Fasken

About Fasken

Fasken is an international business law firm with a long history in South Africa. Its local practice dates back to 1879, when it was founded in Grahamstown before moving to Johannesburg. In 2013 it merged with Bell Dewar, a Johannesburg firm founded in 1889 that was well known for mining, energy and infrastructure work.

The South African practice now trades as Fasken but is still incorporated locally as Bell Dewar Inc. Its Johannesburg office is in Sandton. The firm advises on mining, energy, infrastructure, finance, and corporate and mergers work across Africa. It also draws on an international network that includes offices in Canada.

How Fasken supports students

Law firms need a steady supply of good young lawyers. Fasken builds that pipeline through scholarships, vacation work and its candidate attorney programme. The funding is usually described as a scholarship. Recent calls named awards in honour of former colleagues, including the Ricci Schwab Lyons scholarship and one honouring Lundi Gadla.

Applicants had to be studying towards a law qualification and be registered for their second, third or penultimate year. They also needed an average of at least 65% across their completed years. The firm looked for leadership, self-motivation, an interest in community issues, and the potential to become an effective attorney at Fasken.

What to know before applying

Scholarship holders are expected to take part in the firm's vacation work programme. This lets them see how a large commercial practice works. Students can apply for vacation work from their second year. During the break they join formal training sessions, seminars for lawyers and other firm events.

Many Fasken lawyers first joined as vacation students, and some were scholarship recipients. However, a scholarship does not guarantee a place for articles. Candidate attorney applications are handled separately, and students can start applying from their second year.

The number of awards, the closing date and the documents required change each year. Therefore, read the current call on the Fasken careers pages for law students before you apply. Prepare your academic record, a motivation and your references early.

Applicants should also understand the kind of firm Fasken is. It focuses on business and commercial law, so its work differs from that of a general high-street practice. A student who enjoys mining, energy, finance or major projects will find the most to learn there. Show your interest in those areas, and give examples of leadership at university, in sport or in your community. Follow the firm's instructions exactly, and apply before the closing date. Finally, ask your faculty or career office whether the firm visits your campus.