DLA Piper expands Finance, Projects and Restructuring team in South Africa

DLA Piper today announces the appointment of Amelia Heeger as legal director in the firm’s Finance, Projects and Restructuring team in Johannesburg.

Amelia brings with her over 20 years’ experience advising on various finance related mandates, including leverage finance, preference share funding, proprietary investments, securitisation and infrastructure finance across various sectors, including consumer goods, food and retail, energy and natural resources, financial services and technology.

Her experience includes advising on various first to market transactions including the first mortgage backed securitisation, a multi-seller asset backed commercial paper conduit and a synthetic debt collateralistion transaction. Additionally, she has advised on some of South Africa’s largest black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions, the (re)financing of various projects under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) and the financing of numerous private equity transactions.

Jackie Pennington, Head of Finance, Projects and Restructuring, South Africa, said: "We are delighted to welcome Amelia to the team. Her impressive track record will strengthen the Finance, Projects and Restructuring team in Johannesburg and bring significant value to clients navigating issues in real time as part of our global team.

Amelia’s appointment follows the appointment of financial services regulatory lawyer Bridget King and insolvency and restructuring lawyer Nicola Nolan, both in 2021.