Below are profiles of 10 leading commercial and full-service law firms in South Africa. These firms are recognised for advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, government bodies, state-owned enterprises, and private clients on a broad range of legal matters across South Africa and internationally.
1. Webber Wentzel
Company history
Founded in 1868, Webber Wentzel is one of South Africa’s oldest and most respected commercial law firms. The firm has built a strong reputation for advising leading South African and international businesses on complex corporate transactions, disputes, and regulatory matters. Through its alliance with Linklaters, it offers clients access to an extensive international legal network.
Services
- Corporate & Mergers and Acquisitions
- Banking & Finance
- Competition Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment
- Tax
- Mining & Energy
- Real Estate
- Projects & Infrastructure
- Intellectual Property
Address
90 Rivonia Road, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 530 5000
Homepage
Webber Wentzel
2. Bowmans
Company history
Established in 1889, Bowmans is one of Africa’s leading corporate law firms, with offices across several African jurisdictions. The firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, private equity firms, and government entities on cross-border transactions and commercial disputes.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Competition
- Employment
- Litigation
- Tax
- Projects & Infrastructure
- Real Estate
- Private Equity
Address
11 Alice Lane, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 669 9000
Homepage
Bowmans
3. ENS
Company history
Founded in 1908, ENS is Africa’s largest law firm by number of practitioners. The firm has offices throughout Africa and is recognised for advising clients on high-value corporate, finance, mining, infrastructure, and dispute resolution matters.
Services
- Corporate Commercial
- Banking & Finance
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment
- Tax
- Intellectual Property
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Competition
- Technology
Address
150 West Street, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 269 7600
Homepage
ENS
4. Werksmans Attorneys
Company history
Established in 1905, Werksmans Attorneys is one of South Africa’s premier business law firms. The firm is highly regarded for its expertise in mergers and acquisitions, competition law, litigation, and tax advisory services.
Services
- Corporate
- Commercial Litigation
- Banking & Finance
- Competition
- Employment
- Tax
- Insolvency & Business Rescue
- Intellectual Property
- Mining
- Real Estate
Address
The Central, 96 Rivonia Road, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 535 8000
Homepage
Werksmans Attorneys
5. Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH)
Company history
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr traces its origins to 1853, making it one of South Africa’s oldest commercial law firms. The firm is recognised for its expertise in corporate law, dispute resolution, mining, infrastructure, and employment law.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Litigation
- Employment
- Tax
- Mining & Minerals
- Construction
- Competition
- Intellectual Property
- Real Estate
Address
1 Protea Place, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 562 1000
Homepage
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
6. Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc.
Company history
Originally established as Deneys Reitz in 1927, the firm became part of Norton Rose Fulbright in 2012. Today, it combines local expertise with the resources of one of the world’s largest international legal practices.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Employment
- Litigation
- Real Estate
- Tax
- Transport
- Financial Services Regulation
Address
15 Alice Lane, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 685 8500
Homepage
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa
7. Adams & Adams
Company history
Founded in 1908, Adams & Adams is internationally recognised as one of Africa’s leading intellectual property and commercial law firms. The firm represents clients across Africa in trademark, patent, copyright, and commercial matters.
Services
- Intellectual Property
- Corporate & Commercial
- Litigation
- Employment
- Competition
- Tax
- Property Law
- Regulatory Law
- Data Protection
- Commercial Contracts
Address
Lynwood Bridge 4, Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa
Telephone
+27 12 432 6000
Homepage
Adams & Adams
8. Spoor & Fisher
Company history
Established in 1920, Spoor & Fisher has become one of Africa’s leading specialist intellectual property law firms. The firm advises multinational corporations and innovative businesses throughout Africa on protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights.
Services
- Intellectual Property
- Patents
- Trade Marks
- Copyright
- Designs
- Commercial Litigation
- Licensing
- Anti-Counterfeiting
- Regulatory Advice
- IP Strategy
Address
11 Byls Bridge Boulevard, Highveld Ext 73, Centurion, 0157, South Africa
Telephone
+27 12 676 1111
Homepage
Spoor & Fisher
9. Garlicke & Bousfield Incorporated
Company history
Founded in 1892, Garlicke & Bousfield is one of South Africa’s leading full-service commercial law firms. With offices in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Umhlanga, the firm advises businesses across a wide range of industries.
Services
- Corporate
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment
- Shipping & Maritime
- Property
- Tax
- Insolvency
- Environmental Law
- Construction
- Insurance
Address
7 Torsvale Crescent, La Lucia Ridge Office Estate, Durban, 4051, South Africa
Telephone
+27 31 570 5400
Homepage
Garlicke & Bousfield
10. Hogan Lovells South Africa
Company history
Hogan Lovells established its South African presence in 2013 through a combination with Routledge Modise. As part of the global Hogan Lovells network, the firm advises domestic and international clients on corporate transactions, disputes, and regulatory matters across Africa.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment
- Infrastructure
- Mining
- Energy
- Competition
- Intellectual Property
- Regulatory Compliance
Address
140 West Street, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Telephone
+27 11 052 6000
Homepage
Hogan Lovells South Africa