Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has hired corporate partner Lisa Botha in Johannesburg as it builds out its cross border Transactional Services team. Working with clients across the energy, infrastructure and financial services, Lisa is a South Africa and England and Wales dual qualified lawyer who has developed a practice advising clients across a broad range of corporate matters. Having previously worked for Hogan Lovells and Allen & Overy, Lisa advises on domestic South African and cross border M&A, equity capital markets, private equity, restructuring and lending matters. 

Johannesburg Office Head at Pinsent Masons, Junaid Banoobhai, said: “Lisa’s expertise will be a valuable asset to our firm as we seek to embed our domestic and cross border capabilities in South Africa. Throughout her career she has developed a practice across Africa as well as the Middle East and has supported numerous global businesses on a broad range of corporate matters vital for advancing their multinational strategic goals.”

Lisa has advised on a number of high profile matters throughout her career including acting for Société Générale in the sale of its African custody, trustee and derivatives clearing business and acting for the International Finance Corporation in its acquisition of a stake in WIOCC Holding Co Ltd, Mauritius.

Lisa joins the firm following the hire of corporate energy and infrastructure partner Jannie de Villiers who joined the firm’s Johannesburg office in November last year. The firm’s South African office launched in 2016 with two founding partners growing to 49 lawyers including nine partners.

Commenting on her move Lisa said: “I’m looking forward to joining Pinsent Masons and engaging with its broad, sector-led and multinational client base as the firm strengthens its capabilities across Africa.”