Big news for Deneys Reitz
1 June 2011

Author Rob Otty

Including its pan-African division, Africa Legal, announced that it has joined international heavyweight Norton Rose Group on June 1,2011. This follows the successful merger with Norton Rose Australia almost a year ago, and coincides with Canadian law firm Ogilvy Renault joining the Norton Rose Group, also on June 1 this year.

Norton Rose Group now has a resource of 39 offices and more than 2 500 lawyers worldwide, making the legal practice one of the top 10 largest global practices by number of lawyers.

Deneys Reitz MD Rob Otty, who joins Norton Rose Group's Executive Committee said: “This was a major strategic step for Deneys Reitz which was already operating in three South African cities and had a large footprint across the continent. The African legal playing field has been dramatically altered because the legal market is global and, in our view, firms that do not embrace this reality limit their future growth because their clients are going global. This is truly great for us, but even more so for our clients.”

“We can now offer a seamless service on an international level. Our strategy has for some time been focused on becoming the premier African law firm. The decision to partner with Norton Rose Group was largely based on their reputation for excellence and the fact that we share a similar culture. There are strong business and client synergies, particularly between Africa and Europe, the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East.”

"This was a major strategic step for Deneys Reitz which was already operating in three South African cities and had a large footprint across the African continent”.

Michael Hart, ex-Chairman and now head of Norton Rose South Africa's litigation department, commented, “As part of Norton Rose Group, we expect to be at the forefront of developing Africa's business ties with the rest of the world and in particular with Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. The combination of our years of experience in Africa and Norton Rose Group's increasing involvement in African business will, we believe, provide the Group with a springboard to become the premier legal practice in Africa.”

According to Peter Martyr, Group Chief Executive of Norton Rose Group, “These additions constitute a significant step towards realising the group's ambition of becoming one of the world's leading providers of legal services, with offices in the world's principal business and financial centres.”

“Our global reach enables the group to service the needs of major corporations that seek acquisitions and do deals all around the world.”

Discussing the move of the Durban offices to La Lucia Ridge in November 2009, Jonathan Caldow, Senior Director of the Durban office, says that the move was essential to serve clients in the region. “The intention is for our new location to be more convenient for our clients. Since moving to the Ridge our practice has grown by 40 lawyers. This growth will enable the group to expand the range of services we are able to offer our clients in KZN.”