Bell Dewar’s merger with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, will make it one of the largest law firms in Africa
0Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Canadian-based law firm, merges with Johannesburg-based law firm, Bell Dewar, boosting its international profile and its existing presence in South Africa.
The merger will make the unified entity one of the largest law firms in Africa, and give Fasken the largest international footprint of any Canadian-based law firm.
“As we looked to expand our base and grow our Africa business, we considered a number of potential partners. Fasken Martineau was the obvious choice given the firm’s reach, expertise and global capabilities,” said Blaize Vance, Managing Partner of Bell Dewar.
“The addition of the Bell Dewar team of lawyers along with our existing teams in Johannesburg, London, Paris and Canada provides us with an unrivalled base of talent and experience to bring to the African and world markets,” said David Corbett, managing partner of Faskens.
“Over the coming months we will fully integrate the two firms. This will be completed by February 1, 2013. Upon completion of the merger, Blaize will become the Regional Managing Partner for Africa, based at our newly consolidated offices in Johannesburg,” added Mr. Corbett.
Bell Dewar, a firm with 76 lawyers, specializes in mining, infrastructure, energy, project finance, capital markets and M&A throughout Africa.
Fasken has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City, London, Paris and Johannesburg. It opened the South Africa office in 2003, and currently has five lawyers there.
