Infrastructure. Natural Resources. Technology.
SPECIALIST LAW FIRM
ABOUT US
Specialist legal advice
Advising from conception to project completion
Tailored legal solutions
Projects delivered on time
Projects completed within client’s budget
Proactive legal strategies
Project risk management
Experience in cross border transactions
Award-wining lawyers
Black female owned and managed
Leveraging technology to provide efficient services
We are a specialist commercial law firm, female-owned and led, providing advice on the delivery of infrastructure, natural resources and technology projects.
We act for employers, contractors, subcontractors, project managers, banks, project companies and mining companies, both locally and internationally.
Our team is able to advise on all aspects of project delivery, across various sectors and jurisdictions in Africa and abroad. Our services include pre-contract and post-contract services, as well as claims and disputes.
We aim to partner with our clients, providing practical legal solutions that are tailored for the project, from its conception through to its execution and completion.
OUR SERVICES
Construction and Engineering
Corporate and Commercial
Dispute Resolution
Employment
Procurement
Project Finance
Technology, Media and Telecommunications
OUR SECTORS
INFRASTRUCTURE
MINING
ENERGY
OIL & GAS
PROPERTY
TECHNOLOGY
100%
Black-female owned
25
Number of nominations, awards and accolades held
35+
Countries advised in
2500+
Projects and deals advised on across the team
50+
Combined number of years experience.
THE FOUNDER
Zama Ngcobo
LLB, LLM (Business Law)
WMN Attorneys Inc was founded by South African-qualified construction law and dispute resolution specialist, Zama Ngcobo. Zama began her career at Africa’s largest law firm and has over a decade’s experience advising on large, complex infrastructure, natural resources and technology projects across Africa and beyond.
Thought Leader
Advisory Board Member
Construction Law Lecturer
Global Speaker & Panellist
Member of the Society of Construction Law for Africa
Recognised by Best Lawyers (South Africa) 2025 for expertise in Construction Law
Mail & Guardian’s Women of Power 2024: Law & Justice
South Africa’s Top 40 Under Forty 2024 Winner: Law
African Legal Awards Best Woman Lawyer in Private Practice 2024 Finalist
Nominated for a game changers, pioneers, young achievers Justitia Award, presented by the Women in Law Initiative in Austria in 2023 and 2024.
Featured in the Mining Elites of Africa 2023 Yearbook
Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award 2023 Winner
African Legal Awards Partner of the Year 2022 Finalist
“At a young age, Zama has managed to break barriers in fields that are predominantly male. She has established herself as an industry leader amongst her peers and seasoned lawyers and jurists; and is very well respected amongst her peers as well as her seniors.”
Mining Review Africa: Mining Elites in Africa 2023
“Her belief that South Africans are some of the most friendliest, most creative, resourceful and resilient people one would ever come across is clearly reflected in her own life and success.”
SACPCMP Magazine: Spotlight on Women in the Built Environment
The firm and its practitioners have recieved the following recognition in the market:
"The firm’s presence was certainly felt at some high level awards in 2022, being shortlisted for five African Legal Awards, including African Law Firm of the Year (Small Practice), and shortlisted for four WOZA Africa Women in Law Awards where the firm was runner up in the category of Best South African Law Firm (with five women lawyers or less).”
Africa Legal
WMN Attorneys Inc. is a proud supporter of Ubuntu NPO and Dare to Change NPC.
NEWS
Zama Ngcobo was recently selected by her peers for inclusion in the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa for her expertise in Construction Law.
Dare to be Bold
It’s been a remarkable journey for Zama Ngcobo, who won the prestigious 2023 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award. In a candid conversation with Wanda Augustyn, she shares her experiences as a female entrepreneur, insights into business opportunities and invaluable advice for aspiring women leaders
2023 Veuve Clicquot Bold Women Award Winners Zama Ngcobo and Claire Blanckenberg reflect on then and now
It’s been almost a year since Zama Ngcobo and Claire Blanckenberg were honoured as the winners of the 2023 Bold Future Award and Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, respectively. Launched in 1972, the Bold
WMN HOLDING THEIR OWN IN A MALE-DOMINATED SECTOR
Three years after opening their doors, WMN Attorneys, a South African-based specialist law firm, has made a name for itself in the infrastructure and natural resources sectors across Africa, advising on multiple major projects. Zama Ngcobo told Africa Legal about their future plans
AUDACIOUS, BOLD, COURAGEOUS WOMEN
For nearly 50 years since Madame Clicquot took the reins of the maison, the House of Veuve Clicquot has honoured BOLD entrepreneurial women who have built, taken on, or developed a business. It is this audacious spirit of courage and tenacity that inspired the
A focus on the construction industry
In this edition of The Legal Industry Reviews we interviewed Zama Ngcobo, founder of WMN Attorneys. known for its impact on South Africa's construction and energy sectors. Focused on empowering women in law, the firm navigates challenges like cross-
2023 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award Winners
South Africa celebrates the 2023 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award winners, Claire Blanckenberg and Zama Ngcobo, for their entrepreneurial excellence. In a highly anticipated event held at The Forum, in Johannesburg on 19 July, Claire Blanckenberg
Meet The 2023 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award Finalists
Veuve Clicquot has selected 6 entrepreneurial women as finalists for the annual Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award in South Africa. For over 50 years, true to the heritage of its trailblazing leader, Madame Clicquot, the Bold programme has highlighted and empowered
Sippin’ the Clicquot, rockin’ the boss ladies
The winner of the 2023 Bold Future Award, Zama Ngcobo, established her law firm WMN Attorneys in January 2021 and now has 12 people on board. The company’s name is an acronym combining the first letter of the word.
Loving Law & Going Far
South African women working in the Built Environment are making their mark on the international arena! Recently, Zama Ngcobo, a South African-qualified construction lawyer, was appointed to the Board of the International Building Quality Centre (IBQC),
South Africa’s 2023 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award Winners & Finalists
In a highly anticipated event held at The Forum in Johannesburg on 19 July, Claire Blanckenberg and Zama Ngcobo were lauded as the winners….
Increased opportunity drives expansion
WMN Attorneys, a boutique commercial law firm, recently opened an office in Durban, South Africa, where their newly appointed Dispute Resolution and Employment law team will be primarily based.
Attorneys on the rise
WMN Attorneys Inc believes in uplifting their lawyers, and recently celebrated promoting two associates to senior associate level, and promoting their first candidate attorney to associate level.
Leveraging previous experience
WMN Attorneys is excited about one of their current high-profile projects, advising African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on the Merensky Concentrator Plant Project, and shared some insights around the work involved
Mining elites in Africa 2023 projects and leaders making a difference
The new Merensky Concentrator Plant Project mine development comprises underground mining operations with associated waste dumps and ore stockpile, a processing plant, tailings management facilities and supporting
Two years of WMN striding ahead
Although South African-based WMN Attorneys Inc is still a relative newcomer to the fold, they have already made a name for themselves in the legal industry, and celebrated the firm’s second birthday looking back at...
Fighting for vulnerable laborers
Kgomotso Mokoena is a labor law lecturer and attorney also focused on constitutional, media and intellectual property laws, with a particular interest in the gig economy. Born to parents in exile in Atlanta, United States...
INSIGHTS
The legal position of a cannabis-user employee in a strictly no use company
It is public knowledge that South Africa is one of the countries that has legalised the use of cannabis for private use. This is according to the locus classicus decided by the Constitutional Court in Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development...
Quick dispute resolutions favour all parties
South Africa’s multi-billion-dollar construction industry plays a critical role in the economy, job creation and enabling business.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE LAZY LAWYER
Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as AI, is a trending topic of discussion. The conversations surrounding AI range from its benefits to its potential for misuse to its inherent weaknesses. WMN Inc. previously issued an article about the positive uses of AI....
Ever heard of the Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre?
In a world with a multifaceted complex of industries and sectors, a greater focus tends toward economic development by opening new markets and revitalizing existing ones. Unfortunately, in this milieu, the rule of law and ethical standards and enforcement of good....
The impact of immigration law amendments by African countries
Nations across Africa are increasingly realising the critical importance of dismantling barriers that have long hindered intra continental interactions. From the removal of troublesome trade tariffs within sub-regions to the elimination of visa restrictions entirely....
The impact of artificial intelligence on generating automated standard form construction contracts: A Step in the right direction?
Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is the ability of machines to perform tasks that are typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning and problem-solving. AI has many
The current legal position on demands for payment under construction guarantees
In terms of most standard-form contracts, the contractors are required to furnish guarantees for the benefit of the employer in the event...
When boilerplate clauses hinder rather than assist a party
While no contract is ever the same, certain clauses are generally agreed upon to include in the contract (especially when a lawyer is the individual responsible for drafting
Lack of Application and Implementation of Contract Participation Goals
In South Africa, the construction industry is a major contributor to the economy and plays a significant role in infrastructural development. The government has established CPGs..
Out with the old, in with the new : Amendments to the CCMA Rules 2023
The long-awaited amendments to the Rules for the Conduct of Proceedings (Rules) before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) came into effect on 24 April 2023.
The rise of LGBTQIA+ rights in South African law
Every June the world celebrates Pride Month which is meant to celebrate and commemorate the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex, asexual, and others’ rights.
CONTACT US
JOHANNESBURG
Landline: +27 (0) 10 300 0928
DURBAN
Landline: +27 (0) 31 028 0089
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