Global law firm Hogan Lovells and leading South African law firm Routledge Modise have announced the approval of their respective partnerships to combine their firms.
The combination will take effect from 1 December 2013 with Routledge Modise expected to rebrand and relaunch as Hogan Lovells in early 2014.
The Johannesburg office will comprise 120 lawyers, including 40 partners, and will focus on corporate, commercial, litigation, mining and employment work.
Their principal practice areas include corporate and commercial, litigation and dispute resolution, energy, mining and employment. Their client base ranges from South African government departments and state-owned enterprises, to domestic organisations and subsidiaries of international corporates.
Hogan Lovells already has an active and successful Africa practice which currently has over 40 lawyers globally. Major client matters in the past year include advising African Export-Import Bank on the US$2 billion financing for Kenya Airways Limited of 10 Embraer E-190 aircraft, nine Boeing 787 aircraft and one Boeing 777 aircraft.
A physical presence in Africa has become increasingly important for us as a leading global law firm. The majority of Hogan Lovells’ top 200 clients have operations on the continent and South Africa is regarded as the gateway into sub-Saharan Africa more generally, with many companies basing their regional headquarters there, particularly in Johannesburg.
Commenting on the news David Harris, global co-CEO of Hogan Lovells, said:
“Africa is an extremely important market for our clients and to us as a firm. A significant number of our clients have an interest or a presence on the continent and with Africa’s substantial natural resources, expanding economies and growing consumer base, the level of interest will continue to increase rapidly.
“We already have a very active and successful Africa practice which currently has over 40 lawyers based in the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. This combination will significantly expand our Africa capabilities and will be beneficial to a large number of our key clients.
“Routledge Modise is an excellent fit with Hogan Lovells – they are recognised for having high quality partners, a cohesive partnership ethos, ambition, and an international outlook, and we look forward to our future together as one firm worldwide.”
Chairman of Routledge Modise, Lavery Modise, said:
“Both firms have proven track records. This is a merger of expertise and knowledge to ensure we continue to offer our clients the very best legal services.”
