Chris Ewing is the chairman of Cliffe Dekker and is the firm's leading merger and acquisition specialist. Chris has assisted numerous major international and domestic corporations in merger and acquisition transactions, joint ventures, listings and the establishment of new businesses in South Africa. Chris specialises in mergers and acquisitions, transaction structuring and corporate finance.

Chris began his career in 1970 in the finance department at South African Breweries. He joined Cliffe Dekker (then Cliffe Dekker & Todd) in 1974, serving his articles of clerkship and as a professional assistant until 1978 when he moved to Credit Guarantee Corporation as their legal adviser. In 1979, Chris rejoined Cliffe Dekker as a partner. He was elected chairman in September 2001.

BCom LLB, University of the Witwatersrand
Date of Admission: 1976

• Advised Business Connexion on the acquisition of entire issued share capital by Telkom

• Advised Tusk Casino and Hotel Group on the acquisition by Peermont Global of a controlling interest

• Advised Lonmin plc with regard to the acquisition by Incwala Resources of 18.1% of Western Platinum and Eastern Platinum from Impala Platinum valued at US$554.4 million. This transaction was awarded the "Deal of the Year 2005" by Dealmakers Magazine

• Advised Ellerines Holdings in their merger with Relyant, valued at ZAR1.451 billion in a share for share transaction between two major South African furniture retailers with interests throughout Africa

• Advised M-Web Holdings in their acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Tiscali, the South African subsidiary of Tiscali Spa of Italy, valued at ZAR320 million

• Advised CCMP Asia Limited on the acquisition of Waco Limited, a company with interests in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Namibia and Zimbabwe, in South Africa's largest ever private equity transaction having a value of R5.4 billion

• Advised Verizon South Africa on the establishment of businesses and the acquisition of various companies in Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania

• Advised Foodcorp Limited with regard to the acquisition of a food processing plant and canning business in Zambia

• Advised Clear Channel Limited and Independent Newspapers on the acquisition of the outdoor advertising business of Corpcom Limited in 8 African countries

• Advised Bidvest Limited on the disposal of its logistics business in Mozambique - Manica Mozambique Limited

• Advised GTECH Corporation on its lottery bid in Mauritius

• Chambers Global 2008: Corporate/M&A rates Chris Ewing as Band 1 (top tier). Chambers notes that he has an excellent reputation in the market. According to sources, "he is very hands-on and gives sound, strategic advice."

• PLC Which Lawyer? 2008 Yearbook:
  • Chris is highly recommended in Corporate/M&A
  • Chris is recommended in Private Equity
  • Chris is recognised in Corporate Governance

• PLC Corporate/ M&A Handbook 2008
  • Chris is highly recommended

• Legal 500 EMEA 2007: Corporate and M&A says Chris "receives glowing feedback from clients".

• Best Lawyers International 2008:South Africa ranks Chris in Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity.

• IFLR1000: Corporate/M&A - Leading Lawyer says Chris 'Receives glowing feedback from clients.'

• Expert Guides (Legal Media Group):
  • Chris is rated as a pre-eminent practitioner in M&A
  • Chris is rated as a pre-eminent practitioner in Private Equity

• International Who's Who of M&A Lawyers 2007: M&A nominated Chris among the world's pre-eminent M&A lawyers

• International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2007: M&A - nominated Chris among the world's pre-eminent M&A lawyers

• Chambers and Partners, Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2007 says "Spectacularly spectacular Chris Ewing charms clients and peers with his experience in the way he 'always works with clients' best interests in mind'. His approach is 'practical and completely commercial', and he is also noted for being an effective team leader."