Werksmans Attorneys is a leading South African corporate and commercial law firm serving multinationals, listed companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, individuals and government. With over 200 lawyers, 22 practice areas and representation in over 20 African countries through our Lex Africa alliance as founding members, a firm like ours made up of versatile multi-specialists, brings in combined legal expertise that goes well beyond the 100-year mark. With a formidable track record in mergers & acquisitions, banking & finance, and commercial litigation & dispute resolution, the firm’s success is built on a solid foundation of insightful and innovative deal structuring and legal advice, a keen ability to understand business and economic imperatives and a strong focus on achieving the best legal outcome for clients.

Accolades and awards:
Beyond the need to merely operate as a top-ranked highly successful corporate and commercial law firm, is the need to make a difference in all we do. We carry out pro bono services not only ‘for the public good’ but also to satisfy our own desire to reach those who cannot afford the kind of legal advice they need. Werksmans won an award at the 4th Annual Pro Bono Awards ceremony in 2017 in honour of staffing work and assisting clients in the Pro Bono.Org Labour Law Clinic.

We also receive a variety of local and international marketplace accolades acknowledging the firm’s leadership in the field of corporate and commercial law in South Africa namely:

• In 2019, a double win for Werksmans - we were awarded Law Firm of The Year as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Commercial Law won by our chairman, David Hertz by the South African Professional Services Awards (SAPSA).
• We are continuously ranked by Chambers Global, Legal500 and IFLR1000 across various practice areas and numerous of our lawyers being ranked individually as leading lawyers in their respective fields.

The people of Werksmans are invigorated, inspired beings. We make it our business to understand the client – their needs, their concerns, their expectations, and their unique circumstances. We approach all matters with a deep understanding of the full impact of our advice on all facets of our clients’ business – and then we forge a process through which we ensure the advice we give brings about the best possible outcome.

Werksmans people are drawn from diverse backgrounds and South African contexts. As one of few major independent law firms in the country, we are always on the hunt for extraordinary people who think for themselves and who define their own path in life, because these people invariably share our core values and service ethos.

If you are looking for a firm that will give you hands-on experience and access to some of the most brilliant legal minds on the African continent, then Werksmans is right for you.