Bowman Gilfillan

Bowman Gilfillan, known as Bowmans, is an African law firm that helps clients manage legal complexity and find opportunities across the continent. The firm works with clients as a partner, combining legal expertise with local market knowledge and practical understanding of business needs.

Bowmans employs over 650 specialist lawyers. The firm operates from nine offices in six African countries. Its offices are in Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Lusaka, Johannesburg, Moka, Nairobi, Swakopmund, and Windhoek. This wide presence allows the firm to offer legal support across many jurisdictions.

The firm provides legal services in many practice areas. These include corporate and commercial law, finance, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration, tax, employment and benefits, data protection, intellectual property, and regulatory services. Bowmans also advises on competition law, project finance, restructuring, private equity, debt capital markets, equity capital markets, and environmental and climate change matters.

Bowmans works with clients across many industries. The firm lists aviation as one of its sectors, along with construction, energy, financial institutions, infrastructure, insurance, mining, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, ports rail and logistics, consumer goods, education, hotels and leisure, industrials, and technology media and telecommunications.

The firm handles legal matters throughout Africa. It advises on corporate transactions, financing deals, regulatory compliance, and corporate investigations. Bowmans also provides counsel on government contracting, public procurement, international trade, shipping logistics and commodities, and local content requirements. Its lawyers deliver practical advice that supports client business goals.

Bowmans supports sustainability and pro bono work. The firm emphasizes diversity within its team. Its lawyers share knowledge through publications, speaking engagements, and media updates on legal developments across Africa.

Services

• Corporate and Commercial
• Finance
• Dispute Resolution
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Tax
• Employment and Benefits
• Regulatory Services
• Intellectual Property
• Litigation and Arbitration
• Data Protection