Bowmans
Global Guide 2024
About
Managing partners: Alan Keep (Group), Paras Shah (Kenya), Fazil Hossenkhan (Mauritius), Stephen Vlieghe (Namibia) Michael Strain (Tanzania) and Mabvuto Sakala (Zambia)
Number of lawyers: 500+
Total staff complement: almost 1 000
Languages: English
Firm Overview:
Bowmans helps its clients manage legal complexity and unlock opportunity in Africa. Its enviable track record of providing legal services to the highest professional standards on the continent, spans corporate, finance, competition, taxation, employment, technology and dispute resolution matters.
With over 500 specialist lawyers, Bowmans draws on its unique knowledge of the business and socio-political environment in Africa to advise on a wide range of legal issues.
The firm delivers integrated legal services from nine offices (Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Johannesburg, Lusaka, Moka, Nairobi, Swakopmund and Windhoek) in six countries (Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia).
Everywhere it operates, Bowmans offers its clients a service that uniquely blends expertise in the law, knowledge of the local market, and an understanding of their businesses. The firm’s aim is to assist its clients to achieve their objectives as smoothly and efficiently as possible while minimising the legal and regulatory risks.
The firm works closely with its Alliance firms Aman & Partners LLP in Ethiopia and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie in Nigeria. Bowmans has special relationships with firms in Mozambique and Uganda; a non-exclusive co-operation agreement with French international law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel that provides access to lawyers in francophone west and north Africa; regularly works with other leading independent law firms across the rest of Africa; and is a representative of Lex Mundi, a global association of independent law firms in more than 125 countries.
Clients include domestic and foreign corporates, multinationals, funds and financial institutions, across a range of industry sectors, as well as state-owned enterprises and governments.
Sector Specialisations:
- Aviation: Bowmans’ aviation specialists have a keen understanding of the industry based on a proven track record of involvement in major aviation-related matters.
- Construction: The firm assists clients throughout the project life cycle of complex infrastructure and construction projects including development, delivery, financing and disputes under all forms of construction contracts.
- Consumer Goods: Bowmans is uniquely positioned to advise consumer goods companies on all aspects of their businesses in Africa and has an exceptional track record of having advised some of the world’s leading companies in this sector.
- Education: The firm’s multi-disciplinary and cross-jurisdictional team is in a singular position to provide clients entering or operating in this field with a comprehensive spectrum of services covering transactional, regulatory, tax and employment law.
- Energy: Bowmans acts for a wide range of clients in the energy sector including developers, sponsors, public utilities, funds, commercial banks and other financial institutions, and governments.
- Financial Institutions: The firm has extensive experience advising clients in the banking, insurance, financial products and services sectors across the continent.
- Hotels & Leisure: Bowmans has specialist know-how and experience in the sector, having advised a number of international hotel groups as they commenced doing business, or have looked to expand their existing footprint, in Africa.
- Industrials: The firm’s offering spans the full range of corporate services and extends to all the specialist areas of law associated with activity of this nature including competition and antitrust, employment and tax.
- Infrastructure: Bowmans helps its clients at all stages of the economic lifecycle of infrastructure projects – from developing to acquiring to managing to restructuring to selling assets, including advising on financing aspects.
- Insurance: The firm advises leading insurers and reinsurers as well as companies in industry sectors where risk is inherent, on issues impacting them across the insurance value chain.
- Mining: The firm has a strong record of acting on the most significant mining-related mergers and acquisitions across the African continent. Bowmans advises on every aspect of mining-and resource-related transactions from the initial due diligence through regulatory compliance to negotiating and closing the deals.
- Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare: Bowmans’ pharmaceuticals and healthcare specialists have extensive experience in, and regularly advise stakeholders across, the healthcare services and products supply chain.
- Ports, Transport & Logistics: The firm delivers a comprehensive service facilitating relationships between land and sea users and owners of ports, terminals and equipment.
- Technology, Media & Telecommunications: Bowmans’ understanding of the regulatory landscape in many African jurisdictions enables it to assist clients get to market quickly while avoiding many of the pitfalls of operating in a new jurisdiction.
Ranked Offices
Provided by Bowmans
- Johannesburg11 Alice Lane, Sandton, P O Box 785812, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2146
- Web: www.bowmanslaw.com
- Tel: +27 11 669 9000
- Fax: +27 11 669 9001
- View ranked office
- Nairobi5th Floor, ICEA Lion Centre, West Wing, Riverside Park, Chiromo Road, PO Box 10643-00100, Nairobi, Nairobi, KenyaView ranked office
- Durban1st Floor, Compendium House 5 The Crescent, Westway Office Park Harry Gwala Road, Westville Durban, Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, P O Box 2793View ranked office
- Dar es Salaam2nd Floor, The Luminary, Cnr Haile Selassie and Chole Roads, Masaki, Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaView ranked office
- Lusaka3rd Floor, Evexia Commercial Buildingl, Plot Number 1014, Church Road, Lusaka, Lusaka, ZambiaView ranked office
Contributions
Latest contributions provided by Bowmans
All contributions provided by Bowmans
Bowmans rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
28 items provided by Bowmans
Senior M&A lawyer Deepa Vallabh joins Bowmans in Johannesburg
Pre-eminent African law firm Bowmans continues to expand the depth and diversity of its M&A Practice in South Africa. The firm today announced the appointment of senior M&A lawyer Deepa Vallabh as a partner in its Johannesburg office with effect from 1 November.
Bowmans Durban on a growth path with new M&A partner
Pre-eminent African law firm Bowmans continues to expand its presence and capabilities as a top-tier legal services provider, this time in Durban South Africa, where corporate law and M&A specialist, Andrew Davidson, has joined as a partner with effect from 1 September 2024.
Bowmans appoints competition law partner with deep pan-African experience
Leading African international law firm Bowmans has appointed pan-African competition law specialist HB Senekal as a partner in its Johannesburg Competition Practice.
Bowmans’ winning M&A Practice in South Africa continues to grow
Leading African law firm Bowmans has further enhanced its standing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through strategic appointments at its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans’ winning M&A Practice in South Africa continues to grow
Leading African law firm Bowmans has further enhanced its standing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through strategic appointments at its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans named Africa Law Firm of the Year by IFLR
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, secured a range of prestigious honours at the IFLR Africa Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg last night (11 April 2024). The awards celebrate, the ‘most legally innovative cross-border deals closed in region in 2023 and the teams and individuals behind them’.
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is expanding once again, this time into Namibia. The firm has announced that it will join forces with Koep & Partners (Koep) from 1 March 2024, to establish a presence in Namibia, which is on the cusp of significant growth.
Bowmans gears up for future growth
Shortly after announcing its expansion into Namibia and, subsequently, the promotion of 13 partners, leading African law firm Bowmans has outlined the appointment of a new leadership team to drive it forward.
Johannesburg, 5 March 2024 – Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is expanding once again, this time into Namibia. The firm has announced that it will join forces with Koep & Partners (Koep) from 1 March 2024, to establish a presence in Namibia, which is on the cusp of significant growth.
Bowmans expands its business rescue and insolvency capability in Johannesburg
Leading African law firm Bowmans has expanded its South African business rescue, restructuring and insolvency capabilities to Johannesburg by appointing a team of six high-calibre lawyers specialising in the field. The new team supplements Bowmans’ Cape Town based team.
Bowmans appoints Zingisa Motloba as partner in its Johannesburg Private Equity Practice
Leading African law firm Bowmans is further strengthening its private equity presence through the appointment of Zingisa Motloba as partner in its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans Kenya celebrates 15th anniversary
September 2023 marks a milestone in the history of leading African law firm Bowmans. Fifteen years ago, Bowmans Kenya was established in a move that marked the start of Bowmans’ growth across the continent.
Leading African law firm Bowmans celebrates a decade of focussed pro bono contributions
On Thursday 21 September, ahead of Heritage Day in South Africa, leading African law firm Bowmans, held an event to celebrate a decade of focussed pro bono efforts. Bowmans managing partner, Alan Keep, highlighted that Bowmans has always been a responsible corporate citizen, and its people have be
Top litigation lawyer returns to her roots at Bowmans
Leading African law firm Bowmans is further strengthening its dispute resolution capacity in South Africa by appointing senior litigation lawyer Vanessa Jacklin-Levin as a partner in its Johannesburg Litigation Practice.
Experiencing the benefits of gender equity in the legal profession
It has been 100 years since the first female attorney in South Africa, Irene Geffen, was admitted to the profession. Since then, women in law have made great strides, especially since 1994, but there is still a long road to travel.
Experiencing the benefits of gender equity in the legal profession
It has been 100 years since the first female attorney in South Africa, Irene Geffen, was admitted to the profession. Since then, women in law have made great strides, especially since 1994, but there is still a long road to travel.
Bowmans appoints Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki as a senior consultant
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is pleased to announce that Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, MBS, has joined its top tier Competition Practice as a senior consultant in Nairobi.
Bowmans appoints Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki as a senior consultant
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is pleased to announce that Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, MBS, has joined its top tier Competition Practice as a senior consultant in Nairobi.
Bowmans appoints Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki as a senior consultant
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is pleased to announce that Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, MBS, has joined its top tier Competition Practice as a senior consultant in Nairobi.
Litigation specialist joins Bowmans in Cape Town
Leading African law firm Bowmans has expanded its litigation capabilities in Cape Town by appointing well-respected litigation lawyer, Lucien Lewin, as a partner.
Litigation specialist joins Bowmans in Cape Town
Leading African law firm Bowmans has expanded its litigation capabilities in Cape Town by appointing well-respected litigation lawyer, Lucien Lewin, as a partner.
Bowmans is once again a top performer at the African Legal Awards
The technical expertise of leading African law firm, Bowmans, has once again been recognised. The firm walked away with four practice awards at the African Legal Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on Friday last week (2 September).
Dividends tax increase for Kuwaiti, Dutch and Swedish shareholders is back in the SA spotlight
After years in limbo, it appears that the days of 0% dividends tax applying to Kuwaiti, Dutch and Swedish shareholders investing in South Africa are numbered. Only two steps remain before the rate will be increased to 5%.
Preparing for lift-off: Kenya’s largest debt and equity restructuring transaction yet
Once the last loose ends have been tied up, Kenya will be celebrating its largest debt and equity restructuring transaction yet: the record-breaking USD 2.2 billion restructuring of Kenya Airways PLC. This is according to the lead legal advisor on the transaction, pan-African law firm Bowmans.
Court rules on one of South Africa’s most publicised hate speech matters
On Friday, 18 August 2017, the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division ruled in favour of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), in the matter of South African Human Rights Commission & 3 Others v Jon Qwelane, and declared that comments made by former newspaper editor Jonathan
Foreign lenders should be aware of credit and loan requirements in South Africa
This article looks at the extensive exchange control rules that govern the inflow and outflow of capital, as well as some stringent legal requirements pertaining to credit and financial assistance, which are pivotal to the success of lending transactions involving a non-South African lender.
NEW LICENSING FRAMEWORK LIKELY FOR FINANCIAL ADVISORS
Uncertainty over the future of financial advisors in South Africa is gradually lifting - and it’s clear that change is in store.
BOWMANS ADVISES ON HIGH-PROFILE COMPETITION MATTERS
Pan-African law firm Bowmans advised or was associated with three matters that were recognised as winners at the 7th Annual Global Competition Review (GCR) Awards held in Washington on Wednesday, 28 March 2017.
Senior M&A lawyer Deepa Vallabh joins Bowmans in Johannesburg
Pre-eminent African law firm Bowmans continues to expand the depth and diversity of its M&A Practice in South Africa. The firm today announced the appointment of senior M&A lawyer Deepa Vallabh as a partner in its Johannesburg office with effect from 1 November.
Bowmans Durban on a growth path with new M&A partner
Pre-eminent African law firm Bowmans continues to expand its presence and capabilities as a top-tier legal services provider, this time in Durban South Africa, where corporate law and M&A specialist, Andrew Davidson, has joined as a partner with effect from 1 September 2024.
Bowmans appoints competition law partner with deep pan-African experience
Leading African international law firm Bowmans has appointed pan-African competition law specialist HB Senekal as a partner in its Johannesburg Competition Practice.
Bowmans’ winning M&A Practice in South Africa continues to grow
Leading African law firm Bowmans has further enhanced its standing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through strategic appointments at its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans’ winning M&A Practice in South Africa continues to grow
Leading African law firm Bowmans has further enhanced its standing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through strategic appointments at its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans named Africa Law Firm of the Year by IFLR
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, secured a range of prestigious honours at the IFLR Africa Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg last night (11 April 2024). The awards celebrate, the ‘most legally innovative cross-border deals closed in region in 2023 and the teams and individuals behind them’.
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is expanding once again, this time into Namibia. The firm has announced that it will join forces with Koep & Partners (Koep) from 1 March 2024, to establish a presence in Namibia, which is on the cusp of significant growth.
Bowmans gears up for future growth
Shortly after announcing its expansion into Namibia and, subsequently, the promotion of 13 partners, leading African law firm Bowmans has outlined the appointment of a new leadership team to drive it forward.
Johannesburg, 5 March 2024 – Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is expanding once again, this time into Namibia. The firm has announced that it will join forces with Koep & Partners (Koep) from 1 March 2024, to establish a presence in Namibia, which is on the cusp of significant growth.
Bowmans expands its business rescue and insolvency capability in Johannesburg
Leading African law firm Bowmans has expanded its South African business rescue, restructuring and insolvency capabilities to Johannesburg by appointing a team of six high-calibre lawyers specialising in the field. The new team supplements Bowmans’ Cape Town based team.
Bowmans appoints Zingisa Motloba as partner in its Johannesburg Private Equity Practice
Leading African law firm Bowmans is further strengthening its private equity presence through the appointment of Zingisa Motloba as partner in its Johannesburg office.
Bowmans Kenya celebrates 15th anniversary
September 2023 marks a milestone in the history of leading African law firm Bowmans. Fifteen years ago, Bowmans Kenya was established in a move that marked the start of Bowmans’ growth across the continent.
Leading African law firm Bowmans celebrates a decade of focussed pro bono contributions
On Thursday 21 September, ahead of Heritage Day in South Africa, leading African law firm Bowmans, held an event to celebrate a decade of focussed pro bono efforts. Bowmans managing partner, Alan Keep, highlighted that Bowmans has always been a responsible corporate citizen, and its people have be
Top litigation lawyer returns to her roots at Bowmans
Leading African law firm Bowmans is further strengthening its dispute resolution capacity in South Africa by appointing senior litigation lawyer Vanessa Jacklin-Levin as a partner in its Johannesburg Litigation Practice.
Experiencing the benefits of gender equity in the legal profession
It has been 100 years since the first female attorney in South Africa, Irene Geffen, was admitted to the profession. Since then, women in law have made great strides, especially since 1994, but there is still a long road to travel.
Experiencing the benefits of gender equity in the legal profession
It has been 100 years since the first female attorney in South Africa, Irene Geffen, was admitted to the profession. Since then, women in law have made great strides, especially since 1994, but there is still a long road to travel.
Bowmans appoints Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki as a senior consultant
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is pleased to announce that Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, MBS, has joined its top tier Competition Practice as a senior consultant in Nairobi.
Bowmans appoints Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki as a senior consultant
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is pleased to announce that Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, MBS, has joined its top tier Competition Practice as a senior consultant in Nairobi.
Bowmans appoints Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki as a senior consultant
Leading African law firm, Bowmans, is pleased to announce that Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, MBS, has joined its top tier Competition Practice as a senior consultant in Nairobi.
Litigation specialist joins Bowmans in Cape Town
Leading African law firm Bowmans has expanded its litigation capabilities in Cape Town by appointing well-respected litigation lawyer, Lucien Lewin, as a partner.
Litigation specialist joins Bowmans in Cape Town
Leading African law firm Bowmans has expanded its litigation capabilities in Cape Town by appointing well-respected litigation lawyer, Lucien Lewin, as a partner.
Bowmans is once again a top performer at the African Legal Awards
The technical expertise of leading African law firm, Bowmans, has once again been recognised. The firm walked away with four practice awards at the African Legal Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on Friday last week (2 September).
Dividends tax increase for Kuwaiti, Dutch and Swedish shareholders is back in the SA spotlight
After years in limbo, it appears that the days of 0% dividends tax applying to Kuwaiti, Dutch and Swedish shareholders investing in South Africa are numbered. Only two steps remain before the rate will be increased to 5%.
Preparing for lift-off: Kenya’s largest debt and equity restructuring transaction yet
Once the last loose ends have been tied up, Kenya will be celebrating its largest debt and equity restructuring transaction yet: the record-breaking USD 2.2 billion restructuring of Kenya Airways PLC. This is according to the lead legal advisor on the transaction, pan-African law firm Bowmans.
Court rules on one of South Africa’s most publicised hate speech matters
On Friday, 18 August 2017, the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division ruled in favour of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), in the matter of South African Human Rights Commission & 3 Others v Jon Qwelane, and declared that comments made by former newspaper editor Jonathan
Foreign lenders should be aware of credit and loan requirements in South Africa
This article looks at the extensive exchange control rules that govern the inflow and outflow of capital, as well as some stringent legal requirements pertaining to credit and financial assistance, which are pivotal to the success of lending transactions involving a non-South African lender.
NEW LICENSING FRAMEWORK LIKELY FOR FINANCIAL ADVISORS
Uncertainty over the future of financial advisors in South Africa is gradually lifting - and it’s clear that change is in store.
BOWMANS ADVISES ON HIGH-PROFILE COMPETITION MATTERS
Pan-African law firm Bowmans advised or was associated with three matters that were recognised as winners at the 7th Annual Global Competition Review (GCR) Awards held in Washington on Wednesday, 28 March 2017.