Norton Rose Fulbright is splitting from its South African business, with the firm’s offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to become independent from April next year.
The move, which the firm described as a ‘carefully structured transition,’ comes 15 years after Norton Rose entered the South African market via a merger with national firm Deneys Reitz.
Announcing the move, global co-managing partner Peter Scott said that NRF would support the South African team throughout the transition and that they would ‘continue to collaborate where clients’ interests align’.
‘This change represents a natural evolution for both firms as the dynamics of international markets and client needs progress worldwide,’ he said. ‘We thank our South African colleagues for their contributions to our shared success.’
Deneys Reitz joined the Norton Rose Group verein in June 2011, rebranding as Norton Rose South Africa. The deal came amid a sustained period of international expansion for NRF, including similar tie-ups with Canada’s Ogilvy Renault and Australia’s Deacons.
The Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban offices are now home to more than 120 lawyers, according to the firm’s website. The firm has nine Legal 500 rankings in South Africa, including tier 2 spots in banking and finance, dispute resolution, employment, projects and infrastructure, and shipping and transport.
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa chief executive officer Brent Botha – a Deneys Reitz lifer who has been CEO for the past two years – added: ‘We look forward to building on our 100-year legacy in South Africa and across Africa, and to investing, innovating, and evolving in line with the needs of our clients and people. We are proud of our heritage within Norton Rose Fulbright and look forward to working with the firm and other global partners, wherever our clients operate.’
The moves reflect a broader strategic shift in the upper echelons of the global legal market, with some firms that went through major geographical expansion in the 2000s and 2010s pulling back from less profitable markets in the face of pressure on costs.
NRF’s move comes after A&O Shearman announced plans to close in Johannesburg in September 2024, with all of the lawyers from the office subsequently moving to leading African firm Bowmans.
Hogan Lovells also closed its South Africa office the same month, alongside exits from Warsaw and Sydney.
