Energy, exceptional commitment, and solutions-driven: Cox Yeats promotes Buys, adds Pickford

Newly promoted Senior Associate Savannah Buys exemplifies the professionalism, dedication and collaborative spirit that are central to the culture of Cox Yeats and reflects the firm’s commitment to recognising and developing legal talent, says Andrew Clark, Managing Partner of the Durban-headquartered law firm.

Cox Yeats publicly announced the promotion this month, along with the arrival of Claire Pickford as an Associate in its Corporate and Commercial practice in Durban; two moves showcasing and bolstering the firm's ability to provide commercially focused legal advice to businesses operating across South Africa and beyond.

A rising talent in the energy, infrastructure, and projects space, Buys is a Stellenbosch University graduate who began her legal career as a Candidate Attorney at Cox Yeats in 2021. Now part of the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources practice in Cape Town, she says she is passionate about sustainable development, working to help deliver impactful projects that support Africa’s energy transition, and enjoys being part of a team that helps turn complex projects into practical realities.

Clark says that Buys’ promotion to Senior Associate is richly deserved.

"Since joining Cox Yeats, she has embraced every opportunity to learn, develop and contribute to the success of our clients and our firm,” he adds. “We look forward to supporting her continued growth and leadership within the firm."

Her commercial law practice has evolved over her years with Cox Yeats to focus increasingly on complex energy and projects matters, including advising independent power producers and mining companies on project structuring and commercial contracting. Savannah’s promotion to Senior Associate recognises her technical ability, growing influence within the Energy and Natural Resources practice and her continued commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to clients.

"Savannah has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to her clients, an impressive understanding of the commercial realities facing businesses, and the ability to navigate increasingly complex transactions,” says partner Laura Kelly, Head of Energy and Natural Resources at Cox Yeats. “She has become a trusted adviser within our Energy and Natural Resources practice, and this promotion recognises both her achievements to date and her considerable potential for the future. We are proud to see her reach this important career milestone."

While the promotion to Senior Associate is a proud milestone, it represents much more than a title, says Buys, reflecting the “growth, trust, and responsibility” she’s developed over the past few years with Cox Yeats.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given, the colleagues who have invested in my development and have placed their trust in me. I look forward to continuing to grow my practice and contributing to the ongoing success of the firm."

Meanwhile, Jason Goodison, a partner in the Corporate and Commercial Law team, says Claire Pickford's arrival reflects the firm's commitment to attracting talented lawyers who combine technical capability with a strong understanding of business realities. "Claire brings valuable experience across a wide range of commercial and dispute-related matters, together with a pragmatic and solutions-driven approach that aligns closely with how we advise our clients. She is an excellent addition to our team, and we are delighted to welcome her to Cox Yeats."

A University of Pretoria graduate who spent the first few years of her career with pioneering firm Weavind & Weavind Attorneys, which has been operating in Pretoria for more than 120 years, Pickford joined Cox Yeats in Durban as an associate last month, bringing expertise in commercial litigation, dispute resolution, banking and finance, and insolvency matters.

Cox Yeats says she “brings a well-rounded perspective to her commercial practice”, with her litigation background enabling her to “identify potential areas of risk at an early stage and advise clients on contractual and commercial arrangements that minimise exposure to future disputes”.

Pickford is particularly passionate about helping businesses find practical solutions to complex challenges, and is interested in both Corporate and Commercial Law and Engineering and Construction Law. "I was drawn to Cox Yeats because of its strong reputation and the opportunity to work in the commercial sector,” she says. “I am excited to take on new challenges, learn from the talented people around me and continue developing my expertise. My goal is to become someone who is trusted for both my judgement and the quality of my work, while helping clients navigate complex legal and commercial challenges with confidence."