Allen Leuta and Ulrike Naumann co-head the banking and finance practice at Bowmans, which continues to handle a high volume of sustainability-linked funding transactions and large-scale restructurings. Cross-border mandates are prominent in the ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ team’s workload, and the group is well versed in representing borrowers and lenders in complex matters. Naumann is a key contact for debt restructurings, leveraged and mezzanine finance, and preference share funding transactions. Jan Kruger is highly regarded for his solid track record in acting for financial institutions, and Michael Swartland‘s practice takes in BEE funding matters. Jayson George is ’a phenomenal individual with true grit and poise‘. Pride Jani joined the group in December 2023, and the practice was also bolstered by the arrival of Ryan Nelson and Amanda Jones in January 2025. Deborah Carmichael left the firm in December 2024.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They dedicate the right resources at the right level of seniority. They communicate and keep us updated the whole time. ’
‘Ulrike Naumann and Ivan Vorster are exceptionally talented individuals who are not only counsel, but trusted advisors to the banking fraternity. They provide exceptional legal advice.'
- 'Ivan Vorster is young, energetic, thinks outside the box.'
‘The team is responsive, knowledgeable and consistently delivers as per agreed transaction timelines. ’
‘Michael Swartland is commercially minded and an absolute pleasure to work with.'
- 'Jayson George is responsive and an absolute pleasure to work with. ’
‘The depth of expertise means that we are always able to get the required advice and assistance without delay. ’
‘Pride Jani is extremely knowledgeable and works hard. He ensures that the client get the best possible outcome from the transaction. He is a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
- Absa Bank Limited
- AbInBev, The South African Breweries
- African Rainbow Capital
- African Rainbow Minerals Limited
- AgDevCo Limited
- Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited
- Alexander Forbes Life Limited
- ARM Coal Limited
- Ashburton Fund Managers Proprietary Limited
- Bank of China
Work highlights
- Advising a large syndicate of banks on the multi-million dollar restructuring of the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa.
- Acted as lead counsel to SBSA and RMB (as mandated lead arrangers in a syndicate of banks) in connection with the ZAR14,500,000,0000 refinancing of the Foschini Retail Group Proprietary Limited’s (FRG) existing debt.
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Jayson George
Practice head
Allen Leuta; Ulrike Naumann
Other key lawyers
Jan Kruger; Jason Wilkinson; Michael Swartland; Ivan Vorster; Jayson George; Yolande Murphy; Pride Jani; Ryan Nelson; Amanda Jones