Linklaters and South African firm Webber Wentzel have ended their alliance after more than 13 years of collaboration.
The two firms will end the alliance by November 2026, after coming to what the firms described as a mutual decision.
The alliance – which was agreed in 2012 and went live in February 2013 – gave Linklaters a foothold in two key South African markets, via Webber Wentzel’s offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
However, the firms will continue to work together on a more informal basis. In a statement, Linklaters said their relationship would return to how it operated prior to the formation of the exclusive alliance in 2013. The two firms have a history of working together which dates back over 60 years.
Linklaters senior partner and chair Aedamar Comiskey said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone at Webber Wentzel for their partnership, which we have deeply valued over many years. Our commitment to supporting our clients in Africa remains as strong as ever. We’ll continue to serve them as we always have, drawing on our long-standing relationships in the region and the strength of our global team.’
Webber Wentzel senior partner Gareth Driver added: “Our relationship with Linklaters spans more than half a century, and we hold the firm and its people in the highest regard. This marks the next chapter for Webber Wentzel as a proudly African firm with deep South African roots and a track record of advising on the continent’s most significant matters. We look forward to continued growth alongside our clients across the continent.”
Linklaters also has a similar alliance with Australian firm Allens, but the firm has confirmed that that will continue, and that the arrangement is unaffected by the Webber Wentzel news.
The firm also confirmed that ongoing client matters are not affected by the decision, and it plans to continue building on client relationships across Africa.
The decision comes as a number of international firms have pulled out of the South African market in recent years, including Norton Rose Fulbright last November.
NRF’s offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban spun off independently this March, operating under the Deneys brand name, reviving the name of legacy South African firm Deneys Reitz, which joined Norton Rose’s verein structure in 2011.
A&O Shearman and legacy Hogan Lovells also decided to close South African offices in 2024 following strategic reviews.
Partners in the South African market have told Legal Business that it can be difficult for international brands to establish a strong local presence when competing against well-established national firms.
The news comes after Linklaters released its 2025-26 financial results last week, posting 6.8% revenue growth, while profit per equity partner increased 11.4% to £2.48m.
