Law firms are recalibrating their South African strategies in the wake of A&O Shearman and Hogan Lovells' shock exits, with both firms expected to depart by the end of 2024.

Bowmans has already hired 14 A&O Shearman lawyers—including eight partners who start work in early 2025—and added a Hogan Lovells M&A partner and associate to its team on Friday. Meanwhile, Wessel Badenhorst, Hogan Lovells' former managing partner, has launched his own firm and brought senior associate Samantha Joshua with him. Not all of the out-of-work lawyers are resettled though and the market is awash with top talent.