The awards are hosted by Law.com with Africa Legal, the Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa, and the global charity, Save the Children as partners. There are 29 categories for both private practice law firms and in-house legal departments.
This awards event is well established as the premier African celebration of the top achieving lawyers and law firms with entries coming in from across the continent.
This year the nations represented include:
Algeria
Angola
Botswana
Cameroon
Congo, the Democratic Republic of the
Côte d'Ivoire
Egypt
France
Ghana
Kenya
Mauritius
Mozambique
Nigeria
Portugal
South Africa
Tanzania, United Republic of
Tunisia
Uganda
Zimbabwe, and
the United Kingdom and the United States of America!
Africa Legal’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Cowan, who is on the Africa Advisory Board of Save the Children, said there would, for the first time, be a special award, named the Children’s Advocate Award, supported by Save the Children. The award recognises firms and in-house legal teams who are enhancing the rights and lives of children in Africa.
“We are delighted to be a partner at this incredible celebration of African success. After the year we have been having this will be a wonderful opportunity to once again celebrate together.”*
To reinforce the event’s pan African emphasis two new judges have been named.
They are Kevin Abdallah, the Senior Partner at LIMA Partners in Ghana, and Elizabeth Onyango, Chief Operations Officer from the International Law Institute-African Centre for Legal Excellence in Uganda.
Clare Sutherland, Global Event Director Law.com/Legal Week, said there had been a 22% increase in entry numbers and a 57% increase on unique firms entering – despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The appetite to recognise success across Africa is a true testament to the talent on the continent. We are delighted to facilitate the celebration of success with Africa Legal”
This year Africa Legal is also partnering with Law.com/Legal Week to conduct the Africa Top 50 survey. The results from this survey will determine the ranking of the Top 50 African law firms based on footprint. Our Intelligence Analysts are in the process of contacting those firms to qualify the data. The information gathered will be used to understand trends in the African legal market and will form part of a report produced in conjunction with the African Legal Awards. Firms listed as part of the Africa Top 50 will receive a badge to promote their position on the list as well as global coverage on Law.com International and Africa Legal.
* The African Legal Awards usually bring the region's legal community together for a glittering awards ceremony. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with government guidance we will not be hosting an in person event. We are currently working on the most effective way to celebrate the winners and will share this information as soon as we can. The shortlist will be announced in July.
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