Pinsent Masons obtains corporate investigations specialist from ENSafrica in Johannesburg

Pinsent Masons obtains corporate investigations specialist from ENSafrica in Johannesburg

Appointment just after loss of South Africa transactional practice head to Hogan Lovells in November

Forensic investigation and corporate crime partner, Edward James has joined UK's top 20 firm Pinsent Masons in Johannesburg, thereby boosting its presence in and around South Africa.

James, previously worked at ENSafrica for five years, headquartered at South Africa, as the director of the forensics department, joins Pinsent Masons.

James, an investigations lawyer by profession is specialised in managing corporate investigations and compliance, besides handling fraud, corruption, bribery, anti money laundering and corporate espionage, economic sanctions and cyber breaches. Pinsent Masons comments that James is ready to work with its global infrastructure and energy sectors, hoping to improve the firm's forensics and criminal investigations in Africa.

An experienced individual, James covers multiple jurisdictions across sub Saharan Africa like Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria and Angola.

The global head of risk advisory department at Pinsent Masons, Laura Cameron said, "Africa is recently becoming a rich market, attracting investors, especially those who are looking forward to fund low carbon energy and infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, there are risks which continue to exist in that region which call for effective management".

According to Cameron, James possessed, "the ideal set of skills" which are necessary in handling clients in managing risks in forensic and compliance investigations, both in and around the continent of South Africa.

In 2017, Pinsent Masons first established its branches in South Africa with an infrastructure and construction oriented team. Since then, it has expanded its base in Johannesburg to hire six senior associates and 10 partners based on the firm's website. The firm's wider practice in Africa comprises of 50 partners and more than 150 lawyers, who are operating across South Africa, the UK, France, the Middle East and China.

James' was appointed just after a few months, the firm lost its South Africa transactional practice head Chris Green to Hogan Lovells. It's a move that marked the latter firm's first partner-level adjacent appointment consequently its high-profile fragmented with local ally Routledge Modise and following office relaunch in 2019.

Hogan Lovells has appointed Olivier Fille-Lambie and Arun Velusami as co-leaders of its global Africa practice in December, a move that indicated the former's dedication and concern to the region. As a team, they are about to take charge from Andrew skipper, an incompetent leader, who steps down to the role of practice chair.

Allen & Overy and White & Case too revamped their firms in Africa, to make sure they can attract opportunities for legal work in areas related to energy, infrastructure and natural resources.