Celebrating 100 years

In 1917, an intrepid young lawyer, Nathan Werksman, founded what was to become an iconic law firm, guided by principles and values that have stood the test of time and today represent who we are; recognised experts in corporate and commercial law. From one decade to the next, the firm grew steadily in size and reputation, providing services to increasing numbers of clients and attracting and developing top-ranked legal minds.

These corporate and commercial lawyers had more than just a passion for law – they had a passion for client service. A century later, we can look back with a great sense of pride and accomplishment at the values and traditions inherited from Nathan Werksman's vision, as we continue to build a legacy firm that will remain a beacon of excellence long into the future.

One determined young man may have founded the firm in 1917, but we are much more than a century old. A firm like ours, made up of versatile multi-specialists, brings in combined legal expertise that goes well beyond the 100-year mark. This is what success looks like in corporate and commercial law – astute minds, the best of legal advice, ground-breaking solutions and personalised attention that assures the client they are in the best possible hands. With 100 years already behind us, we know our firm will stand the test of time as it continues to raise the bar in corporate and commercial law. As the years go on, Werksmans will only excel more, remaining an unwavering testament to the vision of one forward-thinking young lawyer.

Werksmans heritage timeline

1917

• Nathan Werksman started the practice under the name N. Werksman.

21 April 1917

• Nathan Werksman turned 21 and officially opened the practice at Melahske's Building on the corner of Market and Harrison Streets, Johannesburg.

1930's

• The start of significant partnerships. The firm grew considerably in size and reputation and began providing services to a number of clients.

1940's

• By the end of the 1940s, the firm had moved into new premises at Loveday House, a building at the corner of Loveday and Marshall Streets and the name (after some amends in-between) was changed to N Werksman and Partners.

1950's

• The firm continued to grow and moved to offices on the corner of Commissioner and Sauer Streets.

Right from inception, Nathan Werksman set the tone for cementing the reputation of the firm as a leading commercial law practice whose honest, direct and focused approach was always designed to serve the best interests of the clients in the most efficient way. This legacy has continued throughout the years, and is still in existence today.

1960's / early 1970's

• A number of small mergers and partners additions broadened the scope and expertise of the firm with the name eventually changing to N Werksman, Hyman, Barnett and Partners.

1976

• The firm was renamed Werksmans Attorneys.

This set a trend in South African legal circles as it was the first to do away with all the partners' names.

1977

• More growth led to Werksmans moving to the Sanlam Centre, further eastwards, closer to the courts, though still very much in the Central Business District.

1985

• Werksmans moved to the premises in Parktown and became the first large law firm to leave the city centre.

15 December 1987

• A sad day for Werksmans when Nathan "Natie" Werksmans died at the age of 91 but his legacy remains.

1993

• Werksmans became a founding member of LEX Africa which to this day, is still the largest African legal alliance.

27 April 1994

• The first democratic elections in South Africa. The principles that were to become a central feature of the new dispensation – fairness, the redress of disadvantage, and opening of doors that had previously been so firmly shut in so many faces – would be needed in the makeup not only of the country, but of the firm as well.

2002

• Werksmans moved into its own home, the building the firm had designed to its own specifications, at 155 – 5th Street, Sandton.

2006

• After finding each other on opposing sides of a legal matter, discussions were initiated with Black Empowerment firm, Nalane Manaka and in 2006, the firms officially merged under the Werksmans name.

As the year 2007 drew to a close, and ninety years of the Werksmans existence was celebrated by the firm, its dynamic new ethos was a well-adjusted combination of the original founder's insistence on correct, thorough service, delivered with the most personal involvement by a group of dedicated, loyal, knowledgeable and able partners, with a vision for the twenty-first century that matches the technological, social and global realities of the modern world. This was set in place to take the firm, growing and positive, into its future.

2009

• In order to widen the presence of the Werksmans name, on 1 March 2009, Werksmans merged with historical Cape law firm, Jan S. de Villiers, to expand its regional footprint; 120 new people joined the ranks of Werksmans.

2016

• The Cape Town office moved from Thibault Square to the Silo Precinct in the V&A Waterfront.

2017

• Werksmans joins the Interlex Group as its first African member.

2017 and beyond

• 100 and beyond and no signs of slowing down.

As the firm looks forward confidently from the vantage point of a hundred years of practising law in South Africa, it looks back at the same time with pride and a great sense of accomplishment at the values and traditions it inherited from the drive, stature and achievement of its founder, Nathan Werksman.