About
Provided by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
CDH is one of the largest commercial law firms in South Africa. Our Corporate & Commercial practice, a dedicated team of over 90 legal experts, is a cornerstone of the firm and offers a full suite of services to deliver multidisciplinary and strategic legal support to our clients.
Our work on many of the market-first and most complex transactions across a wide variety of
industry sectors demonstrates our ability to combine sector-specific expertise with our technical excellence and legal innovation. Our transactional experience and depth of
expertise is reflected in the market recognition we have received and the top tier rankings we
have achieved in the most respected global professional directories.
We believe in building enduring partnerships. The long-standing relationships that we have with many of our clients, spanning several decades, bear testament to this. Our clients include listed and unlisted entities, both national and international, emerging businesses and multinationals across a wide range of sectors.
Chambers Review
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is highly regarded for its handling of major M&A and private equity transactions in South Africa. Additionally, the firm is sought out for its counsel on corporate restructurings, delistings and shareholder rearrangements. With strength in depth emanating from its Cape Town and Johannesburg offices, CDH possesses an excellent track record in the mining, consumer goods and financial services sectors. The team regularly assists domestic and multinational clients with high-value transactions, often with cross-border elements. The firm offers additional experience in real estate and telecoms, and frequently acts for dual-listed companies and investment funds, and on black economic empowerment (BEE) initiatives.
Work Highlights
- The team advised LeapFrog Investments and Prudential Financial on their acquisition of a minority stake in Alexander Forbes.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr handles complex and sophisticated matters extremely well and reports back on matters speedily and accurately."
"The team plays an excellent support role in negotiations due to its strong commercial awareness."
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is a one-stop shop for all of our legal matters."
"The lawyers have good knowledge of the law and an ability to integrate this with the commercial realities."
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr handles complex and sophisticated matters extremely well and reports back on matters speedily and accurately."
"The team plays an excellent support role in negotiations due to its strong commercial awareness."
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is a one-stop shop for all of our legal matters."
"The lawyers have good knowledge of the law and an ability to integrate this with the commercial realities."
Notable Practitioners
Willem Jacobs is recognised for his skill in a range of corporate deals, including M&A, disposals, investments and BEE transactions. His formidable client roster features prominent telecoms players as well as notable PE houses and holding companies.
"Willem Jacobs is great, I really enjoy working with him."
Cape Town-based David Thompson regularly assists clients with cross-border M&A and investments, with standout clients in the real estate and renewable energy sectors.
"David Thompson is a consummate lawyer and is regularly recognised as such."
Peter Hesseling is an experienced transactional and corporate finance lawyer with a particularly strong track record of acting for real estate and property investors. He is also regularly retained for advice on BEE transactions, delistings, corporate restructuring and equity raising.
"Peter Hesseling is very practical, hands-on and good to work with."
David Pinnock continues to be recognised for his deep understanding of the private equity market in South Africa. He particularly impresses for his skilful handling of a range of transactions, including M&A, divestments, restructuring and rights offerings.
"David Pinnock is highly commercial, practical and a pleasure to work with."
Ian Hayes maintains his impressive reputation in the South African market, with an enviable portfolio of blue-chip clients in the mining, telecoms and retail sectors. In addition to his transactional skills, he possesses further experience advising clients on major restructuring plans.
Ranked Lawyers at
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
South Africa
Members
Provided by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr