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

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - South Africa

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Bowmans is a pre-eminent South African law firm that maintains a stellar corporate practice group, one 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 possess further experience assisting with corporate restructuring, black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions and unbundling mandates.

Work Highlights

Provided by Bowmans

  • Bowmans assisted Royal Bafokeng Platinum with a contested bid for its control by Impala Platinum and Northam Platinum.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Ezra Davids
Ezra Davids
Star Individuals
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.
Charles Douglas
2
Charles Douglas
2
Band 2

Charles Douglas attracts ample praise from market sources and has established corporate capability in South Africa. He holds experience relating to an impressive range of mandates, including M&A and BEE transactions. He also regularly handles joint venture structurings. Based in Johannesburg, he co-leads Bowmans' M&A practice group.

Charles Young
3
Charles Young
3
Band 3

Charles Young regularly advises on M&A and asset transactions, as well as providing advice on commercial agreements. He is particularly well known in the mining sector, where he advises on cross-border acquisitions and share subscriptions.

Deepa Vallabh
5
Deepa Vallabh
5
Band 5

Deepa Vallabh is a lawyer with an impressive pedigree and a client following of well-known telecoms and mining companies. She acts on domestic and international acquisitions and disposals. She joined Bowmans in November 2024 after leaving Hogan Lovells.

Deepa Vallabh provides authentic and transparent advice and insights.

Ryan Wessels
5
Ryan Wessels
5
Band 5

Ryan Wessels has a strong practice advising private equity firms on in-bound investments into South Africa. He also assists public clients with the divestment of assets.

Ryan Wessels has a deep understanding of the relevant issues and quickly helps clients find their footing.

He is able to handle tense situations with humour and confidence, which makes him both pleasant and efficient to work with.

Ryan Wessels is pragmatic in his proposals.

Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe
5
Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe
5
Band 5

Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe acts for clients on cross-border transactions. He has prominent experience in the logistics and fashion industries.

Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe is really a pleasure to work with.

Lerato Thahane
U
Lerato Thahane
U
Up and Coming

Lerato Thahane maintains her standing in the rankings, with impressive support from the market. Often working for industrial clients, she draws upon her extensive experience to assist with domestic and cross-border acquisitions and disposals. She is also comfortable acting as local counsel to international companies operating in South Africa.

Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

South Africa

Corporate/M&A

Ezra Davids
Ezra Davids
Star Individuals
Charles Douglas
2
Charles Douglas
2
Band 2
Charles Young
3
Charles Young
3
Band 3
Deepa Vallabh
5
Deepa Vallabh
5
Band 5
Ryan Wessels
5
Ryan Wessels
5
Band 5
Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe
5
Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe
5
Band 5
Lerato Thahane
U
Lerato Thahane
U
Up and Coming

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