Norton Rose's South African merger partner bulks up ahead of tie-up

Head of competition Glenn Stein and electronic communications chief Bradley Scop have both left Eversheds’ South African office to join Deneys Reitz as directors - the equivalent of partner - in Johannesburg. The pair will be joined at their new firm by associates Ross Forgan and Thabiso Kutumela.

Eversheds competition practice will now be headed by partner Ian Jacobsberg while partner Goitse Pilane will lead the electronic communications group.

Deneys Reitz’s Durban litigation practice has also been given a boost with the hire of Garlicke & Bousfield construction law head Gary Rademeyer along with associate David Wood.

In addition, Brian Wimpey has joined the firm to head its IP offering. Wimpey was previously at IP specialist DM Kisch, where he led the trademark offering. The finance team has been bolstered following the recruitment of Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs associate Zaida Kathrada.

The firm announced that it is expecting to make further lateral hires in the coming months as it leads up to its formal merger with Norton Rose on 1 June.

The City firm announced its South African tie-up last November, along with its merger with Canadian outfit Ogilvy Renault (22 November 2010). The enlarged Norton Rose group, which will operate on a Swiss Verein structure, is set to become a top 10 global firm by headcount, with revenues in excess of $1bn (£612m).