Allen & Overy (A&O) has been shortlisted in the flagship International Law Firm of the Year category at the forthcoming African Legal Awards on the day it reveals the launch of its first Sub-Saharan African office in Johannesburg.

The magic circle firm will battle it out with Baker & McKenzie, Eversheds, Norton Rose Fulbright and White & Case for the top prize while the other headline private practice category – African Law Firm of the Year – will see the South African trio of Bowman Gilfillan, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Linklaters' alliance partner Webber Wentzel square up to Kenya's Anjarwalla & Khanna and Hamilton Harrison & Mathews and Nigerian outfit Aluko & Oyebode.

The awards, which are in their second year, will take place at a glittering ceremony at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 31 October.

The cream of Africa's growing in-house legal community will also be heavily represented on the night with Anglo American, Aspen Pharmacare, First National Bank, GE Africa, Siemens and the regulatory affairs team at Sub-Saharan Africa broadcaster MultiChoice Africa shortlisted in Legal Department of the Year (large team) category.

The practice area awards feature teams from a wide range of African and international firms including Herbert Smith Freehills, Linklaters, Hogan Lovells, ENSAfrica and Werksmans.

Their submissions cite deals and cases from across the African continent covering well established sectors like energy, natural resources and infrastructure as well as practice areas that are growing in importance including M&A, regulation and competition.

The awards are hosted by Legal Week and the Corporate Lawyers Association of South Africa, with the judging panel made up of senior in-house lawyers and other legal figures.

They take place as many of world's leading international law firms jostle to gain market share in Africa against a background of sustained economic growth and inward investment.

A&O will be the first magic circle firm with an office in South Africa when it opens for business later this month with a seven-lawyer team including four partners from Bowman Gilfillan.

Last month, Clyde & Co opened offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town staffed by a team from Webber Wentzel.

Earlier this year, partners at Clifford Chance suggested that the firm was looking to open in South Africa within the next 12 months.

Click here to see the full shortlist

For all entry and table booking enquiries call Anthony Epega on +44 20 7316 9092    or email [email protected].

Related:

African Legal Awards 2013: who won what – and why.

African allure – the international firms eager to join forces with local outfits in sub-Saharan Africa

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