Banking & Finance
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+27 11 269 7600About
Provided by ENS
ENSafrica has a dedicated banking and finance team which is well known for its scale and depth, and for its cross-border work throughout Africa.
Our key differentiator is the extent and breadth of our expertise and experience across the full spectrum of banking and finance work, including financial services regulation, leveraged finance, asset finance, debt finance, trade finance and capital markets.
We work with leading African and international financial institutions and blue chip companies, and we are sought after by investors, including development finance institutions, who require our expertise in their complex and high value matters, including cross-border mandates spanning multiple countries.
We have well-established capabilities in local law, English law, French law and OHADA law, which enables us to provide you with legal advice in every jurisdiction in Africa.
ENSafrica is recognised by top ranking agencies for achieving consistently high standards when working on the continent.
Recent work highlights:
- Multi-currency club loan of ZAR1.2-billion to MTN Zambia by joint lenders, including FirstRand Bank, as lead counsel.
- ZAR20-billion highly complex group-wide debt restructure of the Edcon Group.
- Raising of USD2.25-billion in the US market by Sasol Financing USA LLC, guaranteed by Sasol Limited.
Partial financing by Citibank of the acquisition by Comair of one new Boeing 737 Max-8 aircraft.
Chambers Review
ENS remains a prominent force in the market with broad-ranging experience in the South African and international banking and finance spaces. The firm represents clients on both the lender and borrower sides of major refinancings, syndicated credit facilities and acquisition financing. It also regularly advises on debt restructurings. The group is additionally called upon by banks and financial institutions on account of its widely regarded regulatory practice. The team possesses deep experience operating across Africa, with numerous regional offices and complementary strength in English law.
Work Highlights
- ENS advised DBSA on a sovereign loan for the government of Côte d'Ivoire, valued at EUR50 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"ENShas a wide scope of expertise and depth of services and legal support in South Africa and abroad. The firm's approach is mindful, considered and factual, and they execute their services with total professionalism in a timely, consistent and articulate manner."
"Their attention to detail and diligence has always been exemplary."
"ENS is one of the most reputable firms in the industry; in addition to a proven track record, the team truly go out of their way to meet deadlines and conclude the transaction. All of this they do whilst being professional and giving sound commercial advice."
"ENShas a wide scope of expertise and depth of services and legal support in South Africa and abroad. The firm's approach is mindful, considered and factual, and they execute their services with total professionalism in a timely, consistent and articulate manner."
"Their attention to detail and diligence has always been exemplary."
"ENS is one of the most reputable firms in the industry; in addition to a proven track record, the team truly go out of their way to meet deadlines and conclude the transaction. All of this they do whilst being professional and giving sound commercial advice."
Notable Practitioners
Angela Itzikowitz maintains her reputation as one of South Africa's pre-eminent regulatory banking lawyers. Her broad expertise includes electronic payment issues, derivatives, insurance regulation, AML and securitisation.
"Angela Itzikowitz is highly respected and I have a lot of regard for her."
Sean Lederman is a highly experienced lawyer who is well versed in schemes of arrangement, restructurings, financings and refinancings. He represents groups of lenders in debt restructurings, and acts for borrowers in complex refinancing arrangements.
"Sean is an old hand when it comes to banking and finance. He has seen it all and brings this level of knowledge and sophistication to the table in all situations, especially in mediating, to achieve workable solutions."
"Sean Lederman demonstrated a high level of commerciality and very strong negotiating abilities."
"He provides great analysis and solutions for complex transaction structures."
Anina Boshoff has notable experience acting for both lenders and borrowers on lending transactions, including cross-border matters. She lists a number of notable South African banks among her clients.
"I really enjoy working with Anina. I don't feel like I need to check everything in detail as I'm comfortable with the quality of her work, which reduces my workload and stress levels."
Craig Saven is an increasingly prominent lawyer who specialises in cross-border structured trade and commodity finance. Saven advises major banks and international financial institutions on sovereign loans as well as debt facilities of various denominations.
"Craig is very professional and competent."
Jessica Blumenthal has experience in advising on debt restructuring, preference share transactions and financial services regulation. She has represented major South African banks and consortiums in complex financing transactions.
"Jessica Blumenthal is highly competent and skilled as a specialist in the financial services industry. She is always abreast of the latest developments in the regulatory environment as well as being pleasant to work with at all times, no matter the pressure. Jessica makes one feel special as a client."
"She is knowledgeable and technically sound, always available, and she delegates well to her associates. It is a pleasure working with a competent lawyer like her."
Ranked Lawyers at
ENS
South Africa
Members
Provided by ENS
Deborah Carmichael
Jessica Blumenthal
Johann Basson
Nzame Qokweni
Roger Rudolph
Head of Department