Ezra Davids
Bowmans
More informationM&A forms the backbone of Bowmans’ transactional practice, and the ‘very responsive’ team has an excellent track in advising financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, government departments, domestic and international companies and banks on public and private M&A mandates. Joint ventures and private equity deals are other key drivers of work for the group. Charles Douglas and Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe jointly head up the department; Ezra Davids stands out as ‘a superb corporate advisor’, and Nanga Kwinana assists with domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as equity capital markets and corporate finance work. Naqeeba Hassan is also singled out for her contribution to the practice group. In April 2024 Angela Simpson joined the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Bowmans' corporate and M&A team is reliable and has a wealth of knowledge of various industries. This allows them to provide business orientated legal advice and with diligence and care.’
‘Nanga Kwinana provides sound, clear and practical legal advice.'
'Bowmans' corporate team is absolutely first-rate. They deliver excellent, business-savvy advice which is practical and commercial.'
'Excellent commercial knowledge and approach alongside world class technical skills and expertise.'
'Charles Young - very good, responsive and pragmatic.'
'Ezra has unrivalled connections within South Africa which can be invaluable in getting complex deals done.'
'Nanga Kwinana is a rising star - very diligent and thorough.'
Key clients
- Absa Bank Group Limited
- African Rainbow Minerals Limited
- AngloGold Ashanti
- Aker Horizons
- Alexander Forbes
- Allianz
- Anheuser-Busch Inbev Africa
- Ardagh Group S.A and Ardagh Glass Packaging Holdings Africa Proprietary Limited
- Barloworld Limited
- Digital Realty Inc.
- Export Trading Group
- Gateway Real Estate Africa Limited
- Imperial Logistics Limited
- Investec Bank
- Lanxess Deutschland GmbH
- Mediterranean Shipping Company S.a.r.l
- Mondelez
- Morgan Stanley
- Mr Price Group Limited
- MTN Group
- Old Mutual Alternative Investments
- Old Mutual Limited
- One Thousand and One Voices (Mauritius) Limited
- Petredec Onshore
- Rand Merchant Bank
- Royal Bafokeng Platinum
- Sasol South Africa Limited
- Simmons and Simmons LLP
- Sommet Education Sàrl
- Sphere Holdings
- Standard Bank Group Limited
- Sumeru Equity Partners L.P
- Telkom Limited
- Vendanta Resources plc
- Vivo Energy
- WSP Group Africa
- Yamana Gold Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising Allianz SE on the establishment of a joint venture with the South African financial services group, Sanlam.
- Acting as lead counsel to Kuehne Nagel International AG on implementing a series of interlinked transactions aimed at acquiring some entities in the Morgan Cargo Group, via some of the client's subsidiaries based in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Kenya.
- Advising Old Mutual on its proposed R2.8 billion BEE ownership transaction.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
John Bellew
Partner; Head Private Equity
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Charles Douglas
Partner
Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe
Partner; Head of M&A
Ashleigh Hale
Ashleigh Hale is a partner in Bowmans’ Johannesburg office Corporate Department.
She specialises in cross-border M&A, broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE), solvent restructurings, restructuring of state-owned assets, joint ventures and corporate governance.
She is renowned for her strong project management and execution skills when handling complex transactions.
She has long-standing relationships with many multinationals, financial services organisations and TMT sector clients. They rely on her commercial and client-focused advice to navigate the local legal landscapes and manage and mitigate their risks.
She has BA and LLB degrees from the University of Cape Town.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Lerato Thahane
Partner
Nanga Kwinana
Partner
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Charles Douglas, Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe