Thomson Wilks Attorneys has announced its merger with the former Durban office of Eversheds Sutherland, effective 1 January 2026. The move marks a significant expansion of Thomson Wilks’ footprint in KwaZulu-Natal and strengthens its national and international offering.
Stephen Thomson, founder and director of Thomson Wilks, says the merger delivers strategic value for both firms. He explains that the addition of the Durban team provides the critical mass the firm has been seeking in the region and enables it to offer clients a broader and more comprehensive suite of legal services in KwaZulu-Natal.
Andrew Turner, former managing partner of Eversheds Sutherland Durban, says the decision to join Thomson Wilks reflects a shared vision for the future of legal practice in South Africa. While the Durban office benefited from robust offshore opportunities through its decade-long association with Eversheds Sutherland International, Turner notes that the move to Thomson Wilks offers a more holistic and locally integrated business model.
“We look forward to the broader South African focus that Thomson Wilks brings, while still benefiting from an international reach through its global alliance partner, the London-based DWF Legal,” Turner says.
“Thomson Wilks is committed to delivering world-class legal services at scale. The firm has built an impressive presence across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Dubai and now Durban. We are excited about a relationship that will allow for the sharing of intellectual property and clients across the network, to the benefit of both the firm and its clients,” he says.
Describing the merger as a key milestone, Thomson says the firm is enthusiastic about welcoming the Durban team.
“The move of the former Eversheds Sutherland Durban office to Thomson Wilks is an exciting next step in our evolution, and we are delighted to welcome them into the Thomson Wilks team,” he says.
The merger also sees a number of experienced practitioners joining the firm. Notable directors joining Thomson Wilks include Lara Jansen van Rensburg, Glynn Kent and Donovan Avenant, amongst others, further strengthening the firm’s depth of expertise and leadership in the KwaZulu-Natal market.
