Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie has expanded its tax practice in Africa with the appointment, from 1 June 2017, of a market leading tax team headed by Stephan Spamer from ENSafrica.  Stephan will assume the role of Baker McKenzie South Africa tax practice group head, and will be joined by Arnaaz Camay (executive) and Howmera Parak (senior associate).

The team will bolster Baker McKenzie’s current South African tax team, comprising a number of experienced practitioners including two partners, one Of Counsel plus associates specialising in Transfer Pricing, tax advisory and mergers and acquisitions structuring.

They form part of Baker McKenzie’s global tax practice, which is one of the most highly-regarded tax practices in the world and is ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global. As part of this practice the newly strengthened tax team in South Africa will provide clients with an integrated service offering, supported by the Firm's global reach.

Morne van der Merwe, Co-managing Partner at Baker McKenzie's Johannesburg office, said, “The team’s experience in international and cross-border tax issues in Africa will will strengthen our existing capabilities and prove invaluable to our clients as they negotiate the myriad of tax laws and regulations affecting businesses operating in Africa.  In addition, Stephan’s clients will now have access to the expertise of more than 950 global tax practitioners, including lawyers, economists and advisors, in over 40 countries.”

These appointments are the latest in a string of strategic new partner appointments by Baker McKenzie’s Johannesburg office, to enhance its competitiveness as the leading international firm in Africa.  Recently, Marc Yudaken joined the Corporate/M&A Practice Group; Scott Nelson joined the Global Private Equity Practice Group, Karel Potgieter joined the Banking & Finance Practice Group, and Sonia de Vries and Adine Abro joined the Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Already recognised as the international law firm "most used for high-value work in Africa," according to Acritas, Baker McKenzie has an extensive practice covering the African continent with three offices in Cairo, Casablanca and Johannesburg. Baker McKenzie's Johannesburg office launched in May 2012 with 31 lawyers and staff and has since grown to more than 100 lawyers and staff.