DLA Piper further energises M&A practice by adding Patrick Leyden as a partner in its Johannesburg office

The addition of African energy and mining sector specialist Patrick Leyden as a partner in the Johannesburg office “marks a significant milestone” in DLA Piper’s growing cross-border M&A team, says Jon Kenworthy, Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper's Corporate Group. “His sector knowledge and experience of advising clients on complex M&A transactions will further bolster our market-leading team.”

With almost 20 years' experience advising clients on the African continent, Patrick joins DLA Piper, from HSF Kramer, where he built a domestic, regional, and cross-border practice as a partner in the Projects, Energy, and Infrastructure group. 

He advises companies and investors in the natural resources and energy sectors on M&A transactions and related regulatory challenges. His experience includes domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, corporate restructurings, joint ventures, private equity, and black economic empowerment and indigenisation transactions. Patrick regularly advises JSE-listed mining companies on compliance, and has acted for multinational banks in relation to precious metals transactions.

"DLA Piper continues to make significant investments in South Africa, of which Patrick is just the latest,” says Johannes Gouws, the Country Managing Partner at DLA Piper South Africa. “Patrick not only brings significant knowledge and a highly successful practice but is also highly regarded in the industry. His experience in supporting clients through the energy transition will benefit several clients."

Earlier this year, DLA Piper South Africa welcomed large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects expert Melusi Dlamini as a partner in Johannesburg. 

Patrick’s arrival as a partner is the latest of several key appointments made by DLA Piper South Africa over the past year, including the internal promotion of Callie Jo Bouman, Malachizodok Mpolokeng, and former in-house lawyer Dharshini Naidoo to senior associate last July, the arrival of corporate expert and senior associate Annastasia Nair, formerly of Baker McKenzie, Harvard-trained litigation expert Natalie Keetsi joining as a Director in September, and Melusi Dlamini joining to begin 2026. 

"I’m pleased to be joining DLA Piper as a partner in the firm’s Johannesburg Corporate and M&A team," shared Patrick today. "I'll continue to advise on domestic, regional and cross‑border M&A transactions, with a particular focus on natural resources and energy. I’m looking forward to working within the firm's global platform and supporting clients on their most significant strategic transactions. Thank you to the team for the warm welcome."

Patrick’s appointment also follows a series of strategic hires to DLA Piper’s Corporate practice globally, including Chris Field and Markjan van Schaardenburgh in London, Sherlyn Lau and her team in Hong Kong, and Charles Ching in Washington DC, along with Melusi Dlamini joining the Johannesburg office from London practice.

When announcing Patrick’s arrival, DLA Piper noted that its M&A practice had been Mergermarket’s top-ranked legal adviser, globally, by deal volume for 16 years in a row. As reported earlier this year, in 2025, DLA Piper advised on more than 1,300 transactions with a disclosed aggregate deal value of approximately US$97 billion.

“This achievement reflects the trust our clients place in us and the dedication of our teams worldwide,” said Kenworthy in January. “With deep sector knowledge and the ability to execute complex, high-value deals wherever our clients do business, the firm remains committed to delivering exceptional results across borders and industries. In a market defined by heightened competition for high-quality assets, particularly in technology, life sciences, and energy transition, and as stabilizing valuations and abundant private capital continue to fuel activity, DLA Piper’s global platform ensures clients have the strategic support they need to succeed."

Now, Patrick Leyden will be adding his skills and expertise to that global platform.