Copyright : Re-publication of this article is authorised only in the following circumstances; the writer and Africa Legal are both recognised as the author and the website address www.africa-legal.com and original article link are back linked. Re-publication without both must be preauthorised by contacting editor@africa-legal.com
DLA Piper boosts its International Projects team as renewables expert Melusi Dlamini returns to South Africa
Global law firm DLA Piper has continued its growth in South Africa with the announcement this week that dual-qualified international finance expert Melusi Dlamini has joined the firm
The arrival this week of highly regarded project finance expert Melusi Dlamini as a partner based in DLA Piper’s Johannesburg office will enhance the global firm’s capabilities in South Africa and across the African continent, said Johannes Gouws, Country Managing Partner for DLA Piper South Africa, “With his experience and impressive client roster, he will be a key addition to our leading Projects practice.”
Melusi, who is dual qualified in South Africa alongside England and Wales, brings over 12 years' experience advising sponsors, lenders and institutional investors on renewable energy, BESS projects and large-scale infrastructure such as student accommodation, datacentres and the facilities and supply chain to support the roll out and use of sustainable aviation fuel. London-based for over a decade, he was recently ranked as a Next Generation Partner (Renewables) with The Legal 500.
“Melusi is a highly respected and knowledgeable lawyer with a broad and impressive practice,” said Colin Wilson, International Group Head of DLA Piper’s Finance practice. “His experience advising on complex and cross-border mandates for a variety of clients across the energy, infrastructure and technology sectors will bolster our International Projects bench, which supports some of the world's most notable developments.”
Melusi joins DLA Piper from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was a partner in the London office. Sharing the news yesterday of his shift to Johannesburg, the start of a new chapter, he said: “It’s an exciting move for me, both professionally and personally. I’ll be working with exceptional colleagues across the DLA Piper network, contributing to an international Projects practice that has been involved in some of the most interesting energy and infrastructure developments of recent years.”
Melusi is a non-contentious construction and project development partner, advising sponsors, lenders, and institutional investors on large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects. His work spans Europe, South-East Asia, Africa, the US, and the Middle East, driven by technologies like offshore wind.
His appointment follows several strategic hires to bolster DLA Piper's global Projects practice, including Sudhir Nair, Derwin Jenkinson and Nikhil Markanday in London and Noni Shannon in Sydney. Melusi’s arrival in Johannesburg also continues the global firm’s strong recent growth in South Africa.
It is the latest of several significant appointments made by DLA Piper South Africa over the past 18 months, including adding Lorica Elferink as a Director in Corporate, the internal promotion Callie Jo Bouman, Malachizodok Mpolokeng, and former in-house lawyer Dharshini Naidoo to senior associate in July, the arrival of corporate expert and senior associate Anastasia Nair, formerly of Baker McKenzie, and then in September Harvard-trained litigation expert Natalie Keetsi joining as a Director.
“I’m grateful for the warm welcome from colleagues across the firm and I’m looking forward to playing my part in building on the team's momentum,” said Melusi.