Chris Ewing

Summary Profile

Chris Ewing is the Chairman of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and a director in the Corporate and Commercial practice. He has practiced in corporate law for more than 30 years and is recognised as the firm's leading merger and acquisition specialist. He acts for domestic and international clients and is adept at leading cross-border projects, having handled a number of complex corporate restructurings and public listings, including on international bourses. He is recognised as an expert and leader in corporate law and corporate finance transactions and has extensive experience in acting for prominent publicly and privately held companies in merger and acquisition transactions, joint ventures and listings, and in establishing new businesses in South Africa. Chris specialises in mergers and acquisitions, transaction structuring and corporate finance and is an expert in corporate governance.

Career

Chris began his career in 1970 in the finance department at South African Breweries. In 1974 he joined Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) as a candidate attorney, then as an associate until 1978 when he moved to Credit Guarantee Corporation as their legal adviser. Chris returned to Cliffe Dekker in 1979 as a director. He was elected Chairman in September 2001, then as Chief Executive Officer of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in 2008 and Chairman in 2011.

Education

• BCom LLB, University of the Witwatersrand
• Year of admission as an attorney: 1976

Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Provinces
• Member of the Takeover Regulation Panel

Experience

• In over 30 years' experience in advising listed and unlisted companies, Chris has acted in a vast number and broad range of notable merger and acquisition transactions in South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and internationally - too many to list here as a representative sample.
• Chris has advised prominent listed South African companies such as Lonmin plc, Standard Bank of South Africa , Nedbank , Rand Merchant Bank , Business Connexion , SA Airlink , Naspers , Bidvest , Investec Bank , Independent Newspapers , Net1 Applied Technologies , Omnia Holdings and Steinhoff.
• Among a number of influential international entities, Chris has represented The Coca Cola Corporation, Verizon, GTECH Corporation and Clear Channel.

Market Recognition

• Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business rates Chris Ewing in the top tier, Band 1, within Corporate/M&A. Chambers' comments are quoted:
  • 2010 - "Chris Ewing has been rated highly for many years thanks to his restructuring and private equity track record."
  • 2009 - "Chris Ewing is singled out (by clients) as 'a pragmatic and highly effective lawyer' who is 'great to have on your side - especially on difficult negotiations'."
  • 2008 - "Chris Ewing has an excellent reputation in the market. According to sources, he is very hands-on and gives sound, strategic advice."
  • 2007 - Spectacularly spectacular Chris Ewing charms clients and peers with his experience in the way he 'always works with clients' best interests in mind'. His approach is 'practical and completely commercial', and he is also noted for being an effective team leader."
  • 2006 - "Firm chairman Chris Ewing is highly valued as 'a voice of reason to have around during tough M&A negotiations'."
• Legal 500 EMEA 2005 - 2011 ranks Chris in Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions.
• Who's Who Legal - International Who's Who of Merger & Acquisition Lawyers 2007 - 2011 and International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2007 - 2011 selects Chris as being among the world's leading M&A lawyers.
• IFLR1000: Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2009 - 2011 ranks Chris as a leading lawyer in Corporate/M&A. Chris "receives glowing feedback from clients."
• Practical Law Company (PLC) Which Lawyer? 2007 - 2010 highly recommends Chris in Corporate/M&A, Private Equity/Venture Capital and Corporate Governance.
• Best Lawyers International 2008 - 2010 lists Chris in Corporate, M&A and Private Equity. Chris is named Lawyer of the Year 2011 for Mergers & Acquisitions.
• Expert Guides:
  • Guide to the World's Leading Lawyers 2006 - 2010 ranks Chris as a pre-eminent practitioner in its Guide to the World's Leading Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers.
  • Guide to the World's Leading Private Equity Lawyers 2007 - 2010 names Chris as a leading practitioner.
  • Guide to the World Leading Emerging Markets Practitioners 2010 names Chris as a leading Mergers and Acquisitions lawyer.