Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has launched a South African corporate practice with the hire of Bowman Gilfillan partner Rudolph du Plessis.
Du Plessis’ hire follows HSF’s Johannesburg launch last October through the appointment of Webber Wentzel finance lawyer Brigette Baillie and mining specialist Peter Leon and the relocation of Moscow banking and finance head Ed Baring and Paris energy and infrastructure head Bertrand Montembault.
In his 15-year career as a partner at Bowman Gilfillan Du Plessis has advised clients including Standard Bank and the Alexander Forbes group. He has particular expertise on cross-border M&A and advises companies on structuring issues and exchange control regulations relating to investment into South Africa.
Du Plessis said he was “attracted to Herbert Smith Freehills’ ambitious plans in the corporate market”.
Leon said HSF was committed to providing an “end-to-end” service in Africa.
Meanwhile DLA Piper has also hired a corporate partner from a South African firm. Webber Wentzel partner Johannes Gouws joins the firm as local managing partner.
He will rejoin former colleagues from DLA’s previous South African ally, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, including chief operating officer Michael Whitaker. DLA announced it was opening its own office in Johannesburg last August after abandoning its alliance with Cliffe Dekker.
Gouws worked at Cliffe Dekker legacy firm Hofmeyr Herbstein & Gihwala before leaving to join banking group Absa as general counsel. He was a partner at Webber Wentzel since 2008 and was most recently financial services sector group head.