Elliott Wood heads Werksmans Attorneys’ banking and finance practice, which is well known for representing major financial institutions, domestic and international banks and clients drawn from a range of sectors, including agriculture, commodities, retail and healthcare, in high-value debt refinancings, asset finance matters, acquisition and leveraged finance mandates, and project and limited recourse finance work. Richard Roothman ‘has vast experience and a depth of expertise in all areas of banking and finance’, and Laura Alexander acts for lenders and borrowers in preference shared transactions and corporate debt restructurings. The department was bolstered by the arrival of Jenni Darling in March 2023.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Depth of expertise and pragmatic approach.'
‘Richard Roothman is unassuming and easy to work with.’
‘Jenni Darling and all of her team take the time to understand our business, the objectives of the transaction and work with us to find the most effective and efficient way of achieving those objectives. Jenni has developed an excellent understanding of our needs and she always strives to meet or exceed those needs.'
- 'Jenni is an exceptionally knowledgeable and talented lawyer, yet she is never shy to seek guidance from or refer to colleagues on the rare occasion when an issue is outside her expertise. Her fees are always fair and reasonable while the quality of work is exceptional and the service delivery is remarkable.'
- ‘This is an extremely well-rounded practice in that not only will you get legal advice of the highest quality, but the commercial acumen of the team means that this advice is complemented by an approach that is grounded in what will work best for you and your company.'
‘Full commercial approach to each deal with great legal knowledge.'
‘Truly understands us as clients and the objectives we need to reach.'
‘The words that comes to mind are style, class and determination.'
Key clients
- The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
- Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.
- Thelo Rolling Stock Leasing Proprietary Limited
- Tennant Metals South Africa Proprietary Limited
- Investec Property Fund
- Afgri Group Holdings
- Redink Rentals
- Pallidus Capital
- Vantage Capital Group (Pty) Ltd
- Rand Merchant Bank
- Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited
- Transaction Capital Limited
- Nutun Proprietary Limited
- SA Taxi Holdings Proprietary Limited
- Trident Steel Africa Proprietary Limited
- Wasteplan Holdings Proprietary Limited
- Nedbank Limited
- MetroFibre Networx Proprietary Limited
- Investec Bank Limited
- The South African Reserve Bank
Work highlights
- Acted as South African counsel to Steinhoff in relation to the structuring and implementation of its equity reorganisation, and the extension of the maturity of its Group Services Debt, via a WHOA procedure.
- Advised Rand Merchant Bank on the ZAR12 billion syndicated term loan facility provided to Multichoice Group as funding for its business growth.
- Advised MetroFibre Networx on all aspects of a R5bn financing used to expand the client's business in South Africa.
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Jenni Darling
Werksmans AttorneysPractice head
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Elliott Wood