Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa has made a powerful strategic move by welcoming the highly respected litigator, Widaad Ebrahim-Fakier, to its ranks. Brent Botha, Director and CEO of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, expressed his enthusiasm for this high-profile appointment, stating, “We are thrilled that Widaad has chosen to join our firm. Her stellar reputation as a litigator and her extensive experience in complex disputes make her an invaluable asset to our team. This move is a key part of our ongoing strategy to expand our corporate, banking, and litigation practice groups.”
An experienced disputes lawyer, Widaad joins the firm as a director in the corporate and commercial litigation team, marking a significant addition to the firm's already robust legal roster. “This was the right opportunity at the right time,” she commented. Moving now from A&O Shearman (Allen & Overy prior to its recent merger with Shearman and Sterling) where she spent almost seven years as counsel/ director in the litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution practice, Widaad says this change is a strategic move that aligns with both her personal career aspirations and the evolving landscape of the legal industry.
Having predominantly worked in international firms, Widaad is eager to leverage Norton Rose Fulbright's global reach and strong presence in the South African market to further establish her own brand locally. "The firm’s commitment to excellence, its collaborative culture, and its forward-thinking approach to legal services resonate with my core professional values and objectives," she shared.
Widaad has extensive expertise in banking, finance and administrative law litigation, commercial disputes and regulatory compliance matters, and routinely advises on banking and financial services regulation, insolvency, anti-money laundering and information law. This includes the realm of data protection, privacy and cybersecurity issues, and regulatory compliance, where she is acknowledged as a thought leader.
In her new role with Norton Rose Fulbright, Widaad will focus on banking and finance litigation, integrating her commercial and administrative law skills to assist in addressing a diverse array of legal challenges and risks. "My goal is to build on Norton Rose Fulbright’s existing strengths while exploring new avenues for growth that align with current market trends and our clients’ evolving needs," she explained. "This will require a strategic balance of organic growth and the enhancement of our already exceptional commercial and banking litigation practice."
As a mother to a one-year-old, Widaad will have plenty to keep her busy at work and at home, but she feels sure that she’s moving into an environment that is “warm and welcoming”. This is largely a result of Brent’s intentional #TeamRed initiative which he fashioned to ensure everyone at the firm is pulling in the same direction and understands that working for Norton Rose Fulbright is about “more than just the job”. “I want employees to come for the culture, not just the pay cheque,” he added.
Widaad already feels a strong synergy with Norton Rose Fulbright. “The current market conditions present unique opportunities for growth and innovation. Additionally, the firm’s investment in talent development, diversity, and sustainability aligns with my personal commitment to these important issues,” she concluded.
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