Bowmans (Bowman Gilfillan)

About Bowmans

Bowmans, known in South Africa for many years as Bowman Gilfillan, is one of Africa's leading corporate law firms. Its head office is in Johannesburg, and it also has South African offices in Cape Town and Durban. Beyond the country's borders, the firm works from offices in Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.

The firm employs more than 650 specialist lawyers. They advise local and multinational companies, financial institutions, funds and state-owned entities. Their work covers corporate and commercial law, finance, competition, tax, employment, technology and dispute resolution.

How Bowmans supports students

Bowmans runs a bursary programme to build a pipeline of future lawyers. It welcomes two groups. The first is matric learners with excellent results who plan to study law. The second is exceptional students who are already at university. As a result, the programme can support a candidate from the very start of an LLB, BCom Law or BA Law degree, or later in the course.

The bursary is designed to cover the main costs of study. According to published programme information, this includes tuition fees, prescribed books, and accommodation and meals. However, the exact package can change from year to year, so confirm the current terms on the official Bowmans website.

Funding is only one part of the offer. Bowmans also runs the Bowmans Break vacation work programme. It lets a limited number of law students spend a week at the firm during the June/July or November/December holidays. During that week, students see what a commercial lawyer does day to day. In addition, the firm offers candidate legal practitioner articles, which many law graduates need before they can practise, and a virtual experience programme for students who cannot visit an office.

Together, these programmes give bursary holders more than money. They gain early contact with working lawyers, a feel for the culture of a large firm, and a realistic view of a career in corporate law.

What to know before applying

Bowmans recruits well ahead of time. The firm typically hires about two years in advance, so it pays to apply early in your studies rather than waiting for your final year.

The documents you submit depend on your stage of study. Matric learners should attach their Grade 11 and Grade 12 results, and matriculants should upload their National Senior Certificate. University students should provide their academic transcript, matric certificate and identity document. They must also upload a marked legal assignment, which shows the firm how you write and reason.

Strong marks matter, but so does preparation. Read the instructions on the careers pages, check the closing date, and make sure every document is clear and complete. Dates and criteria change between recruitment cycles, so the official site is always the final word. Applications are made directly with the firm, and you should never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.