Baker & McKenzie has bulked up its new Johannesburg base with the takeover of three-partner disputes practice Rudolph Bernstein & Associates (RB&A).

RB&A founders Gerhard Rudolph and Darryl Bernstein have joined Bakers along with Kate Daniels, with all three becoming partners at the international firm.

The trio are joined at Bakers by the entire RB&A team, which comprises one consultant and five trainees – with seven more set to join next month – as well as seven members of support staff.

RB&A, which was established in 2008, specialises in contentious international and domestic arbitration and litigation matters in the energy, mining, construction, infrastructure and banking sectors. Both Rudolph and Bernstein are highly rated by Chambers and Partners for South Africa disputes work.

The hires come after Bakers launched in Johannesburg in May this year with the acquisition of now-defunct firm Dewey & LeBoeuf's local team. Prior to the RB&A takeover, the office was staffed by eight partners, two of counsel and five associates.

Office co-managing partner Wildu du Plessis said: "We have ambitious strategic growth plans in South Africa and are excited to be delivering so soon on one of our key targets, which was to add disputes capabilities to complement our established offering in M&A, banking & finance, projects and capital markets."

Rudolph added: "It's an exciting time to become part of the growing internationalisation of the South African legal market."

Since launching in Johannesburg, Bakers has acted on a number of deals in the region, including advising the sponsors and lenders on 13 renewables projects as part of the South African Government's plans to add power capacity and reduce reliance on coal.

The team is set to move offices in early 2013 to allow for the expansion, and prepare for further growth next year.

The news comes after Linklaters and Webber Wentzel yesterday (3 December) announced their formal alliance, the first such move between a South African firm and a magic circle player.