Pieter van der Merwe is the managing partner of VDMA. Pieter specialises in commercial law and advises international and local clients across a broad range of corporate and commercial matters. His expertise extends from commercial law to finance and banking law, including real estate.
He has advised on significant high-value cross-border investment matters and landmark transactions in the agriculture and private equity sectors, including matters involving banks, large corporations and start-ups. Pieter is experienced in delivering legal solutions tailored to multi-faceted, complex matters.
In addition to his technical legal expertise, Pieter’s strengths include precision, enabling him to provide clear, understandable advice with a particular focus on outcomes that create value for the client. He always keeps the client’s interests at heart, regardless of the size of the transaction, and is straightforward and precise in his advice, drafting and reviewing of agreements. Implementing transactions effectively and as quickly as possible, without compromising quality, is central to his approach, and he is known for being easy to work with.
Sector Specialty
Agribusiness
Financial Services
Real Estate
Consumer Goods and Manufacturing
Transport and Logistics
Practice areas
Banking and Financial Institutions
Mergers and Acquisitions
Real Estate
Private Wealth
Qualifications
University of the Free State, South Africa, B.Proc Law Degree
University of South Africa, South Africa, Master of Laws Degree
Bar Admissions
Admitted Attorney, South Africa
Admitted Conveyancer, South Africa
Admitted Notary, South Africa
EXPERIENCE
Acted for a leading agriculture company in a landmark, first-of-its-kind large-scale securitisation transaction in the agriculture sector, involving a multi-company structure, complex security arrangements, regulatory compliance and complex agreements.
Advised an international venture capital company on one of the largest venture capital investments into a local start-up, including company formation and complex shareholder and directors’ agreement structuring.
Represented one of the leading banks in South Africa in making submissions on the bank’s behalf regarding the legislative reform of finance laws.
Represented a medical group of companies in an acquisition involving complex, contested competition law issues.
Has been invited to speak on the South African legal landscape and on commercial and corporate law matters in 15 countries, including an invitation from the Milan Bar Association in Italy.