The Legal 500 has released its 2026 rankings for the EMEA region. The research process conducted annually in over 150 jurisdictions, provides a detailed qualitative assessment of various factors including work conducted by law firms over the past 12 months and historically; experience and depth of teams; specialisms and ancillary services; and opinions of law firms’ clients.

Werksmans has achieved a total of 29 rankings which includes, 12 firm rankings and 17 individual rankings.

Firm Rankings

• Banking & Finance – Tier 1
• Commercial, Corporate and M&A – Tier 1
• Dispute Resolution – Tier 1
• Competition – Tier 2
• Construction – Tier 4
• Employment – Tier 2
• Intellectual Property – Tier 3
• Investment Funds – Tier 3
• Mining – Tier 3
• Projects & Infrastructure – Tier 3
• Real Estate – Tier 3
• Tax – Tier 2

Individual Lawyer Rankings

Banking & Finance

• Richard Roothman (Hall of Fame)
• Jenni Darling (Leading Partner)

Commercial, Corporate and M&A

• Kevin Trudgeon (Leading Partner)
• Obakhe Bukula (Leading Associate)

Competition

• Paul Coetser (Hall of Fame)
• Nkonzo Hlatshwayo (Leading Partner)
• Lwazi Mtshilibe (Leading Associate)

Dispute Resolution

• David Hertz (Hall of Fame)
• Corlett Manaka (Leading Partner)
• Faith Sikhavhakhavha (Next Generation Partner)

Employment

• Nonkosazana Nkosi (Next Generation Partner)

Intellectual Property

• Janine Hollesen (Leading Partner)

Investment Funds

• Shayne Krige (Leading Partner)
• Hilah Laskov (Next Generation Partner)

Mining

• Chris Stevens (Hall of Fame)

Tax

• Ernest Mazansky (Hall of Fame)
• Doelie Lessing (Leading Partner)