Webber Wentzel Crowned African Law Firm Of The Year At Prestigious 2025 African Legal Awards

African Law Firm of the Year – Webber Wentzel

Hosted by Law.com International in partnership with the Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa (CCASA), this year's event was MC'd by comedy giant Jason Goliath.

Top achievers

Webber Wentzel reclaimed the top title of African Law Firm of the Year, having last taken the category in 2022. The firm also won African Law Firm of the Year for Southern Africa, as well as the Innovation Award for the second year running.

"These achievements are a direct result of the exceptional dedication of our people, the trust of our clients and the professional standing of our partners," said Gareth Driver, senior partner at Webber Wentzel. "We are honoured to be recognised as a leader in Africa’s legal market and remain committed to driving innovation and excellence across the continent."

Global law firm DLA Piper was the most decorated group of the evening with a total of four wins: International Law Firm of the Year; CSR, Diversity, Transformation and Economic Empowerment Award; African Law Firm of the Year for East Africa - awarded to DLA Piper Africa; and Private Equity Team of the Year - awarded to IKM Advocates (DLA Piper Africa).

East to West

The Africa Legal Network (ALN) was named African Network / Alliance of the Year, with its Kenyan branch, Anjarwalla & Khanna, taking two further awards: M&A Team of the Year (large-sized firm) and Rosa Nduati-Mutero being named Partner of the Year (East Africa).

Nigerian law firms Odujinrin & Adefulu and the Olaniwun Ajayi group both had an outstanding year with three wins each.

Odujinrin & Adefulu took home the awards for Banking & Finance Team of the Year (medium-sized firm), Capital Markets Team of the Year, as well as an individual award for Dr. Adeoye Adefulu, who was named Partner of the Year (West Africa).

Olaniwun Ajayi LP was named African Law Firm of the Year for West Africa, while Olaniwun Ajayi won Competition and Regulatory Team of the Year, and Juanita Derex-Briggs from the same firm was named Private Practice Most Promising Newcomer.

South African strong

Back in South Africa, Werksmans Attorneys took home the titles of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year (large-sized firm) and TMT Team of the Year.

Also winning two categories was LnP Beyond Legal, which was named Specialist Law Firm of the Year, as well as Transportation and Infrastructure Team of the Year.

Having taken seven awards in 2024, Bowmans was clearly up against some tough competition this year. However, they were not to go home empty-handed as the firm's role in the $800m Northern Cluster Wind Energy Project earned them the title of Property and Construction Team of the Year Award.

"Our involvement in this project exemplifies the firm’s expertise in construction law, particularly in the mitigation of construction-related delay risks and the preservation of credit enhancements such as performance security," said Alessandra Pardini, Bowmans' head of Projects, Energy and Infrastructure.

More winning women

A collection of remarkable women were awarded during the course of the evening, with Lauren Plein of Absa Bank being named Women Leaders in Law - In-House, and Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo of CLG winning Women Leaders in Law - Private Practice.

Founding director of her own firm, Zaakira Haffejee, was named the 2025 Private Practice Rising Star, while Baker McKenzie's Michelle Porter-Wright was awarded Partner of the Year for Southern Africa.

"I am incredibly honoured to receive this recognition," said Porter-Wright. "This award is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our entire team at Baker McKenzie, who consistently deliver outstanding results for our clients across the African market and beyond."

In-house awards

In the In-house category, the National Bank of Egypt won Legal Department of the Year - Large Team for a second year running, while also scooping Legal Department of the Year - Banking & Finance.

This year featured a new In-house Awards category: Senior In-House Legal Counsel of the Year, won by Lena Militisi from Africa50, which also took home Legal Department of the Year - Small Team.

The full list of winners for the 2025 African Legal Awards:

In-House Awards

Private Practice Awards

* A large firm is classified by being top 25 in the Africa Top 50 or in the Global 100

Awards open to both Private Practice & In-House