13 December 20224 minute read

DLA Piper South Africa lawyers recognised in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers

DLA Piper is pleased to announce that seven of its South African lawyers have been recognised in their respective fields in the 14th edition of Best Lawyers, 2023. The publication recognises the professional excellence of lawyers based on feedback provided by their peers operating in the same practice areas and geography.

The 2023 edition marks a milestone for Johannes Gouws and Janine Simpson, who both have been recognised by the publication in the past 10 editions. Other noteworthy recognitions include Livia Dyer and Bridget King, both of whom have shown great consistency in achieving recognition from their peers over the past five editions.

The lawyers recognised are:

 

Livia Dyer - Director

Media Law and Regulatory Practice

Livia has been recognised by the publication since 2017, and brings more than 17 years’ experience in South Africa’s most highly regulated sectors, with a focus on telecommunications, media and technology where she provides both regulatory and transactional advice. Her practice also has a strong focus on advising clients on broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) matters. Click here to read more on Livia’s experience.

 

Johannes Gouws – Country Managing Partner

Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Johannes has been recognised by the publication since 2011 and has vast experience in cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, corporate finance, corporate law and the resolution of financial institutions. In recent years he has acted in many of the largest corporate transactions in South Africa, across a range of sectors, including, banking and financial services, insurance, agriculture and FMCG. More information on Johannes’ experience is available here.

 

Bridget King – Legal Director

Banking and Finance Law

Bridget has been recognised by the publication since 2019 and has more than 15 years’ experience in advising on derivatives, repos and securities lending, banking and financial services and markets regulation, exchange control and FinTech law. To learn more about Bridget’s work, click here.

 

Waseeqah Makadam – Director

Construction Law

Waseeqah, a director in the Litigation, Arbitration and Regulatory team, received her first recognition from the publication in 2022 and has extensive experience in judicial review litigation, as well as High Court litigation on public law issues (administrative law and regulatory issues). She also regularly advises on shareholder disputes and commercial contractual disputes across the FMCG, natural resources, construction, energy and banking sectors. Click here to learn more about Waseeqah’s work.

 

Janine Simpson – Director

Competition / Antitrust Law

Janine has been recognised by the publication since 2014 and has more than 15 years' specialised competition law experience. She advises local and international clients on all aspects of competition law. This includes merger control, cartel and other prohibited practice investigations and dawn raids, exemption applications and competition law compliance and training. More detail on Janine’s work is available here.

 

Kirsty Simpson – Location Head: Litigation & Regulatory

Litigation

Kirsty received her first recognition from the publication in 2022 and has vast experience in all aspects of commercial litigation and alternate dispute resolution (including expert determination, mediation and both domestic and international arbitration). Kirsty provides practical advice and strategic insight into litigious or potentially litigious matters, with a view to effectively manage and resolve, or avoid disputes. More detail about Kirsty’s experience is available here.

 

André Visser – Director

Corporate Law

André received his first recognition from the publication in 2022 and has over 24 years of post-qualification experience. He advises local and international clients on mergers and acquisitions, inbound and outbound cross-border investment, corporate establishments and restructurings. André also advises on general commercial matters including information technology law, exchange control, supply and franchise agreements, BEE compliance and IP commercialisation. His experience spans a range of sectors including technology, agriculture, consumer goods, financial services and real estate. Additional background from André’s bio is available here.

 

Johannes Gouws noted, “It is humbling to have the respect of one’s peers, especially considering the calibre of our colleagues who have nominated us. The consistency shown by the team through their repeated nomination highlights the depth and quality of the legal services DLA Piper offers local and international clients in South Africa and beyond. The team has made us very proud and I look forward to performing even better in the editions to come.”