Deneys has re-elected Michelle David as chair for a second term, marking a continuity in leadership as the firm continues its transition to independence. The South African law firm announced the reappointment on 28 August, confirming that David will begin her renewed tenure on 30 September.
Continuity in Leadership
David will serve until 29 September 2030. She previously led the firm’s relaunch as an independent entity after the South African team severed its alliance with London‑headquartered Norton Rose Fulbright earlier this year. The spin‑out occurred in March.
Before the separation, the practice operated under the Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa banner. The firm’s structure has changed, but the leadership at the top remains the same.
Maintaining the same chair through a period of organisational transformation provides a steady hand for both internal stakeholders and external partners. By retaining a familiar governance style, Deneys can preserve its strategic momentum while adapting to the new market trends that accompany a stand‑alone operation.
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The decision to keep David at the helm reflects confidence in her ability to balance the demands of a growing client base with the administrative responsibilities that come with chairing a firm in flux. Her re‑appointment signals that the board values a leader who already understands the nuances of the firm’s recent evolution.
Background on the New Leadership
David has a background in financial services regulatory law. Her practice has served financial services providers, pension funds, and medical schemes. She has maintained this practice while serving as chair.
She began her career at Bowman Gilfillan in 2006. In 2012, she moved to Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, where she eventually took on the role of chair in 2022. Her career history includes a prior stint at now‑defunct Routledge Modise Attorneys, which merged with Hogan Lovells in 2014 and closed its South African branch in 2024.
Statements from Leadership
David expressed her sentiment regarding the role in a statement: “It is a privilege to be trusted with this role again. The chair is not a platform. It is a responsibility to the people across our regions, to our clients, and to a profession we intend to leave better than we found it.”