IFLR1000 has ranked four of Bowmans Africa-wide practice groups as top tier, 21 leading lawyers and six rising stars in the 2017 IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide.

Bowmans Kenya and Uganda are both ranked tier 1 in the Financial & Corporate practice area and Bowmans South Africa is ranked tier 1 in the Capital Markets, Competition and M&A categories.

According to the publication, “Corporate M&A is one of the firm’s strongest suits, and this year the team has been involved in some blockbuster transactions including the proposed acquisition of SABMiller by beverage company AB InBev.”

Further, clients are quoted as saying that the team “displays professionalism and good judgement when dealing in negotiations with relevant parties" and that Bowmans "has exceptional skills and depth, has integrity and provides a very valuable service to financial institutions.”

Bowmans chairman, Rob Legh, says, “Top tier rankings across our African offices offer proof that we are delivering a seamless, world-class service to our clients across the continent. Our people have expert legal knowledge plus real on-the-ground experience.”

Established in 1990, the IFLR1000 is a guide to the world’s leading financial law firms focusing exclusively on corporate finance and transactional law. Rankings and editorial commentary are based on independent research conducted by teams of journalists covering more than 120 jurisdictions worldwide. Law firms are ranked according to transactional evidence and peer and client feedback.

The news follows closely on the announcement of the new Bowmans brand as well as three African Legal Awards wins. Bowmans received awards for Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team of the Year, Employment Team of the Year, and Property Team of the Year at the African Legal Awards ceremony in September 2016.