Former Werksmans attorneys join Dewey & LeBoeuf in Johannesburg

Led by Morné van der Merwe and Wildu du Plessis, the team of eight boasts substantial experience in areas such as banking, finance, private equity and securitisation law within sectors including mining, infrastructure and energy.

Van der Merwe, who previously headed the mining and resources team at Werksmans, is now co-chair of Dewey’s global natural resources practice. He specialises in mining industry transactions and advises clients on a range of corporate matters including securities law, black economic empowerment transactions and corporate finance.

Du Plessis previously headed the banking and finance and capital markets practices at Werksmans. He is now co-managing partner of the Johannesburg office of Dewey & LeBoeuf advising clients on a broad range of financing transactions and regulatory matters. His previous cases include representing communications company Telkom SA Limited in relation to its IPO listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange: the first such simultaneous listing of a South African company.

Steven Davis, chairman of Dewey & LeBoeuf, commented, “The addition of this team of high quality, respected lawyers places us at the head of the market and presents exciting opportunities to grow our practice in Africa. We also look forward to developing and nurturing a good relationship with the many top notch clients that the new team brings with them.”

Commenting on the move, van der Merwe added, “We’re very excited to be joining the firm. We look forward to working alongside the existing members of Dewey & LeBoeuf’s strong global natural resources practice and building on the firm’s reputation for excellence.”

“The combination with our own experience and contacts promises to create great opportunities for growth and high quality new mandates,” adds du Plessis.

Van der Merwe is listed in The International Who’s Who of Mining Lawyers and Du Plessis is listed in The International Who’s Who of Banking Lawyers and The International Who’s Who of Capital Markets Lawyers.