During her decade in the managing partner role, Hutton has had a transformative impact on the success of the firm. Known in the market as an exceptional private equity M&A lawyer and an outstanding business leader, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the firm’s market position and elevating its profile and brand.
Revered for her strategic foresight, astute judgement, commitment to excellence and exemplary work ethic, Hutton has led by example, instilling a culture of excellence at Webber Wentzel, with a focus on delivering the best possible outcomes for the firm and its clients. She has steered the firm through some periods of unprecedented disruption, but under her guidance Webber Wentzel has emerged stronger and more resilient than before. Her decisiveness and ability to provide clear strategic direction while keeping a close eye on detail have enabled the firm to remain agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment.
In 2014, Hutton became the first woman to be elected as a senior leader of a major South African law firm when she was appointed managing partner of Webber Wentzel. She has spearheaded the firm’s gender equity initiatives during her two terms as managing partner, establishing a Gender Strategy Working Group and formulating a multipronged gender strategy to address the high attrition rate of women in the more senior levels. Women now comprise almost 50% of the overall Webber Wentzel partnership.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my career to date to serve as the managing partner of Webber Wentzel and I am very proud of what we have achieved together,” Hutton said after announcing she would step down. “I am delighted to hand over the role to our Corporate Business Unit head, Safiyya Patel, who will become the first black woman to lead Webber Wentzel. This marks a defining milestone in our firm’s transformation journey. Safiyya has a long history of leadership at the firm. She is an inclusive leader and is well placed to lead the firm through this next chapter. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure a smooth transition and supporting both her and Gareth, our senior partner elect, in their new roles.”
Patel began her career in the legal profession almost three decades ago, at Webber Wentzel. She specialises in general commercial law, M&A and transactions related to black economic empowerment, and her expertise has been recognised in IFLR1000’s Women Leaders Guide since 2018. Patel also holds a number of external board roles. She has become a noted role model for younger lawyers, especially younger black female lawyers and professionals aspiring to rise through the ranks.
“Being entrusted with the role of managing partner at Webber Wentzel is a profound honour,” Patel said on her appointment as managing partner elect. “I decided to run for the position with the hope that, after nearly 28 years in the legal profession, I might have the opportunity to shape and positively impact the future of the very organisation in which I began my journey as a lawyer. Sally has set a high standard and an incredible example of what it means to lead with an unwavering focus on excellence and an enduring commitment to our firm and its clients. It will be my purpose to build on the firm’s strong foundation and shape a dynamic and progressive law firm for the future – one where everyone has equal opportunities to excel and realise their full potential.”
Christo Els, senior partner at Webber Wentzel, has full confidence in the leadership change: “We are extremely grateful for Sally’s extraordinary contribution to the firm. The strong foundation she has built will empower the new leadership team to take the firm forward with confidence. Sally has also made an incredible contribution to the private equity industry in Africa. She has been at the forefront of most of the landmark private equity deals across Africa, advising global funds and driving growth in emerging markets – all whilst acting as managing partner of our firm – a remarkable achievement,” he said.
“As we move to this new leadership chapter, we are fortunate to have an experienced leader in Safiyya. Over the last ten years at the firm, she has held various important leadership roles, including serving on our board and executive committee, and most notably, heading our market-leading Corporate Business Unit. I am confident that her vision and collaborative leadership style will ensure that the firm continues to build on its well-established foundation,” Els added.
“Safiyya’s appointment as managing partner represents a significant milestone in the transformation of our firm and the broader legal services sector,” commented Gareth Driver, senior partner elect. “I am confident that Safiyya’s purpose-driven and people-centred approach will make a major contribution to a future for Webber Wentzel that is as bright as our past. I look forward to working closely with Safiyya to continue building the legacy of Webber Wentzel.”
Hutton will return to full-time practice at Webber Wentzel when her managing partner term ends. Widely regarded as the “Doyenne of Private Equity” in South Africa, Hutton has advised on most of South Africa’s highest-profile private equity transactions for many years, and her vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the firm’s private equity team into the leading team in the market. Her contribution to the African private equity industry was recognised in November 2024, when she received a Special Recognition Individual Award at the Private Equity Africa (PEA) “Decade” Awards in London, celebrating her outstanding impact on the sector over the years. Earlier in 2024 she was also inducted into the “IFLR Women DealMakers Hall of Fame” for her significant impact on the legal landscape and her efforts to actively promote women in law.