
About
Provided by Bowmans
We have a strong record of acting on the most significant corporate and M&A transactions across the African continent. Our size and geographic spread combined with our breadth of skills, experience and good relationships with regulators enables us to handle large and time-critical transactions.
Our services include public acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, unbundlings and other investments and divestitures including public M&A (both contested and uncontested), and private M&As. We also have considerable expertise in the fields of privatisation and public-to- private transactions and have advised shareholders in becoming more active in the management of their companies. In South Africa, we have been involved in the structuring and implementation of complex black economic empowerment transactions.
We represent participants in transactions in virtually all capacities – purchasers, sellers, financiers, financial advisers, directors and shareholders. In most cases we project manage the entire transaction which includes conducting a legal due diligence investigation, providing strategic advice, negotiating terms, drafting documentation and assisting with the implementation of the transaction from a legal point of view.
We have also served as local counsel for a range of international financial institutions and corporates, as well as international law firms and merchant banks.
Chambers Review
Bowmans is a pre-eminent South African law firm that maintains a stellar corporate practice group, which plays a significant role in many of the region's largest transactions. The team represents a number of high-profile domestic and international clients and offers impressive cross-border capabilities, with a particularly prominent position in the manufacturing, insurance and consumer goods sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the department has significant experience in other major industries including mining, telecoms, financial services and energy. Its lawyers also possess further experience assisting with corporate restructuring, black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions and unbundling mandates. Furthermore, Bowmans is renowned for its bench of skilled private equity lawyers with experience covering fund formation and transactions.
Work Highlights
- The lawyers at Bowmans represented Standard Bank in its acquisition of the remaining 42.6% stake in Liberty Holdings, valued at around USD697.9 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team puts effort in to understand the business requirements and strategy prior to giving advice on the legal work."
"Bowmans has well-staffed teams on all our projects, with cross-functional expertise brought to bear."
"The lawyers were quick to grasp and understand the commercial and operational imperatives inherent in the transaction."
"There is good bench strength below the senior partners working on a transaction and they have a strong ability to access requisite skills across all aspects of M&A deals."
"The team puts effort in to understand the business requirements and strategy prior to giving advice on the legal work."
"Bowmans has well-staffed teams on all our projects, with cross-functional expertise brought to bear."
"The lawyers were quick to grasp and understand the commercial and operational imperatives inherent in the transaction."
"There is good bench strength below the senior partners working on a transaction and they have a strong ability to access requisite skills across all aspects of M&A deals."
Notable Practitioners

Johannesburg-based John Bellew is a household name in the South African PE market, with immense experience in buyouts, investments and fund formation.

Ezra Davids maintains a stellar domestic and international reputation as one of South Africa's foremost experts in corporate law. His skills continue to be sought out by blue-chip clients for assistance with significant cross-border mandates.
"Ezra Davids is excellent."

Charles Douglas climbs the rankings this year following strong market feedback. He holds experience across an impressive range of corporate transactions, including M&A and BEE. Based in Johannesburg, he co-leads Bowmans' M&A practice group.
"Charles Douglas is always readily available for the client, extremely astute and aware of the legal, commercial and operational imperatives in the transaction."
"He is an outstanding attorney and trusted adviser to his clients, with great commercial acumen and a significant amount of relevant experience."

Charles Young advises on M&A and asset transactions, as well as providing advice on commercial agreements. He is particularly well known in the mining sector, advising on cross-border acquisitions and share subscriptions.
"Charles Young has great commercial acumen."
"He is always on top of things."

Lerato Thahane makes her debut in the rankings this year with support from the market. Working for industrial clients, she draws upon her experience to assist with domestic and cross-border acquisitions and disposals. She is also comfortable acting as local counsel to international firms operating in South Africa.
"She provided good, solid advice."

James Westgate acts for a number of major private equity and investment management clients, with expertise covering both domestic and cross-border transactions. He is based in the firm's Johannesburg office.
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
South Africa






Members
Provided by Bowmans
Anne McAlister
Ashleigh Hale
Charles Young
David Anderson
David Yuill
Deon de Klerk
Dirk Wessels
Ian Kirkman
Ineke Brink
James Westgate
Jonathan Schlosberg
Joshua Janks
Julie Oppenheim
Lance Fleiser
Paul Hart-Davies
Ryan Wessels
Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe
Timothy McDougall
Clients
Provided by Bowmans
Ab InBev
African Rainbow Minerals
Alexander Forbes Group Holdings
Exxon Mobil
IBM
Oger Telecom
Old Mutual
Orange
Rio Tinto
The Standard Bank Group
Industries
Provided by Bowmans
Aerospace & Defence
Banking
Construction & Materials
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Education
Energy
Financial Services
Food & Drink Producers
Forestry & Paper
Industrial Engineering
Insurance
Mining and Metals
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Real Estate Finance
Retail
Software & Computer Services
Technology, Hardware and Electronics
Telecommunications
Transportation
Utilities