling ‘operates efficiently, is always available and her delivery is exceptional‘. Lynsey Watson has experience in representing banks in multi-jurisdictional transactions, while Clarisa Laltha assists with preference share transactions. James Wewege provides support on debt and preference share funding matters.

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

The ‘responsive and helpful‘ team at Werksmans Attorneys continues to handle a high volume of complex takeovers and corporate transactions. Kevin Trudgeon heads up the practice and counts high-profile M&A deals, corporate finance, and private equity as key areas of strength. David Gewer regularly acts for mining clients, and Roelof Bonnet advises construction, technology, and manufacturing sector entities on private equity matters. Banking and finance expert Lureshan Naidoo handles corporate restructurings, joint ventures, and M&A matters.

South Africa > Competition Tier 2

Werksmans Attorneys‘ ‘phenomenal‘ team stands out for its expertise in handling complex merger transactions, and is equally strong in advising on abuse of dominance claims, cartel-related matters, and market inquiries. Paul Coetser, who heads up the practice, is a key name for competition litigation, and regularly acts for clients in the telecoms, e-commerce, financial services, and IT sectors. Ahmore Burger-Smidt is well versed in advising on merger approvals and regulatory issues in the telecoms arena, and Rudolph Raath is highly regarded for his extensive experience in handling cartel cases. Nkonzo Hlatshwayo advises on the competition law aspects of cross-border merger transactions. Nyiko Mathebula left the firm in December 2023.

South Africa > Employment Tier 2

Led by labour litigation expert Sandile July, the labour and employment team at Werksmans Attorneys handled a wide range of contentious matters, including allegations of workplace misconduct and dismissal disputes. Jacques van Wyk handles corporate restructuring mandates and the employment law aspects of M&A transactions, while Andre Van Heerden‘s workload takes in employment contractual matters, dismissal claims, and restraints of trade issues. Pension law cases and executive terminations are core areas of strength for Bradley Workman-Davies. Nonkosazana Nkosi lends support on employment-related disputes.

South Africa > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

At Werksmans Attorneys, the infrastructure, projects and energy team has seen a significant uptick in mandates concerning renewable energy projects, especially wind and solar power projects. Chris Moraitis heads up the practice, and is well versed in handling public-private partnerships and transportation infrastructure projects, as well as drawing on his banking law expertise to advise on limited resource and project financing work. Jonathan Behr is very experienced in advising sponsors on the development and regulatory aspects of large-scale power, infrastructure and renewable energy projects, and is equally strong in assisting with private IPP projects. Astrid Berman‘s workload includes handling the project and limited recourse financing aspects relating to public-private partnerships.

South Africa > Tax Tier 2

Led by Michael Honiball, the tax team at Werksmans Attorneys continues to handle the tax aspects of estate planning, business rescue, restructurings, M&A and private equity, as well as a wide range of contentious tax matters. Doelie Lessing is well-versed in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on international tax planning, assisting with the tax implications of mergers, and handling multi-jurisdictional investments. International tax work and transfer pricing are key areas of expertise for Honiball, and Ernest Mazansky fields over four decades of experience in advising on, among other areas, VAT, corporate tax planning, exchange control issues and tax dispute resolution.

South Africa > Intellectual property Tier 3

Werksmans Attorneys‘ team’s ‘knowledge of IP across all fields in Africa and abroad is exceptional’, and recent work for the group includes assisting sports clients with global IP portfolio management issues, trade mark infringement and opposition proceedings, and cross-border transactions. IP specialist Janine Hollesen heads up the practice, and head of the foreign trademark division Donvay Wegierski counts domain name disputes as a key area of expertise.

South Africa > Investment funds Tier 3

At Werksmans Attorneys, the investment funds team regularly represents investors in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Practice head Shayne Krige is well-versed in the structuring, licensing, and regulatory aspects of investment funds, particularly private equity and hedge funds. Hilah Laskov assists fund managers, banks, investors, and other regulated entities with commercial and regulatory issues.

South Africa > Mining Tier 3

Chris Stevens heads Werksmans Attorneys‘ mining team, which acts on a broad range of transactional and contentious work. The client base includes international and domestic mining entities. Stevens fields expertise in advising on mining disputes, transactional matters and mining title registrations; he is ably supported by Kyra South, who counts environmental law as a core area of strength.

South Africa > Real estate Tier 3

Led by real estate specialist Johan Lubbe, Werksmans Attorneys‘ real estate team has solid expertise in handling commercial property transactions, conveyancing matters, and development mandates for private investors, banks and REITs. Fátima Rodrigues is well known for her extensive experience in advising on property development mandates, property finance and spatial planning matters, and Khathu Neluheni‘s practice includes drafting and registering mortgage bonds and property transfers.

South Africa > Construction Tier 4

Werksmans Attorneys‘ ‘highly skilled‘ construction and engineering team is ‘knowledgeable‘ and ‘able to reach meaningful solutions in complicated negotiations‘. Led by Jennifer Smit, the group draws upon the strength of the firm’s projects, infrastructure, energy and mining practices to handle a range of contentious and non-contentious construction matters. Deon Griessel is ‘highly skilled and knowledgeable in his field of expertise‘, and Boitumelo Rammala has experience in advising on construction disputes.