Webber Wentzel wins at the African Legal Awards 2018

Webber Wentzel won three of the main awards at the prestigious African Legal Awards hosted in Johannesburg on 7 September, 2018.

Webber Wentzel was named Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team of the Year, with alliance partner, Linklaters. The firm also secured the CSR, Diversity, Transformation and Economic Empowerment Award.

In addition, Moray Hathorn, a partner at Webber Wentzel and head of the firm's pro bono practice, was named Attorney of the Year (partner). Moray founded Webber Wentzel's dedicated pro bono practice in 2003 which focuses on:

• upholding the Constitution and the rule of law;
• the protection of human rights, including anti-discrimination in relation to gender, race, LGBTQ and HIV status;  and
• socio-economic rights including land reform and housing.

Moray has acted in a number of key cases upholding the rule of law and the socio-economic rights of marginalised individuals/communities. Webber Wentzel's pro bono practice has over many years provided free legal services to poor and/or vulnerable members of the public.

Webber Wentzel  was also “highly commended"Wentzel was the following categories: African Law Firm of the Year - Large Practice, IP Team of the Year, TMT Team of the Year and Best Use of Technology. Megan Adderley, an associate in the public law practice, was "highly commended" in the Attorney of the Year (associate/assistant solicitor) category.

Hosted by Legal Week (organisers of The British Legal Awards) and the Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa, the African Legal Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the legal profession on the continent. The winners were decided by an independent adjudicating panel made up of general counsel and other senior members of the legal community.