Africa's oldest firm looks to future as Nayna Cara and Margo-Ann Werner join Fairbridges as Directors

The arrival this week of new Directors Nayna Cara and Margo-Ann Werner reflects Fairbridges Wertheim Becker Attorneys' commitment to building a law firm equipped for the opportunities, challenges, and growth shaping Africa's future, and continual investment in expertise that's material to the sustainable growth of clients' businesses, says the firm. 

Tracing its roots back to John Merrington establishing a legal and notary practice in Cape Town in 1812, Fairbridges is Africa's oldest law firm. Throughout its long and rich history, it has adapted to changing environments, and embraced innovation in seeking solutions for our clients. With the arrival of Cara and Werner, who were both most recently Directors in the Johannesburg office of Pinsent Masons, Fairbridges has made an important investment in its commercial property, energy, and infrastructure capability, and its regulatory offering.

"I’m very excited about this new chapter and even more so as Margo-Ann Werner and I will continue to work together," says Cara, who becomes a Director in Fairbridges’ Commercial Law team in Johannesburg, advising on commercial and land arrangements for energy and infrastructure projects from bid submission through financial close and implementation.

A graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, Cara completed her articles with Webber Wentzel in the mid 2000s. A qualified conveyancer and notary, her practice now spans renewable energy, battery storage, gas-to-power, oil and gas, mining-linked infrastructure and independent power producer procurement. Over her career, she has acted for developers, sponsors, lenders, investors, and contractors across multiple procurement rounds, as well as on privately developed energy projects.

"Nayna is known for integrating seamlessly into multidisciplinary project teams, and helping clients navigate the path from project conception to implementation with clarity, confidence and practical solutions," said Fairbridges as it announced Cara was joining their historic African firm. "She is equally recognised for her collaborative approach, strong client relationships and commitment to mentoring and developing those around her."

Fellow Wits graduate Werner began her legal career in the Johannesburg office of international law firm Fasken, and also worked alongside Cara later at both Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Pinsent Masons. "Margo-Ann is a highly regarded environmental and climate change lawyer whose practice spans energy, infrastructure, mining and other major industries," noted Fairbridges when welcoming her to its Johannesburg office as a Director. 

"Her appointment brings a valuable new dimension to Fairbridges offering. Margo-Ann combines deep technical knowledge with an ability to provide clear, commercially grounded advice helping clients navigate evolving environmental and climate-related obligations while maintaining a clear focus on business objectives and project execution."

Africa's oldest law firm may have more than two centuries of service in the rear-view mirror, but the appointments of Cara and Werner show its focus is firmly on the future.