Recognised for its 'great seamless cross-border capabilities', Baker McKenzie Johannesburg advises on M&A, restructurings, governance, tax, and compliance matters across various sectors, including mining, digital infrastructure, energy, healthcare, retail, and telecoms. Lydia Shadrach-Razzino leads the team, and she is ably supported by Verushca Pillay, who focuses on commercial work and BEE. Ashlin Perumall specialises in technology and IP-related M&A transactions, while Tanya Seitz handles cross-border matters and Ryan Alho advises on energy and infrastructure. Carine Pick and Kaylea Sher-Fisher also bolster the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Dedication to quality output. Tanya Seitz is exceptional at managing deals to conclusion. She is very proactive in dealing with issues.'
- ‘The team's ability to handle complex matters for international clients operating in SA with limited market knowledge is excellent.’
- ‘Lydia Shadrach-Razzino and Kaylea Sher-Fisher deserve special praise. They provide untiring support, are robust in defence of their clients' interests but commercial and deal-focused.’
- ‘They are a very professional team. What stands out is the team's diversity and the knowledge they possess. They are also very personable.’
- ‘Lydia Shadrach-Razzino is a great partner and a great leader to her team.’
- ‘Verushka Pillay is insightful, practical and business-centric advice.'
Key clients
- Bidvest Group Ltd
- Bidvest Office Pty Ltd
- Brenntag South Africa Proprietary Ltd
- GEM Yield Bahamas Ltd
- GEM Global Yield LLC SCS
- Helios Towers (Pty) Ltd
- Hello Group (Proprietary) Ltd
- The Foschini Group Ltd
- Magnolia Ridge Investment Holdings
- Mahlako Energy Fund and Thirdway Investment Partners
- Mantengu Mining Ltd
- The SPAR Group Ltd
Work highlights
Advised Royal Bafokeng Holdings, a key shareholder in Towerco Bidco Proprietary Limited (the Purchaser), on its acquisition of Telkom’s masts and towers business, housed in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Swiftnet SOC Limited.
Advised Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany, and listed on the German Stock Exchange, and a member of DAX, on its acquisition of a majority stake in the business of Resonant Holdings Pty Ltd, a leading South African specialist in plant engineering for chemical applications.
Advising The Bidvest Group (UK) Plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bidvest Group Limited, on its proposed acquisition of 100% of Citron Hygiene LP and its subsidiaries from Birch Hill Equity Partners and other investors.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Lydia Shadrach-Razzino
Other key lawyers
Verushca Pillay; Ashlin Perumall; Tanya Seitz; Ryan Alho; Carine Pick; Kaylea Sher-Fisher