Corporate/M&A | Global

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.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is highly regarded for its handling of major M&A transactions in South Africa. Additionally, the firm is sought out for its counsel on corporate restructurings and shareholder rearrangements. With strength in depth emanating from its Cape Town and Johannesburg offices, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr 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 taking on deals 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.

ENS houses a large corporate group with a deep bench of experienced lawyers and an excellent reputation in South Africa. The firm plays a key role in market-leading transactions across various industries, including mining, insurance and technology. The department also maintains an enviable client list in the banking, telecoms and publishing sectors, as well as being a notable presence in the private equity market. The team's expertise also covers corporate restructuring and black economic empowerment transactions and investments. The firm's comprehensive multi-jurisdictional capabilities are ably supported by the ENS network.

DLA Piper's South African corporate team represents a range of major international investment funds and corporations in cross-border transactions in sectors such as consumer goods, manufacturing and financial services. It provides guidance on the full spectrum of transactions and corporate advisory work, encompassing joint ventures, capital raisings, mergers and demergers. Clients of the Johannesburg office also benefit from its ability to leverage the strength of the greater DLA Piper network, particularly the Africa network which comprises law firms in 19 other jurisdictions.

Baker McKenzie is a recognised player in the South African corporate legal market, with experience handling major transactions. The team is ably supported by the firm's expansive international network in the management of high-stakes cross-border mandates. In addition, the firm is experienced in corporate reorganisations, capital raisings and navigating the country's regulatory regime. Its lawyers also possess notable expertise regarding transactions in the manufacturing, mining, technology and financial services sectors.

Herbert Smith Freehills has an established presence in Johannesburg, from where it operates a solid corporate/M&A team. Its lawyers offer advice across a range of areas, with notable experience managing acquisitions and disposals, as well as hostile takeovers, black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions and corporate restructurings. The department demonstrates particular prowess in the mining and renewable energy sectors, with additional expertise assisting telecoms and investment companies. The firm has a proven track record operating on the African continent and the strength of an extensive international network of offices to draw upon.

CMS's South African corporate department features a robust team which is adept at handling a wide range of corporate transactions. The firm counts a whole host of recognised client names under its belt, including entities from the mining, retail and telecoms industries, in addition to further strength in the shipping, financial services and energy sectors. Alongside its activity advising on acquisitions and disposals, the team leverages its transactional experience to act on fund formation and black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions.