Brigette Baillie, Ezra Davids & Ashwin Mudhoo singled out among law firm honours at Chambers Africa Awards 2026

It was a huge, unexpected honour to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Chambers Africa Awards 2026, says South African project finance lawyer Brigette Baillie, a partner and Head of Energy, Africa in the Johannesburg office of leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSFK).

The Lifetime Achievement award is presented to an individual lawyer in recognition of their many achievements over a long and impressive career, says Chambers. 

Regarded as the “doyenne of project finance” in Africa, Baillie has consistently been ranked as a Star Individual for Projects and Energy and South Africa for well over a decade, and “continues to be highly active on a range of energy, mining, infrastructure and construction matters located in a variety of African countries”. 

“I want to say I feel a bit like Mike Myers in Wayne’s World - I am not worthy, I am not worthy,” shared Baillie, in a social media video today. “I want to thank all my clients, who have been phenomenal, and with whom I’ve loved working over the years. Thank you for appointing me to work on your amazing transactions. I’ve loved every minute. Looking back, some of them have been among the highlights of my life.”

Baillie also thanked all those who’d supported her during her career, including John Bellew who mentored her during her many years at Webber Wentzel, Martin Kavanagh who recruited her to HSFK, all her amazing partners at HSFK, “the amazing young people” who’ve worked with her during her career, going on to become partners and senior people at other organisations, and her HSFK team. 

This special recognition at the 2026 Chambers Africa Awards celebrates Baillie’s many years at the top of the legal profession in South Africa along with her remarkable list of achievements throughout a truly distinguished career, says Jean Meijer, Co-Head of Africa Group and Managing Partner, Johannesburg at HSFK. 

“It is a testament to her exceptional expertise, her dedication to her clients, and the lasting impact she has made on the legal landscape in Africa,” shared Meijer today. “It is a privilege to work alongside Brigette, and all of us at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer are delighted to see her receive this well-deserved honour!”

The Chambers Africa Awards celebrate top law firms’ pre-eminence across key African jurisdictions, recognising outstanding achievements over the past year, including exceptional legal expertise and casework, remarkable strategic growth and expansion, and superior client service delivery. Yesterday, around thirty awards were presented for national, regional, and Africa-wide Firms of the Year. 

Two other individual lawyers were singled out with honours: Ashwin Mudhoo of CMS Prism Chambers in Mauritius scooped Up-and-Coming Lawyer of the Year, while Ezra Davids of Bowmans received the Outstanding Contribution Award. 

The Up-and-Coming Lawyer of the Year Award is presented annually to a next-generation lawyer who has stood out in the course of Chambers Africa research. “Ashwin Mudhoo is an increasingly prominent figure in the Mauritian market,” said Chambers. “He heads the transactional team at CMS Prism, where client referees applaud his responsiveness as well as the manner in which ‘he understands and dissects complex legal issues’. His broad practice sees him provide counsel on acquisitions, corporate structuring and fund formation.”

The other finalists this year were James Wairoto of MW and Company Advocates LLP in Kenya, Nahla Djabi of Matouk Bassiouny in Algeria, Jamal Fofana of Asafo & Co in Cote d’Ivoire, Bafana Ntuli of Werksmans Attorneys in South Africa, and Ekundayo Onajobi of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie in Nigeria. 

“I am honoured and incredibly grateful to have been recognised,” shared Mudhoo today. “I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me throughout this journey, including mentors, colleagues, clients, friends, and family. Your trust and belief in me have meant a great deal.”

Leading tax lawyer Johanne Hague, the founder and Managing Director of CMS Prism, shared her delight and pride for Mudhoo receiving this honour, noting that his “commercial acumen and transactional knowledge are exceptional”. 

Bowmans’ Chair Ezra Davids was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award, which recognises an individual lawyer who has made an indelible impression on their market or area of practice. “Davids [has] a long history of involvement in South Africa’s most high-profile M&A deals and his ranking as a Star Individual is universally supported by market sources, making him a worthy recipient of this year’s award,” said Chambers.

For a full list of this year's Chambers Africa Award winners, visit here.