Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has hired energy and infrastructure partner Jannie de Villiers in its Johannesburg office.

Jannie specialises in advising public and private energy and infrastructure clients on corporate transactional work. This includes complex M&A, joint ventures, corporate and commercial property law, and black economic empowerment transactions.

Jannie regularly advises investors, funders, and developers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Junaid Banoobhai, head of Pinsent Masons Africa, said: “Jannie is a very well-respected lawyer in the market. His extensive experience advising some of the regions most complex corporate transactions across the energy and infrastructure sectors will be invaluable to help bolster the firm’s full-service offering to domestic and international clients doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Jannie joins from South African law firm Werksmans.

Jannie said of his appointment: “Energy and infrastructure sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa continue to be extremely active amongst investors, funders, and developers alike. Joining Pinsent Masons and its sector focused approach is an exciting next step for me. I’m looking forward to continuing to support energy and infrastructure clients and their work that is transforming the sectors in the region.”

Pinsent Masons has advised some of Southern Africa’s largest energy and infrastructure deals. Recent examples include advising Voltalia South Africa on its landmark corporate power purchase agreement with Richards Bay Minerals, and ENI on its joint venture with bp in Angola to create Azule Energy.