Leading law firm extends its African reach
Publish date: 04 February 2014
Issue Number: 563
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Africa Focus
Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group (BGAG) has announced its intention, subject to regulatory approval, to merge with John W Ffooks & Co (JWF) with effect from 1 March, increasing its number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa to seven.
JWF advises on Malagassy and OHADA law (the common commercial codes of 17 francophone African countries). The firm was founded, and continues to be led, by John Ffooks, and has built a strong reputation in providing due diligence and local law and regulatory support services to international law firms and corporates in francophone Africa. Jonathan Lang, Head of Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group, said the addition of JWF offers the capability of the group to provide coverage in francophone African countries and brings 15 bilingual English/French lawyers into the group. 'We already have a strong African presence and capability via 400 lawyers in offices in Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Kampala, Nairobi and Gaborone. In addition, our relationship firm in Nigeria, Udo Udoma & Bela-Osagie, has offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. This allows us to advise clients across Africa, whether on a single country or a multi-jurisdictional basis,' said Lang.
