What is a Law Firm?
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law.
The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients (individuals or corporations) about their legal rights and responsibilities and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other matters in which legal advice and other assistance are sought.
Top Black Law Firms In South Africa
Allen & Overy – Banking and finance law
Allen & Overy is a multinational law firm and a member of the United Kingdom’s Magic Circle, a small group of elite law firms.
The South African branch is under the parent firm headquartered in the UK. In 2019, Allen & Overy was among the two firms to surpass the US$1 trillion in deal value. It is the world’s 10th-largest law firm by revenue.
Bowmans – Competition/antitrust law and labor and employment law
Bowmans is one of the leading law firms in South Africa with a massive team of experienced practitioners. The company provides a wide range of services.
With eight offices in six African countries and over 400 specialist lawyers, Bowmans has become the leading legal practice on matters touching on antitrust, labor, and employment law.
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr – Mining law
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, commonly abbreviated as CDH, is a full-service corporate law firm with an extensive reach across Africa. The firm consists of more than 350 lawyers and has been in operation for over 169 years.
CDH’s Africa practice saw it become the top law firm on matters related to mining law. This is quite significant since South Africa has an extremely vibrant mining industry, meaning there are always legal issues surrounding this economic sector.
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENSafrica) – Tax law
ENSafrica is the largest law firm in Africa. The company currently has over 600 practitioners and has been operational for more than 100 years.
ENSafrica specializes in all commercial areas of law, including tax, forensics, and intellectual property. Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs is one of the world-famous ‘Big Five’ law firms in South Africa.
Glyn Marais – Real estate law
Glyn Marais has been one of the leading real estate law firms in South Africa since its inception in 1990. With a highly competent and specialized team, the firm has built a reputation for excellent service and an in-depth understanding of the operations of blue-chip real estate companies.
Glyn Marais focuses on property law and has extensive experience in the commercial, retail, industrial, residential, and tourism sectors.
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa – Insurance law
Norton Rose Fulbright is an international law firm and the second-largest law firm in the United States.
It is also one of the ten largest legal practices globally, by both lawyers and revenue, and has more than 3700 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, South Africa, and the Middle East.
What was the first black-owned law firm in South Africa?
Mandela and Tambo
Mandela and Tambo was a South African law firm established by Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in Johannesburg in late 1952. It was the first “Attorney Firm” in the country to be run by black partners.