Corporate/M&A
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 1
Contact number
+27 11 530 5000About
Provided by Webber Wentzel
Our Corporate Practice is well established as a market leader, having been involved in most of the highly complex, large cross-border transactions in Africa over the past 30 years, which ensures that the team is at the forefront of legal developments and both local and international best practice. The team is renowned for its exceptional service in providing local and international clients with sophisticated, innovative and practical advice on structuring, negotiating, documenting and implementing local and cross-border transactions, and managing legal risk. Our offering is enhanced by superior tax, exchange control, banking and finance, competition / anti-trust, regulatory and employment law teams, to provide clients with a seamlessly integrated legal and tax offering. We have one of the largest M&A practices in the market, including a large number of M&A experts many of whom are recognised as leading practitioners in the field by international ratings agencies, which gives the team strength in depth and the ability to manage complicated transactions in expedited timelines whilst still providing quality solutions to clients.
Contact: Safiyya Patel, Partner ([email protected])
Chambers Review
Webber Wentzel regularly features on some of the most complex and noteworthy transactions in the region, and maintains its prominent position at the forefront of the South African market. The firm leverages the expertise and strength of its deep bench of specialist practitioners in conjunction with its ongoing Linklaters alliance. The team frequently represents multinational clients and handles cross-border mandates, with special expertise in the financial services, food and drink, mining and telecoms sectors. The group maintains solid teams in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. It additionally offers extensive black economic empowerment (BEE) experience.
Work Highlights
- Webber Wentzel acted for Fonzosys on the acquisition of Alviva, valued at approximately ZAR2.6 billion.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team's attention to detail, availability and insight into the legal framework is beyond compare."
"The law firm hasan outstanding service level and business acumen. Its lawyers are strategists and offer commercially-minded advice."
"Webber Wentzel is one of the most respected law firms in South Africa and I am very impressed with their work."
"Webber Wentzel has excellent lawyers with a significant depth across all areas of corporate law."
"Webber Wentzel covers all important topics on a commercial transaction and the team members work seamlessly with one another to produce a top result."
"The team's attention to detail, availability and insight into the legal framework is beyond compare."
"The law firm hasan outstanding service level and business acumen. Its lawyers are strategists and offer commercially-minded advice."
"Webber Wentzel is one of the most respected law firms in South Africa and I am very impressed with their work."
"Webber Wentzel has excellent lawyers with a significant depth across all areas of corporate law."
"Webber Wentzel covers all important topics on a commercial transaction and the team members work seamlessly with one another to produce a top result."
Notable Practitioners
Christo Els maintains an outstanding reputation for his work as lead M&A counsel, acting for major clients in the retail, telecoms and banking sectors. He continues to advise his clients in addition to his responsibilities as the firm's senior partner.
"Christo Els is an excellent corporate lawyer. He is very practical and reasonable."
Gareth Driver is regularly engaged by an array of high-profile clients, including those in the financial services and IT sectors, for advice on M&A transactions, delistings and corporate restructurings.
"Gareth Driver is an excellent corporate lawyer."
Johannesburg-based Colin du Toit has experience encompassing a broad range of corporate issues, including high-value M&A, governance and BEE.
"Colin du Toit demonstrates knowledge, constructive arguments and excellent negotiation skills. He has a great ability to present issues and propose solutions as well as having stamina and focus."
"Colin du Toit is a world-class M&A lawyer. He is deeply strategic and thoughtful in how he structures complex agreements. He is also a really strong and experienced negotiator."
Warren Drue has a solid portfolio of clients featuring private investors, financial institutions and multinational companies. His experience covers all manner of transactions, including acquisitions and corporate finance.
Lilia França stands out for her work on complex deals involving JSE-listed companies. In addition to general M&A, she has notable experience in disposals and BEE transactions.
"Lilia França is proactive and provides a balanced view with regards to various complex issues."
"She has excellent experience and expertise in dealing with corporate law."
"Her broad range of technical skills, in-depth knowledge of the law, problem-solving abilities and incredible attention to detail are perfectly matched with her overarching commercial mind set and understanding of commercial strategy, objectives and imperatives."
Mark Phillips is routinely consulted by a range of clients, from PE houses and financial institutions to listed corporate entities. Based in Johannesburg, he has experience in M&A, private investments and share subscriptions, among other areas.
"Mark Phillips is a phenomenal lawyer and a problem solver. He really knows how to think strategically in M&A and is a very good negotiator."
"He is very knowledgeable in the complete spectrum of M&A. He has strong drafting skills and a quick turnaround."
Safiyya Patel assists with a range of corporate deals and commercial agreements, including joint ventures, mergers and reorganisations. She is particularly respected for her counsel on BEE transactions and related corporate structuring.
"Safiyya Patel is readily available to handle queries and matters as they arise, and she drafts shareholder agreements with a quick turnaround."
"She is relatable and can simplify matters for a layman to understand fully."
Ranked Lawyers at
Webber Wentzel
South Africa
Members
Provided by Webber Wentzel