Johannesburg, South Africa, 16 September 2013 – Baker & McKenzie is continuing its rapid growth in Johannesburg with the addition of corporate/M&A partner Dhiren Ganasen and tax of counsel Mark Preiss.

Dhiren has a broad M&A practice advising a range of South African and international corporations. He also has significant expertise in rail and transport infrastructure projects, a fast-growing sector in Southern Africa that will require substantial public and private investment in the coming years. He joins from Webber Wentzel, where he was a partner.

Mark advises major South African corporates and financial institutions on South African, African and international tax issues. His experience includes advising on tax-related issues pertaining to acquisitions, disposals, restructures and transfer pricing. He joins from Ernst & Young, where he was an associate director. He has also worked for the National Treasury on tax policy and legal matters.

"Our strategy since the launch of the office has been to move rapidly to build market leading transactional practices," said Wildu du Plessis, Co-Managing Partner of the Johannesburg office. "The addition of Dhiren and Mark is in line with that strategy, enhancing our client offering in the M&A and corporate tax arenas."

Baker & McKenzie opened it's Johannesburg office in May 2012, initially with 31 lawyers and staff. In December 2012 the office expanded with the addition of all lawyers and staff from leading disputes boutique Rudolph Bernstein & Associates. With the latest hires the office will have 67 lawyers and staff, including 14 partners.