Hogan Lovells merges with South Africa's Routledge Modise

Routledge Modise became a formal ally of Eversheds in April 2008 but split from the Johannesburg-based practice in October last year due to issues over client conflicts.

The South African firm elected to change its name to Eversheds in July 2009. However, a long-running legal battle ensued, with The Law Society of the Northern Provinces claiming that the name change was in contravention of its own rules, as well as section 23 of the Attorneys Act.

Following its split with Eversheds, Routledge returned to trading under its former name, although a South African court subsequently ruled in February last year that Routledge had not broken local law by changing its name to Eversheds.

Commenting on its merger with Hogan Lovells, Lavery Modise, chairman of Routledge Modise said: "Both firms have proven track records, and this is a merger of expertise and knowledge to ensure that we continue to offer our clients the very best legal services. We have found that we share the same values and approach as Hogan Lovells – providing creative legal and business solutions for our clients with the highest professional standards."

It is not yet known what name the South African firm will operate under after the merger goes live. With no presence on the ground, Hogan Lovells' Africa practice is largely run out of its Paris office as well as working with local law firms in the region.

According to the firm's website, Routledge Modise has more than 120 legal professionals among its 300 employees.

This article was originally published in unquote's sister title Legal Week.

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• People
• Advisory
• Hogan Lovells