Webber Wentzel
{{Short description|South African law firm}}
{{use South African English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox Law Firm
| firm_name = Webber Wentzel
| firm_logo = 210px
| headquarters = Johannesburg, South Africa[http://www.leadingmanagers.co.za/profiles/SALM10_WebberWentzel.pdf Webber Wentzel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601045724/http://www.leadingmanagers.co.za/profiles/SALM10_WebberWentzel.pdf |date=1 June 2011 }}. Leading Managers. Retrieved 31 December 2010
| practice_areas = General practice
| key_people = Christo Els (Senior Partner)
Sally Hutton (Managing Partner)[http://www.whoswholegal.com/profiles/32084/0/Lancaster/david-lancaster/ David Lancaster]. Who's Who Legal, Retrieved 18 June 2010
| revenue = Unknown
| date_founded = 1868 (Fort Beaufort)[http://www.sabar.co.za/law-journals/2007/august/2007-august-vol020-no2-p46.pdf "The Firm: a Biography of Webber Wentzel Bowens"] Retrieved 31 December 2010 2010
| founder = Edward Solomon, Henry Charles Hull, Walter Webber, Henry Bowen and Charles Augustus Wentzel{{Cite web |url=http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/timeline |title=Webber Wentzel | Timeline History 1868 – 2008 : Law Firms in South Africa : Webber Wentzel Attorneys – Main |access-date=18 June 2010 |archive-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718074154/http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/timeline |url-status=dead }}
| homepage = [http://www.webberwentzel.com/ www.webberwentzel.com]
}}
Webber Wentzel is an African law firm headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The firm operates in a collaborative alliance with global law firm, Linklaters.[http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-in-the-news?oid=38298&sn=Detail-2011&pid=32438 Webber Wentzel in alliance with Linklaters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204100201/http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-in-the-news?oid=38298&sn=Detail-2011&pid=32438 |date=4 February 2013 }}. Webber Wentzel. Retrieved 25 December 2012
The firm is considered a member of the "Big Five law firms" of leading South African law firms.
The firm is a level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor.{{Cite web|title=About Webber Wentzel|url=https://www.webberwentzel.com/About-us/Pages/default.aspx|access-date=2020-06-29|website=webberwentzel.com}}
History
Webber Wentzel was founded in 1869 and is the only large South African law firm to retain a traditional partnership organisation and not incorporate into a limited liability company.
In 1869, Bruce Wayne starts a law practice in Eastern Cape. In 1904, Edward Solomon goes into partnership with Henry Charles Hull, Walter Webber, Charles Wentzel and Webber Wentzel. In 1918, Webber & Wentzel amalgamates with Hudson & Frames to become Webber Wentzel Solomon & Friel. In 1972, Webber Wentzel Hofmeyr Turnbull and Co merges with Dumat Pitts & Blaine. In 1967, The Maitland Group, a fund administrator and fiduciary services specialist with over £140 billion of assets under administration in April 2015, was founded in Luxembourg in 1976 by former Webber Wentzel partner Eric Pfaff as the Luxembourg presence for Webber Wentzel.{{Cite web |url=http://www.financialmail.co.za/fmfox/2015/04/23/maitland-growing |title=MAITLAND: Growing |website=financialmail.co.za |language=en |access-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013039/http://www.financialmail.co.za/fmfox/2015/04/23/maitland-growing |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |first=Marc |last=Hasenfuss |date=2015-04-23}} In 1994, Webber Wentzel merges with Bowen, Sessel & Goudvis to become Webber Wentzel Bowens. In 2008, Webber Wentzel Bowens merges with Cape Town firm, Mallinicks, to become Webber Wentzel, and the Maitland Group and Webber Wentzel ended over 31 years of formal ties.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fanews.co.za/article/people-and-companies/12/news/1163/maitland-partners-retire-from-webber-wentzel-bowens/3639|title=Maitland partners retire from Webber Wentzel Bowens|website=fanews.co.za|access-date=2017-08-31}} In 2012, Webber Wentzel affiliated with ALN.[http://www.africalegalnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ALN-WW-Press-Release-Aug-2011.doc Press release August 2011] africalegalnetwork.com {{dead link|date=December 2023}} On 1 February 2013, Webber Wentzel entered into a collaborative alliance with global law firm, Linklaters.[http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-in-the-news?oid=38298&sn=Detail-2011&pid=32438 Webber Wentzel in alliance with Linklaters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204100201/http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-in-the-news?oid=38298&sn=Detail-2011&pid=32438 |date=4 February 2013 }} Retrieved 25 December 2012
Offices
Selected awards and accolades
Notable deals
- Transaction between The Coca-Cola Company, SABMiller Plc and GFI to create the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa{{Cite web|url=https://www.coca-cola.com/xe/en|title=Home | Coca-Cola|website=www.coca-cola.com}}
- Lead African legal adviser in the largest transaction ever to be done in Africa, AB InBev's take-over of SABMiller{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.ab-inbev.com/content/abinbev/en/home.html|website=ab-inbev.com|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- Old Mutual{{Cite web|title=Old Mutual: Investments, Insurance, Loans and Unit Trusts. Celebrating 175 years of doing great things|url=https://www.oldmutual.co.za/about/175-birthday/|website=Old Mutual: Investments, Insurance, Loans and Unit Trusts|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}} plc on its Managed Separation – African homecoming (listings on the Johannesburg, London, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe Stock Exchanges)
- Wal-Mart's acquisition of Massmart{{Cite web|title=History – Massmart|url=https://www.massmart.co.za/about-massmart/history/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-20}} – entry into Africa
- Mercer Africa's (Marsh & McLennan) acquisition of Alexander Forbes{{Cite web|title=Mercer to acquire 34% stake in Alexander Forbes|url=https://www.uk.mercer.com/newsroom/mercer-acquire-stake-south-africa-alexander-forbes.html|website=uk.mercer.com|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- Oceana Group's acquisition of Daybrook Fisheries in the USA{{Cite web|url=http://oceana.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Oceana_Daybrook_Presentation_19-05.pdf|title=Acquisition of Daybrook Fisheries|accessdate=22 December 2023}}
- Gold Fields' 50:50 incorporated joint venture with Asanko Gold Inc.{{Cite web|title=Media {{!}} Media {{!}} Gold Fields|url=https://www.goldfields.com/news-article.php?articleID=6262|website=goldfields.com|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- Structuring of the African entities of General Electric{{Cite web|title=GE.com Africa|url=https://www.ge.com/africa/|website=ge.com|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- Tokio Marine Holdings' acquisition of Hollard{{Cite web|title=Press Releases, News & Articles {{!}} Hollard|url=https://www.hollard.co.za/media-centre/press-releases/japans-tokio-marine-group-to-acquire-stake-in-the-hollard-insurance-group|website=hollard.co.za|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}} enabling it to acquire precious foothold in full-scale African expansion
- Pioneer Foods Group Ltd in respect of the firm intention offer by PepsiCo{{Cite web|url=https://www.pioneerfoods.co.za/wp-content/uploads/FIA.pdf|title=THE FIRM INTENTION OF A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF PEPSICO TO MAKE AN OFFER TO ACQUIRE THE ORDINARY SHARES IN PIONEER FOODS|accessdate=22 December 2023}} Inc. to acquire the ordinary shares by way of a scheme of arrangement or standby offer valued at ZAR 25 billion
- USD 2,1 billion combination of the majority of Barclays' African operations with Absa Group – the largest cross-border African M&A transaction in 2013{{Cite web|url=https://home.barclays/content/dam/home-barclays/documents/investor-relations/IRNewsPresentations/2012News/06-Dec-Strategic-combination-of-Barclays-African-Operations-with-Absa-SENS.pdf|title=COMBINATION OF BARCLAYS AFRICAN OPERATIONS WITH ABSA GROUP LIMITED|accessdate=22 December 2023}}
- Actis-backed Emerging Markets Knowledge Holdings' acquisitions relating to its tertiary education buy-and-build platform{{Cite web|title=EMKH {{!}} Investments {{!}} Actis|url=http://www.act.is/about-actis/our-portfolio/emkh/|website=act.is|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- The Carlyle Group (via its Sub-Saharan Africa Fund{{Cite web|title=Carlyle Sub-Saharan Africa Fund (CSSAF) {{!}} The Carlyle Group|url=https://www.carlyle.com/fund/carlyle-sub-saharan-africa-fund-cssaf|website=carlyle.com|access-date=2020-05-20}}) on various M&A transactions and fund structuring
- American Tower Corporation's acquisition of up to 723 of Telkom Kenya's transmission towers{{Cite web|title=Telkom Kenya Limited and American Tower Corporation announce Tower Transaction {{!}} Telkom Kenya Limited|url=https://telkom.co.ke/telkom-kenya-limited-and-american-tower-corporation-announce-tower-transaction|website=telkom.co.ke|access-date=2020-05-20}} – ATC's first entry into the Kenyan market, its fifth market in Africa
- Anglo American's restructuring of its shareholding in Anglo American Platinum and its interests in De Beers (combined deal value of ZAR 87 billion)
- Vodafone Group in respect of the disposal of its indirect 34,94% interest in Safaricom to Vodacom Group for ZAR 35 billion
- Woolworths on its takeover of Australian retailer, David Jones, valued at AUD 2,14 billion, and its acquisition of Country Road{{Cite web|title=WOOLWORTHS SOUTH AFRICA TO ACQUIRE DAVID JONES TO CREATE A LEADING SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE RETAILER – Woolworths Holdings Limited|url=https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/woolworths-south-africa-to-acquire-david-jones-to-create-a-leading-southern-hemisphere-retailer/|website=woolworthsholdings.co.za|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- Anglo American on the sale of the New Largo thermal coal project in South Africa to New Largo Coal{{Cite web|title=Anglo American completes sale of New Largo thermal coal project in South Africa|url=https://www.angloamerican.com/media/press-releases/2018/01-08-2018|website=angloamerican.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}}
- Sibanye Stillwater in respect of its US$500 million streaming transaction with Wheaton Precious Metals International{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://www.sibanyestillwater.com/about-us/history/|website=Sibanye-Stillwater|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-20}}
Notable cases
- In 1957 the firm advised Consolidated Diamond Mines of South-West Africa (CDM) in the Great South-West Diamond Case. CDM had been given exclusive rights to mine for diamonds in a diamond-rich area by the administrator of South West Africa, who subsequently conferred the right to Suidwes-Afrika Prospekteers. CDM successfully sued South West Africa to protect their sole right to mine.
- In 1973 the firm successfully completed the case of Venkatrathnan and Another vs Officer Commanding Robben Island. In the case the court decided that prisoners were in principle entitled to study for tertiary degrees.
- In 2004 the firm successfully challenged South African pharmaceutical price capping legislation in the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa in terms of which pharmacists, when dispensing prescription medicine, could charge a fixed fee limited to 26% and capped at R26.00.{{Cite news|url=http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=561&fArticleId=2616894|title=Business Report {{!}} IOL {{!}} Breaking News {{!}} South Africa News {{!}} World News {{!}} Sport {{!}} Business {{!}} Entertainment {{!}} IOL.co.za|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en}}
Notable alumni
Notable alumni of the firm include:
- Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group{{Cite web|title=Leadership|url=https://www.debeersgroup.com/the-group/leadership|website=debeersgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}
- Charles Augustus Wentzel, former Chief Magistrate of the Witwatersrand
- Henry Charles Hull, former board member of Anglo American Corporation and the first Minister of Finance (South Africa){{cite web |title=Parktown Heritage Plaques|url=http://www.parktownheritage.co.za/plaques.htm |access-date=31 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307034533/http://www.parktownheritage.co.za/plaques.htm |archive-date=7 March 2010 }}
- Sir Edward Philip Solomon, former South African Senator and Minister of Public Works (South Africa)[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1914/11/22/104638201.pdf Sir ED.P. Solomon Dead]. The New York Times. Retrieved 31 December 2010
- Walter Webber, former Member of Parliament for the Labour Party in Troyeville, founder and champion of the Bantu Men's Social Centre and the Joint Council of Europeans and Natives.
- Ed Southey, President of the Law Society of the Transvaal (1985 and 1986) President of Association of Law Societies of Republic of South Africa (1991){{cite web|url=http://www.worldservicesgroup.com/members-alpha.asp?action=pro&n1=32875 |title=Ed Southey, Webber Wentzel |publisher=Worldservicesgroup.com }}
- Stanley Sessel, former president of the Council of the Association of Law Societies
- Brett Kebble, mining magnate[https://books.google.com/books?id=el9ytj7aT0YC&dq=brett+kebble+mallinicks&pg=PT27 "Brett Kebble: the inside story"] Barry Sergeant, Retrieved 18 June 2010
- Sheila Camerer, South African ambassador to Bulgaria{{cite web|url=http://www.saembassybulgaria.com/h.-e.-ms.-sheila-m.-camerer/ambassadors/h.-e.-ms.-sheila-m.-camerer.html |title=Saembassybulgaria.com |publisher=Saembassybulgaria.com }}
- Nicky Newton-King, chief executive officer of the JSE Limited.
- Eric Pfaff, founder of the Maitland Group.
Further reading
- {{Cite book
| last = Nicol
| first = Mike
| title = The Firm: A Biography of Webber Wentzel Bowens
| publisher = Random House
| isbn = 0-9584468-7-3
| location = South Africa
| date = 2006
}}
- {{Cite book
| last = Lancaster
| first = David
| title = The Webber Wentzel Art Collection Celebrating 140 Years 1868–2008
| isbn = 978-0-620-41318-3
| location = South Africa
| date = 2008
}}
- {{Cite book
| last = Nicol
| first = Mike
| title = Making History, Shaping the Future: Webber Wentzel 1868–2018
| isbn = 978-1-77609-291-8
| location = South Africa
| date = 2018
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.webberwentzel.com Webber Wentzel official site]
- {{OpenCorp|Webber Wentzel}}
- [http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/3753-34953 Chambers and Partners Firm Profile]
{{Law firms of South Africa}}
{{Witwatersrand companies}}
Category:1868 establishments in South Africa
Category:Law firms established in 1868