Eversheds has further extended its presence in South Africa, establishing a new formal alliance with Cape Town firm Walkers, which counts clients including EY, Investec, Standard Bank and Woolworths.
Under the agreement, Walkers, which is a full service law firm, will continue to trade under its own name but will work closely with Eversheds in servicing clients. Eversheds already has two offices in Johannesburg in South Africa and a third in Durban which it opened last year (2014).
Over the last couple of years, the firm has also bolstered its Africa presence through the expansion of its Eversheds Africa Law Institute (EALI), a network of independent firms from across the continent, which currently incorporates 37 offices across Africa. Eversheds itself also has an existing presence in Africa, with offices in Casablanca, Durban, Johannesburg, Mauritius, Morocco, Tangier and Tunis.
Commenting on the tie-up, Peter van Niekerk, managing partner Eversheds South Africa, said: ‘Walkers are a first class firm who follow the same client focused ethos as Eversheds. I look forward to welcoming them on board and being able to offer our clients real expertise in one of South Africa’s most vibrant business hubs.’
Charl Theron, chairman of Walkers added: ‘This tie-up empowers Walkers to expand its service offering and expertise across Africa. In addition to this, the international reach of Eversheds will enhance our service offering to our many international clients.’
Africa seems to be the destination of choice for firms this week, with Norton Rose Fulbright announcing yesterday (24 February) strategic alliances with Ugandan firm Shonubi Musoke & Co Advocates and Zimbabwean firm Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans.
kathryn.mccann@legalease.co.uk
