Zaakira Haffejee Inc was established in May 2025 by Zaakira Haffejee as a boutique firm specialising in corporate and regulatory law, with its offering encompassing support with M&A, corporate structuring, B-BBEE transactions, and regulatory compliance.

Leading high-profile public and private M&A transactions, Bowmans represents key clients across the banking, energy, telecommunications, media, and communications sectors. Practice head Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe advises multinational corporations and financial institutions on a wide range of corporate matters. Ashleigh Hale focuses on post-merger integration and restructurings, while Charles Douglas handles demergers. Charles Young is noted for major mining and natural resources deals, Ezra Davids manages complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, and Gasant Orrie is skilled in inbound investments. Lerato Thahane advises on acquisitions, disposals, and empowerment transactions, while James Westgate advises on large consortium deals. The team is ably supported by Jacques Liebenberg, Viyola Van Zyl, Nanga Kwinana, and Charissa Beyers.

The 'extremely experienced and well-rounded' commercial team at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is well-known for advising multinationals on acquisitions, restructurings, BEE deals, disposals, joint ventures, and compliance matters. Practice head Ian Hayes has a strong track record of advising blue-chip clients in the mining, telecoms, and retail sectors on takeovers, restructurings, IPOs, and private equity transactions. Willem Jacobs is a leading M&A specialist, advising on cross-border transactions, capital markets, and restructurings, while Peter Hesseling plays a strategic role in M&A transactions, leading major deals for top institutional investors. Vivien Chaplin leads on mining M&A transactions, specialising in private and government-sector deals. Andre de Lange, Anita Moolman, Roxanna Valayathum, and Shameegh Allen are also notable contributors. Eben Smit joined the practice with insurance and financial services law expertise in November 2025.

The corporate team at ENSafrica is an expert across multiple disciplines, particularly in private equity, joint ventures, transactions, and shareholder activism. Co-leader of the practice, Doron Joffe, specialises in M&A transactions, restructuring mandates, corporate reorganisations, and takeovers, while co-leader Sanjay Kassen has stellar expertise in BEE transactions, capital raisings, and multi-jurisdictional mandates. Kevin Markman boasts expertise in hostile takeovers and complex corporate restructures, Brad Serebro is skilled in exchange control law, Witness Makhubele in schemes of arrangement and regulatory issues, and Matthew Morrison in corporate finance. Other key members of the practice include Nkosi Tshabalala, Chevan Daniels, Mohamed Sajit Darsot, Michael Katz, and Gabi Mailula.

Acclaimed for its ‘technical capabilities, commercial awareness, and solution-oriented approach,’ Webber Wentzel advises public and private clients on the full spectrum of corporate matters across various sectors, including banking, finance, competition, and mining. Co-leader Haydn Davies represents the interests of global companies in South Africa alongside co-leader Nomsa Mbere. Gareth Driver focuses on public M&A transactions, corporate finance, and joint ventures, while Safiyya Patel is skilled in BEE transactions. Christo Els advises on capital markets and securities regulation, and Sally Hutton brings private equity expertise. Jesse Watson, Bruce Dickinson, Colin Du Toit, and Warren Drue are also notable names in the practice.

Advising domestic and international clients across various sectors, including mining, retail, banking, telecoms, and insurance, the M&A team at Werksmans Attorneys stands out in the South African market. Team leader Paul Tindle has extensive experience in commercial law and structured finance, and he is ably supported by Kevin Trudgeon, who has broad-ranging commercial experience, including in private equity, governance, and flotations. Lureshan Naidoo is highly adept in corporate restructurings, David Gewer in leveraged and managed buyouts, and Clarissa Laltha in asset finance and preference share transactions. Also key are Bafana Ntuli, Obakhe Bukula, and Gabriel Koski.

The corporate team at DLA Piper is ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ and routinely advises on complex cross-border M&A transactions. Practice head Peter Bradshaw advises on public and private M&A, equity capital markets, and commercial law, with experience spanning the financial services, media, hospitality, food and beverage, and property sectors. Johannes Gouws has assisted with some of the foremost corporate transactions across the banking, insurance, agriculture, and retail industries, while Amy Eliason is skilled in equity capital markets, Marita van der Walt in corporate finance, Lorica Elferink  in listings and public offerings, and Brian Malcomess in private and public mergers.

The 'efficient and innovative' corporate team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is skilled in BEE transactions, demergers, restructurings, and M&A matters, with a notable focus on the African mining sector. Practice head Ziyanda Ntshona advises on all aspects of M&A transactions, including private equity and reorganisations. Ross Lomax focuses on renewable energy and represents both listed and unlisted corporates, while Patrick Leyden handles domestic and cross-border matters across mining and energy. Monde Coto brings further expertise in venture capital and equity capital markets transactions.

Recognised for being 'technically outstanding', the commercial, corporate, and M&A practice at White & Case LLP  advises on a wide range of transactions and benefits from close integration with the firm’s global network. Co-leader Gary Felthun brings extensive experience in private equity and cross-border deals, particularly in the mining sector. Fellow co-leader Tiaan De Wit focuses on IPOs, unbundlings, schemes of arrangement, and mergers. Sandile Mathebula is skilled in due diligence, with Brian Jennings and Nonhlakanipho Mchunu also as key contacts.

Recognised for its 'great seamless cross-border capabilities', Baker McKenzie Johannesburg advises on M&A, restructurings, governance, tax, and compliance matters across various sectors, including mining, digital infrastructure, energy, healthcare, retail, and telecoms. Lydia Shadrach-Razzino leads the team, and she is ably supported by Verushca Pillay, who focuses on commercial work and BEE. Ashlin Perumall specialises in technology and IP-related M&A transactions, while Tanya Seitz handles cross-border matters and Ryan Alho advises on energy and infrastructure. Carine Pick and Kaylea Sher-Fisher also bolster the team.

Jointly led by Yushanta Rungasammy and Kabelo Dlothi, CMS South Africa’s corporate and commercial team advises blue-chip clients on transactions across TMC, private equity, consumer products, and development finance. Rungasammy focuses on upstream and downstream deals, private equity matters, and BEE structuring, while Dlothi has extensive experience in both public and private M&A. Sihle Bulose advises across the financial services, real estate, and infrastructure sectors. Lebogang Molebale, Diann Bishunath, Yonela Diko, and Ayavuya Jack further strengthen the team.

The corporate and M&A team at Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc routinely advises financial institutions, funds, and shareholders on joint ventures, private M&A transactions, public takeovers, and disposals. Practice head Stephen Kennedy-Good leads major transactions, particularly complex cross-border M&A. The 'highly competent' Rudolph du Plessis has acted for multinationals across South Africa and the continent, and Willem de Villiers focuses on financing transactions and preference share funding, while Christina Pretorius handles commercial matters spanning the banking, mining, life sciences, and healthcare sectors.

Jointly led by the 'knowledgeable and pragmatic' Helgard Janse van Rensburg and IP expert Mercia Flynn, Adams & Adams’s corporate team advises companies, financial institutions, and private equity firms on M&A, joint ventures, restructurings, and governance matters. Flynn handles a wide range of IP transactions, including licensing and due diligence and Bradley Frolick focuses on real estate and compliance. Afia Donkor, Gerrie Kruger, and Pierre Jacobs are also key team members.

By combining deep local knowledge with international reach, Clyde & Co LLP frequently advises on M&A transactions, restructurings, listings, and disposals. Practice head Ernie Van Der Vyver focuses on corporate and regulatory matters in the financial services sector. Nicole Britton is a key contact for insurers and intermediaries, while Kate Swart focuses on environmental law. Raeesah Gani handles commercial contracts, and Bongubuhle Sibanda assists with matters in the energy, mining, and finance sectors.

Led by Shahid Sulaiman, Dentons’ corporate practice continues to leverage its global network to advise clients on M&A, project development, corporate finance, structuring, and governance. Sulaiman has represented multinational oil companies in sponsorship arrangements, supply contracts, restructurings, and joint ventures, among other matters. Sebastian Petersen is skilled in handling complex transactional work, particularly in navigating South Africa’s exchange control regulations.

The 'skilled' team at Eversheds Sutherland SA Inc has strong capabilities in M&A, commercial agreements, competition law, due diligence, and compliance. It is led by the trio Greg Shapiro, Tanya Waksman, and Tyrone Foruie; Shapiro boasts expertise in complex corporate transactions and matters emanating from the IT, mining, private equity, and property sectors, Waksman oversees daily operations within the corporate team, and Foruie has expertise in financial strategy. Kelly Nevin has experience in TMT and a wide array of commercial matters.

RAMS Attorneys represents private and public clients across South Africa in M&A transactions and demergers, takeovers, due diligence, private equity, joint ventures, restructurings, and spin-offs. Practice head Matodzi Ramashia has extensive experience in commercial law and entertainment law matters, as well as being adept in M&A. Ramashia has led many cross-border transactions across sectors such as fintech, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.