DLA Piper maintains its “Best Lawyers” ranking in 2026 South Africa edition

DLA Piper has maintained its standing in the 2026 edition of the “Best Lawyers” South Africa. The South Africa office has a total of 9 directors ranked in the publication. Jackie Pennington, Finance Partner was also recognised with the “Lawyer of the Year” 2026 award for her work in Banking and Finance law in South Africa.

Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Its methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

The South African lawyers that were recognised include:

1. Jackie Pennington – Banking and Finance law (ranked since 2014), and Litigation (ranked since 2025), also mentioned as Lawyer of the Year, Banking & Finance
2. Janine Simpson – Competition/Antitrust law (ranked since 2014)
3. Johannes Gouws – Corporate law and M&A law (ranked since 2011)
4. Kirsty Simpson – Litigation (ranked since 2022)
5. Lorica Elferink – Corporate law (ranked since 2024)
6. Nick Grootes – Banking and Finance Law (ranked since 2022), and Real Estate Law (ranked since 2023)
7. Peter Bradshaw – Capital Markets law, Corporate law and M&A law (ranked since 2024)
8. Tumisang Mongae – Construction law (ranked since 2024)
9. Werner Rysbergen - Competition/Antitrust law (ranked since 2024)