Big Five (law firms) in South Africa
The Big Five law firms is a term informally used in South Africa to refer to those law firms which, collectively, are perceived to be the leading law firms based in South Africa.
The following firms are usually seen as comprising the "Big Five" (listed alphabetically):[1][2]
Name | Founded | No. of offices | No. of attorneys | No. of employees |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB Attorneys | 1500 | 2000 | 5 (2015) [3] | 550+ (2015) [4] |
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr1 | 1853[5] | 2[6] | 250+ (2015) [7] | 600+ (2015) [8] |
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, trading as ENSafrica | 1905[9] | 14 (including two pro bono offices)[10] | 600+ (2015)[11] | 1020+ (2014) [12] |
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa2 | 1922[13] | 3[14] | 200+ (2015)[15] | 500+ (2015)[16] |
Webber Wentzel in alliance with Linklaters3 | 1868 [17] | 2[18] | 450+ (2015)[19] | 800+ (2015)[20] |
Note1: Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr was formerly allied with DLA Piper. Its affiliation with DLA Piper ended at the end of August 2015.[21]
Note2: On 1 June 2011, Deneys Reitz Inc joined UK based firm Norton Rose.[22]
Note3: Webber Wentzel is an associate of ALN.[23] On 1 February 2013, the firm entered into a collaborative alliance with global law firm Linklaters.[24]
Rankings
Chambers and Partners Global Rankings
Chambers and Partners Global Rankings of the number of lawyers recognised as leaders in their respective fields.
Rank | Name | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Webber Wentzel | 38[25] | 40[26] | 46[27] |
2 | ENSafrica | 25 | 37[28] | 45[29] |
3 | Bowmans | 26 | 27[30] | 31[31] |
4 | Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr | 21 | 23[32] | 25[33] |
5 | Werksmans | 16 | 16[34] | 17[35] |
Norton Rose South Africa | 16 | 212 | 262[36] |
Note2: No individual ranking is available for Norton Rose South Africa. Thus, not all South African ranked attorneys may be part of Norton Rose South Africa, but are part of Norton Rose Global.
Who's Who Legal Global 100
Law firms included in the Global 100 aren't assigned a specific ranking.
Year | Firm3 |
---|---|
2013 | ENSafrica[37] |
2013, 2014[38] | Webber Wentzel[39] |
Note3: firms listed alphabetically
Who's Who Legal South African Law firm of the year
Year | Firm |
---|---|
2015 | Webber Wentzel[40] [41] |
2014 | Webber Wentzel[42] |
2013 | Webber Wentzel |
2012 | Webber Wentzel[43] |
2011 | Webber Wentzel[44] |
2010 | Bowmans [45] |
2009 | |
2008 | Bowmans [46] |
2007 | Webber Wentzel |
2006 | Webber Wentzel |
Mergermarket M&A Awards: Legal Advisor of the Year - Sub-Saharan Africa
Year | Firm |
---|---|
2013 | Webber Wentzel[47] |
2012 | ENSafrica[48] |
2011 | Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr[49] |
2010 | ENSafrica[50] |
Other major law firms
Firms with more than 50 attorneys are generally viewed as midsize law firms.[51][52][53]
Name | Founded | No. of offices | No. of attorneys | No. of employees | Revenue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adams & Adams | 1908[54] | 16[55] | 145+ (2014)[56] | ||
Fasken Martineau South Africa (formerly Bell Dewar) | 1901 [57] | 1[58] | 65+ (2011)[59] | ||
Hogan Lovells South Africa (formerly Routledge Modise) | 1892[60] | 1[61] | 120+ (2014)[62] | ||
Shepstone & Wylie | 1872[63] | 6[64] | 74+ (2014)[65] | ||
Spoor & Fisher | 1920[66] | 4[67] | 50+ (2014)[68] | 310+ (2011)[69] | |
STBB - Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes | 1900[70] | 12+[71] | 80+ (2016)[72] | 280+ (2016) | |
Werksmans | 1917[73] | 4[74] | 180+ (2014)[75] | 400+ (2011) |
See also
- List of law firms in Uganda
- Magic Circle (law)
- Golden Circle (law)
- Silver Circle (law)
- White shoe firm
- Seven Sisters (law firms)
- Big Six law firms
- Red Circle
- Big Four law firms (Japan)
References
- ↑ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Law-Firms-South-Africa-Sonnenbergs/dp/1157393721 Law Firms of South Africa: Webber Wentzel, Bowman Gilfillan, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENSafrica), Big Five Law Firms Retrieved 4 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/business-features/finance/africa%E2%80%99s-top-corporate-lawyers Africa’s top Corporate Lawyers Retrieved 4 March 2010
- ↑ http://www.bowman.co.za/ Who are we Updated 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.bowman.co.za/ Who are we Updated 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.martindale.com/Cliffe-Dekker-Inc/1266536-law-firm-office.htm CDH Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ "Contact us - Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr". www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
- ↑ http://www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com/en/people/?pg=1 DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com/en/people/?pg=1 DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.hrfuture.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2605&return=L2luZGV4LnBocD9vcHRpb249Y29tX2NvbnRlbnQmdmlldz1jYXRlZ29yeSZsYXlvdXQ9YmxvZyZpZD0xMTQmSXRlbWlkPTY5Mw== ENS Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.ensafrica.com/contact Contact Us Retrieved 21 February 2014
- ↑ http://www.ensafrica.com/about-us Retrieved 25 July 2014
- ↑ http://www.top-employers.com/en/companyprofiles/ZA/ENS/ Retrieved 31 July 2014
- ↑ http://www.deneysreitz.co.za/index.php/index/content/profile Profile Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.nortonrose.com/za/about-us/about-norton-rose-south-africa/ Norton Rose South Africa Retrieved 24 June 2011
- ↑ http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/za/about-us/ Norton Rose South Africa Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/za/about-us/ Norton Rose South Africa Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.sabar.co.za/law-journals/2007/august/2007-august-vol020-no2-p46.pdf The Firm: a Biography of Webber Wentzel Bowens Retrieved 31 December 2010 2010
- ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2010. Webber Wentzel Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-who-we-are Webber Wentzel Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-who-we-are Webber Wentzel Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ↑ http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/index.php/lb-blog-view/4525-dla-piper-ends-south-african-alliance-as-it-eyes-launch-in-jo-burg
- ↑ http://www.nortonrose.com/aboutus/ogilvyrenaultanddeneysreitz/default31995.aspx?lang=en-gb Ogilvy Renault and Deneys Reitz to join Norton Rose Group Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-africa-overview Africa Overview Retrieved 6 May 2012
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-in-the-news?oid=38298&sn=Detail-2011&pid=32438 Webber Wentzel in alliance with Linklaters Retrieved 25 December 2012
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/UK/Firms/3753-40029 Webber Wentzel Retrieved 21 March 2012
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/UK/Firms/3753-73632 Webber Wentzel Retrieved 27 May 2013
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/UK/Firms/3753-73632 Webber Wentzel Retrieved 26 March 2014 - updated 5 November 2014
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/132639-73565 Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Retrieved 23 May 2013
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/132639-73565 Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Retrieved 26 March 2014 - updated 5 November 2014
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/2677-73565 Bowman Gilfillan retrieved 4 June 2013
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/2677-73565 Bowman Gilfillan retrieved 26 March 2014 - updated 5 November 2014
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/3733-73565 Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr retrieved 4 June 2013
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/3733-73565 Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr retrieved 26 March 2014 - updated 5 November 2014
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/3754-73565 Werksmans retrieved 4 June 2013
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/3754-73565 Werksmans retrieved 26 March 2014 - updated 5 November 2014
- ↑ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/firm/309/2 Norton Rose Fulbright retrieved 26 March 2014 - updated 5 November 2014
- ↑ http://whoswholegal.com/wwl100/
- ↑ http://whoswholegal.com/news/community/article/31470/whos-legal-100/
- ↑ http://whoswholegal.com/awards/countrystate/
- ↑ http://whoswholegal.com/awards/countrystate/
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww-who-we-are Who we are Retrieved 22 December 2015
- ↑ http://whoswholegal.com/awards/countrystate/
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/accolades Accolades Retrieved 6 May 2012
- ↑ http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/accolades Accolades Retrieved 6 May 2012
- ↑ http://www.legal500.com/c/south-africa/developments/15772 Accolades Retrieved 6 May 2012
- ↑ http://www.hg.org/attorney/Bowman-Gilfillan/56503 Accolades Retrieved 6 May 2012
- ↑ http://www.mergermarket.com/info/2013/12/12/winners-announced-for-the-financial-times-and-mergermarket-european-ma-awards-2013/ Retrieved 23 December 2013
- ↑ http://mergermarketgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FT-mergermarket-Awards-Winners-Press-Release-Europe-2012.pdf Retrieved 13 June 2013
- ↑ http://www.mergermarket.com/pdf/European-MA-Awards-winners-2011-press-release.pdf Retrieved 13 June 2013
- ↑ http://www.mergermarket.com/pdf/European-MA-Awards-winners-2010-press-release-FINAL.pdf Retrieved 13 June 2013
- ↑ Michael H. Trotter, Profit and the Practice of Law: What's Happened to the Legal Profession (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1997), 46.
- ↑ http://research.lawyers.com/Understanding-How-Law-Offices-Do-Business.html Understanding How Law Offices Do Business Retrieved 6 March 2010
- ↑ http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202463361909&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1 THE 2010 MIDSIZE HOT LIST Retrieved 6 March 2010
- ↑ http://www.adamsadams.com/index.php/about/history/ History Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.adamsadams.com/index.php/contact/ Contact Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.adamsadams.com/index.php/about/our_people/P135/ People Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.belldewar.co.za/our_history.html Our History Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.belldewar.co.za/contact.html Contact Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.legal500.com/firms/12226-bell-dewar/offices/13382-johannesburg/profile Bell Dewar Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.martindale.com/Routledge-Modise-Attorneys/law-firm-987929.htm Routledge Modise Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.hoganlovells.com/johannesburg/ Johannesburg Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.hoganlovells.com/johannesburg/ Johannesburg Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.expertguides.com/default.asp?page=2&egaBOBID=&CountryID=98&ExpertOfficeID=30500&GuideID=236&fcIndex=3583&fIndex=2543 Shepstone 4 Wylie Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.wylie.co.za/ContactUs.aspx Contact us Updated 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.wylie.co.za/Attorneys/0/All Find a Lawyer Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.spoor.com/home/index.php?ipkContentID=128&ipkMenuID=118 History of Spoor & Fisher Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.spoor.com/home/index.php?ipkContentID=142&ipkMenuID=147 Our offices Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.spoor.com/home/Overview_of_Firm-114.html Overview of Firm Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.spoor.com/home/index.php?ipkContentID=142&ipkMenuID=147 Our offices Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.stbb.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/STBB-Firm-Profile.pdf Retrieved 28 September 2016
- ↑ http://www.stbb.co.za/branch-details/ Retrieved 28 September 2016
- ↑ http://www.stbb.co.za/attorneys/ Overview of Firm Retrieved 28 September 2016
- ↑ http://www.werksmans.co.za/43/about-us/ About Us Retrieved 6 March 2011
- ↑ http://www.werksmans.com/contact-us/general-enquiries/ General Enquiries Retrieved 4 September 2014
- ↑ http://www.legal500.com/firms/11982-werksmans-attorneys/13253-johannesburg Werksmans Updated 4 September 2014