6 December 2012
South African law firm Webber Wentzel has signed an agreement to enter a collaborative alliance with global law firm Linklaters, starting in February 2013, the company announced on Tuesday.
“The alliance will provide clients with a unique advantage in Africa through the firms’ combined experience, know-how and international and on-the-ground resources,” Linklaters said in a statement.
The partnerships will allow both firms to expand their African footprint, as well as enable Webber Wentzel to benefit from Linklaters partners in Asia-Pacific, particularly China, India, Korea, Japan and Australia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Linklaters also has specialist Africa-focused resources at its core offices in London, Lisbon and Paris.
The company was ranked the top international law firm in Africa by Chambers Global 2012, an independent guide to global law firms, and has experience in key traditional sectors in Africa, including energy, mining, infrastructure, telecommunications and financial services.
“We are confident that this collaborative alliance will further enable us to build lasting relationships with clients in Africa and those outside looking to invest in this dynamic market,” said Linklaters’ firm-wide managing partner, Simon Davies.
Webber Wentzel operates in sectors including mining, banking, insurance, media, property and telecommunications and has clients in over 47 African countries.
“Our alliance with Webber Wentzel further strengthens our market-leading service through an enhanced on-the-ground presence and the combining of teams of the best local and international lawyers, and underlines our-long-term commitment to clients doing business across the African continent,” said senior partner at Linklaters, Robert Elliot.
“Demand for cross-border legal services continues to grow strongly,” said senior partner at Webber Wentzel, David Lancaster. “This arrangement is consistent with our strategy of helping clients whenever they do business in Africa.
“There is huge potential for Africa growth – and therefore legal work – in a large and complex market,” he said.
SAinfo reporter
