ENSafrica

ENSafrica (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) is Africa's largest law firm.[4] ENSafrica currently has over 620 practitioners and was established over 100 years ago. The firm specialises in all commercial areas of Law, Tax, Forensics and IP. The firm is a Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor.[5] ENSafrica is one of the traditional "Big Five" law firms in South Africa.

ENSafrica (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs)
No. of offices15 (including two pro bono offices)[1]
No. of attorneysover 600 (2016)[2]
No. of employees1020+ (2014)[3]
Major practice areasLaw, Tax, Forensics and IP
Key peopleMichael Katz (Chairman), Mzi Mgudlwa (Chief executive)
Date founded1905
Company typeLegal
Websitewww.ensafrica.com

History

Edward Nathan & Friedland

Edward Nathan & Friedland was formed in 1905. In 1999, Edward Nathan & Friedland was bought by Nedbank for R400 million. After an exodus of clients and lawyers, as well as deeming the investment non-core, in 2004, Nedbank sold Edward Nathan & Friedland back to 47 directors for R50 million. [6] In addition to the purchase price, R33 million in available cash in Edward Nathan & Friedland was transferred to Nedbank. In total, Nedbank suffered a loss of R20 million on the sale.[7]

Sonnenberg Hoffmann & Galombik

Sonnenberg Hoffmann & Galombik was formed in 1936.

Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs

The firm was formed after a 2006 merger between Cape Town based law firm Sonnenberg Hoffmann Galombik (SHG) and the Johannesburg based law firm Edward Nathan & Friedland.

Divisions

Its specialist divisions include Africa regulatory and business intelligence, Asia-Africa trade (including China, India, and Japan), and structuring of investments through Mauritius.

Offices
ENS House Cape Town


In August 2012, ENSafrica became the first African headquartered law firm with integrated offices across different African jurisdictions, with the opening of offices in Rwanda and Burundi, which office was closed in 2015.[8]

This was shortly followed by another office opening in the Ugandan capital of Kampala in December 2012.[9] In December 2013, ENSafrica announced a merger with Mauritius’ largest and oldest firm, De Comarmond & Koenig.[10]

On 1 November 2014, the firm announced the opening of two offices in the Namibian capital and town of Windhoek and Swakopmund respectively, with a third Namibian office, in Walvis Bay, opening soon thereafter. This was done through a merger with local Namibian law firm Lorentz Angula.[11]

Former CEO, Piet Faber, is quoted (31 March 2014) as saying that ENSafrica will open offices in at least six other African jurisdictions over the next two years.[12]

On 1 May 2015, the firm announced the opening of its 13th office on the African continent, following a merger with local Tanzanian law firm, Rex Attorneys.[13]

In 2015, ENSafrica closed its Burundi office.[14]

The most recent office to be opened was formed through a merger with local Ghanaian firm Oxford & Beaumont Solicitors, and formally opened as ENSafrica Ghana on 1 December 2015. Oxford & Beaumont Solicitors was the first Ghanaian firm to open representative offices in London.[15]

The company has offices in several countries and cities:[1]

Controversies

Julius Malema

In 2010 and 2011, ENSafrica acted for Julius Malema in a court case brought against him by Afriforum in relation to his singing of the song “shoot the boer” (shoot the farmer / white person). The firm subsequently withdrew from the case, resulting in Malema accusing the firm of racism.[16][17][18] Ultimately, on 12 September 2011, Malema was convicted of hate speech.[19]

Tax Evasion

In a court action brought in the Western Cape High Court in 2018, the South African Revenue Service claimed that ENSafrica created a R3.5 billion tax evasion scheme involving Christo Wiese and Tullow Oil. In addition to pursuing Christo Wiese and Tullow Oil, the South African Revenue Service is also pursuing a former ENSafrica executive.[20][21][22]

References
  1. locations
  2. Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs. "ENSafrica - about us". ENSafrica.
  3. "Certified Top Employers 2014". Top Employers Institute. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014.
  4. http://www.bdlive.co.za/companies/2012/11/26/sas-biggest-law-firm-expands-footprint-in-africa – Retrieved on 19 February 2013
  5. "ENSafrica.com South Africa page". 21 February 2014.
  6. "Nedcor pays for ENF mistake". Fin24. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  7. http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20131029/282192238732920
  8. "ENS eyes pan-African domination with launches in Rwanda and Burundi". TheLawyer.com. 8 August 2012.
  9. "ENS expands its footprints into Africa". property24.com. 27 December 2012.
  10. "ENSafrica opens doors in Mauritius". Polity.org.za. 3 December 2013.
  11. "ENSafrica expands into Namibia with 11-partner merger". TheLawyer.com. 6 November 2014.
  12. "South Africa: Down and clout". TheLawyer.com. 31 March 2014.
  13. "ENSafrica grows into Tanzania". iflr1000.com. 5 May 2015.
  14. https://www.ensafrica.com/contact ENSafrica: locations
  15. "ENSafrica merges with Oxford & Beaumont to enter Ghana market". Legal Week. 1 December 2015.
  16. "The "struggle song" saga continues – News – Archival Platform".
  17. "Law firm director says Malema case has nothing to do with his departure". 14 February 2011.
  18. "Dumping Malema splits law firm".
  19. Laing, Aislinn (12 September 2011). "Julius Malema found guilty of hate speech for singing 'Shoot the Boer'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  20. http://amabhungane.co.za/article/2018-07-18-christo-wiese-tullow-oil-and-enss-tax-dodging-services
  21. "SA's top law firm reportedly sold Christo Wiese an alleged dubious deal – and Sars now wants millions back".
  22. "Christo Wiese implicated in tax avoidance scheme, amaBhungane reports". 19 July 2018.


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