Headed up by Doelie Lessing, the tax team at Werksmans Attorneys is lauded for its 'abundant skills' across the full-spectrum of tax matters, including assessments, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in the Tax Court, High Court, and Supreme Court of Appeal. Michael Honiball is knowledgeable in international tax law and transfer pricing, Ryan Killoran is adept in high-profile matters, and Ernest Mazansky specialises in corporate tax matters and restructuring work. Erich Bell is another key name focusing on double tax agreements, offshore acquisition, foreign trusts, and thin capitalism.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Ernest Mazansky is widely regarded as an expert in corporate tax in South Africa.'
- 'Ernest Mazansky is innovative with an incredibly quick turn around time.’
- ‘We are very pleased with the results we received from Werksmans. The team is very nice.'
- 'Working with Doelie Lessing and her team is a pleasure.'
- 'Communication is good.'
- ‘Doelie Lessing and her team are very qualified. We like working with Werksmans.’
Key clients
- Vivo Energy
- Ntsimbintle Holdings Proprietary Limited
- Ainsley Holdings Proprietary Limited
- Transaction Capital Limited
- Consortium of Banks comprised of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
- Black Chrome Mine Proprietary Limited
Work highlights
Advised Vitol Emerald Bidco (Pty) Ltd, a company within the broader Vitol Group, on the purchase of the shares in Engen Ltd from Petronas Marketing International Sendirian Berhad Petronas, a private company incorporated in accordance with the Laws of Malaysia.
Advised Transaction Capital Limited and its various subsidiaries involved on the unbundling of We Buy Cars Limited which then listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Assisted Black Chrome Mine with all legal implications pertaining to their business rescue process which was concluded on 13 December 2024, including successfully regularising its pre and post commencement tax defaults, ensuring that the pre-commencement tax debts, including those arising from the tax defaults, were compromised by SARS in accordance with the business rescue plan and that such tax debts were not offset against the post-commencement refunds owing by SARS to BCM.
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Leading partners
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Practice head
Doelie Lessing
Other key lawyers
Michael Honiball; Ryan Killoran; Ernest Mazansky; Erich Bell