White & Case has been actively advising clients on the African continent for over 30 years. We were the first international firm to open an office in South Africa in 1995. Our comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the practical implications of doing business in Africa, has allowed us to successfully conclude some of the largest transactions on the African continent.

Johannesburg-The Gateway to Africa

Our involvement in projects on the African continent has given us unique insight and experience in how to get deals done efficiently and economically. We have significant expertise in mergers and acquisitions, IPO’s and capital markets transactions, mining and metals, energy and power projects and project development and finance.

We have played a key role in a significant portion of all cross-border transactions involving South Africa. This includes international companies making acquisitions or developing projects in South Africa, as well as, advising South African companies pursuing transactions or projects in Africa and the rest of the world.

Our Johannesburg office is staffed by UK/US and South African qualified lawyers who are either South African citizens or are domiciled within South Africa. This allows the Johannesburg office to have a true "on the ground" presence in South Africa.

Our successful track record is due to the seamless and real-time interaction of the Johannesburg office with the rest of the firm’s offices throughout the world. This enables us to offer our clients a truly international service.

We are highly rated by independent observers and we continue to expand our Johannesburg team in response to the growing demand for our specialized legal services, and as part of a concerted drive to grow our business in sub-Saharan Africa.

Our Johannesburg office:

• has a complement of experienced South African, US and UK qualified lawyers;
• has in- depth South African and African experience successfully navigating the political and legal landscapes;
• has extensive experience with Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) transactions ;
• maintains strong relationships with all levels of the South Africa government, local securities, competition and other regulatory bodies;
• advises on the development of complex structures for cross-border transactions; and
• has varied in-house language capabilities: French, Portuguese, German, Hungarian, Russian, Dutch, English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.

Independent Rankings:

• Ranked "1st Tier" in Africa – Chambers Global 2007 & 2008
• Ranked "1st Tier" in Global Regions: Africa (General Business Law) – Chambers Global 2008
• Ranked "1st Tier" in Global Practice Areas: Projects – Chambers Global 2008
• Ranked "1st Tier" in South Africa: Project Finance/PPP – Chambers Global 2008
• Ranked "1st Tier" in South Africa: Projects & Infrastructure – Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2007
• Ranked "2nd Tier" in South Africa: Mining – Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2007
• Highly recommended for South Africa: Energy – PLC Which Lawyer? 2007
• Recommended for South Africa: Environment – PLC Which Lawyer? 2007
• Recommended for South Africa: Corporate M&A – PLC Which Lawyer? 2007

Click here to view a list of our attorneys.

• Exit from Airport car park and follow the R24 towards Johannesburg.
• At the N3 (North) intersection follow signs reading N1 - Pretoria. Continue on this route until Malboro (M60) off ramp.
• At the Malboro off ramp, keep to the left on the slipway which will bring you onto Malboro Road.
• On Malboro Road continue straight on until the M1 (South) off ramp to your left (this is the slipway just after the set of traffic lights crossing Old Pretoria Road). Keep to the left on the slipway which will bring you onto the M1 (South).
• At the M1 (South) continue till the next off ramp which is Grayston.
• Take the Grayston off ramp (keep to your right at the traffic lights), which will bring you onto Grayston Drive.  Continue on this road until you reach Rivonia Road.
• Turn left into Rivonia Road
• Follow Rivonia Road all the way down to St David Marist Brothers School (on your left
• There is a traffic light/set of robots at the school.
• Turn right into Melville Road (The road veers to the left a bit)
• Drive for about 30m  and you will see the sign for The Reserve on your left.

Click on map to expand