Global law firm White & Case is strengthening its practice in Africa with three new partners in its Johannesburg office and the relocation of two partners from its London office.

White & Case’s Johannesburg office, which was launched in 1995, will act as the firm’s hub for project finance and bank finance activity in sub-Saharan Africa, offering on-the-ground English and South African law finance advice.

“South Africa is a natural target for expansion, given marketplace growth and the attractiveness of Johannesburg to both local and international financial institutions,” said White & Case’s EMEA bank finance group head Lee Cullinane.

White & Case chairperson Hugh Verrier noted that a strong Johannesburg office was fundamental to the group’s strategy in Africa. “The addition of senior partners in Johannesburg underscores our commitment to our clients in South Africa, as well as the increasing number of multinationals and financial institutions doing business in the region.”

The firm confirms the arrival in early 2014 of Joz Coetzer, Johan de Lange, and Craig Whitley, who join White & Case as new partners in its banking and project finance groups. All three lawyers are recognised leaders in their fields.

“The addition of three senior lawyers of such high calibre represents an important landmark in the development of the firm’s practice in Africa,” said White & Case’s EMEA Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance group head Philip Stopford.

“Their local knowledge will complement our existing practice and enable us to provide an enhanced level of service to our clients in Africa.”

Project Finance partner Christopher Utting, a member of the firm’s global partnership committee, will relocate to the Johannesburg office from London in January 2014 and will head the office. Utting is a senior project finance lawyer who has been with White & Case since 2002. He is qualified in both England and New York and has advised lenders, borrowers and investors on cross border financings in project finance, Islamic finance and general banking matters in a wide variety of industries.

London-based project finance partner Mukund Dhar will join Utting. Dhar joined the firm in 2007 and advises sponsors, developers, utilities and lenders on international projects, project financings and acquisitions.

White & Case has been advising clients on complex, cross-border legal issues in the region for more than 30 years and was the first international law firm to establish an office in South Africa, post-apartheid.