Pan-African corporate law firm Bowman Gilfillan has won the prestigious Law Firm of the Year award at the Africa Oil and Gas Summit 2013.

The Africa Oil and Gas Awards - judged by a panel of energy ministries, oil and gas companies and market experts from across Africa - were announced at a gala dinner at Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront last night.

Lizel Oberholzer, Head of Oil and Gas at Bowman Gilfillan, commented that it was a great honour to be acknowledged by the industry.

“Bowman Gilfillan recognised the potential of the oil and gas sector in Africa and, twenty years ago, was the first large corporate law firm on the continent to establish a dedicated oil and gas department. The firm’s growth as a pan-African legal services group has enabled us to gain considerable experience and establish strong relationships with upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas companies and energy ministries across Africa.”

Adam Jaffe of the event organisers, Oliver Kinross, commented that the Law Firm of the Year Award was hotly contested.

“The Africa Oil and Gas Awards are not only about showcasing excellence and multi-jurisdictional engagement, which of course was a major consideration in making the award, but our panel looked for winners who have done something more, winners who have played a defining role in moving the industry forwards –  and this was what really made Bowman Gilfillan stand out.”

Oberholzer said that, given its potential to contribute to economic growth and employment, the Bowman Gilfillan oil and gas team takes a keen interest in supporting the industry on projects in Africa.

“We have assisted companies, governments and industry associations with major strategic projects aimed at developing oil and gas on the continent. Our intention is to continue working with the industry to maximise opportunities, which will spur development and growth and make a significant contribution to government revenues.”