Corporate/M&A
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 4
Contact number
+27 11 911 4300About
Provided by Baker McKenzie
Our Johannesburg Corporate M&A team combines local knowledge and Baker McKenzie's global reach to advise local and multi-national clients on a range of transactions not only in South Africa, but across the African continent. We advise both public and private companies on corporate compliance and governance, global corporate reorganizations, joint ventures, strategic alliances, multinational acquisitions & disposals, post-acquisition integration, private equity & venture capital M&A, private & public M&A, corporate finance & structuring, leveraged and management buy-outs, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, tax, debt and equity capital markets transactions and other related matters.
Our interdisciplinary team (working with our market-leading tax, competition and employment practices), collaborate with our highly skilled and experienced colleagues across the globe. Our experience in servicing our multinational client base distinguishes our offering from that of many other firms operating in the South African market. As one of only a handful of law firms with a dedicated global reorganizations practice, we guide clients through all stages of their transactions.
Our sector expertise spans mining, financial institutions, fintech, insurance, logistics, chemicals, projects, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, security, construction, industrial, water & waste management, healthcare, consumer goods & retail, private equity, telecommunications, media, technology and real estate.
Chambers Review
Baker McKenzie is a recognised player in the South African corporate law 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, with further experience acting for PE and venture capital funds.
Work Highlights
- Baker McKenzie advised the vendors Actis and Mainstream on the South African aspects of the sale of Lekela Power to the Infinity Group and Africa Finance Corporation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Baker McKenzie is able to leverage an international network to look at the right aspects of complex deals and deliver to a high standard. The team is proactive and responsive."
"I am impressed with the way they handle the cross-border work, translating the specific jurisdictional matters into pragmatic solutions and ways forward."
"There is a wide range of expertise in Baker McKenzie's team which allows its offering to be competitive."
"Baker McKenzie is able to leverage an international network to look at the right aspects of complex deals and deliver to a high standard. The team is proactive and responsive."
"I am impressed with the way they handle the cross-border work, translating the specific jurisdictional matters into pragmatic solutions and ways forward."
"There is a wide range of expertise in Baker McKenzie's team which allows its offering to be competitive."
Notable Practitioners
Lydia Shadrach-Razzino is a renowned corporate lawyer with notable prowess in the PE market, advising on buyouts, disposals and portfolio investments. She is also noted for her significant experience with empowerment structures and corporate governance issues. She recently joined Baker McKenzie after leaving ENSafrica.
"Lydia Shadrach-Razzino is highly experienced."