Among the awards, which celebrate excellence in the African legal industry, one category in particular, Specialist Firm of the Year, is highly sought after by firms specialising in a variety of niche areas. Lopes Attorneys Inc., a boutique law firm in South Africa, walked away with the prize for Specialist Law Firm of the Year at the 2022 African Legal Awards. The firm specialises in environmental law, civil litigation, regulatory and compliance, and corporate/commercial law. They have also become one of the leading firms dealing with animal welfare, an area very few firms have experience in.

Rui Lopes, Managing Director of Lopes Attorneys Inc., attributes their success to the novel and leading litigation currently being undertaken in relation to the trophy hunting of threatened and protected species within South Africa. One of the firm’s big successes was interdicting the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment from implementing the 2022 quota for the hunting and export of trophies from leopard, elephant and black rhino from South Africa. In this instance the firm was acting on behalf of the Humane Society International – Africa.

Taking home a category win at the 20222 African Legal Awards had a significant impact on Lopes Attorneys Inc.’s credibility in the industry, said Lopes. “The award boosted our company’s reputation and highlighted our achievements; we are now recognised by more people. As a boutique firm it has shown to everyone that we have ‘arrived’,” he commented. “It has proven to everyone that at Lopes Attorneys we are innovative and hard working. The award makes the firm stand out for excellence among numerous other suppliers and agencies in the same sector.”

Winning an African Legal Award has also had a broader impact on Lopes Attorneys Inc.’s growth and success. Lopes noted that the award attracted new clients and connections, created positive opinions about the company, and motivated current clients to bring more matters to them. This led to more growth within the firm and increased their industry credibility by establishing Lopes Attorneys as an expert in their field.

“For a new entrant into the legal market, both locally and internationally, what we have managed to accomplish in this very short time is a phenomenal achievement, for which we are extremely proud,” Lopes said. 

Deadline for submissions for the 2023 African Legal Awards is 5 May 2023, with the winners being announced at the awards ceremony on 1 September 2023 in Johannesburg. Click here to apply.  

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