our people

Lawrence Helman is an Executive at ENS in the Corporate Commercial practice. He specialises in M&A, company regulatory and strategic and other corporate law advice, including crisis management. 

He has a diverse practice across a range of industries.  His clients include multi-nationals and other corporates investing into South Africa and other parts of Africa, South African listed companies, family offices, family businesses and start-ups.

Two transactions on which he has advised were recently nominated for South African Dealmaker of the Year.

As part of his inbound investment practice, he has developed a deep expertise in franchising and licensing. 

Outside of practice, Lawrence has served as a councillor of the Cape Law Society, a member of the Council’s Finance Committee and a member of the Attorneys Fidelity Fund Board of Control.

He has been consistently recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by Best Lawyers, Corporate Lawyer of the Year (South Africa) and Who’s Who Legal.

He currently co-edits the American Bar Association publication on Franchising in South Africa and was recognized as leading Franchise Lawyer in Corporate LiveWire Legal Awards.

“No less important for a Lawyer is the cultivation of the imaginative faculties by reading poetry, seeing great paintings and listening to great music” – Felix Frankfurter

Lawrence is recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by:

• Best Lawyers® 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016 – Corporate Law; 2017 – Corporate Lawyer of the Year (South Africa)
• Who’s Who Legal 2019, 2014 – Franchise (South Africa)
• Corporate LiveWire Legal Awards 2016 – Franchise Lawyer of the Year (South Africa)