Webber Wentzel

With approximately 800 staff members and more than half of them lawyers, Webber Wentzel is among South Africa's leading law firms. These astute professionals are adept at tackling even the most complex issues that cross their desks. They operate out of offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the country's two largest cities, to better serve those with interests in South Africa and beyond. The firm also has an alliance with global firm Linklaters, greater enhancing its international capabilities.

Several highly skilled teams work at Webber Wentzel, each helping to garner acclaim as a profoundly successful full-service law firm. They demonstrate expertise in all areas of dispute resolution, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, tax, and project finance, assisting clients with issues both in South Africa and across its borders. Its mining and energy practice is the largest on the continent. More than 40 professionals participate in this group and are regularly sought after for their vast experience, strategic and innovative approach, and in-depth industry knowledge.

Bruce Dickinson is based in Johannesburg and is the sector group head of mining, specializing in mergers and acquisitions as related to the industry. He additionally advises on tax issues, corporate, structured and project finance, and cross-border transactions. Notably, he was involved in the country's first black empowerment mining project finance transaction, which, to date, is the largest of its kind. Outside of South Africa, he is greatly familiar with other jurisdictions when issues of precious and base metals, dimension stone, heavy minerals, and industrial minerals arise. Admitted as an attorney in South Africa and a solicitor in England and Wales, Dickinson is frequently called upon as a speaker at various conferences, has published a number of articles on his subject areas of expertise, and is, accordingly, acknowledged in several important journals internationally.

Also based in Johannesburg, Peter Leon is a partner in the mining and energy resources practice as a part of the firm's commercial business unit. He is well-known for his work with mineral and petroleum regulation in developing countries, black economic empowerment and indigenisation law, international investment law, and financial services regulation. His practice often takes him to other African countries. Another of Webber Wentzel's wildly lauded attorneys, his presence is often requested at mining conferences, courses, and Parliamentary hearings, and he is an honorary lecturer at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Leon is also a member of the National Council of the South African Institute of Race Relations (since 1991), the Mongolian Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism's International Advisory Board (since 2012), and the Council of the International Bar Association's Legal Practice Division (since 2013).