Webber Wentzel

About Webber Wentzel

Webber Wentzel is one of South Africa's long-established law firms. Most sources trace its history to 1868, when two attorneys joined forces. The modern firm took shape in 2008, when it merged with the Cape Town firm Mallinicks. It now has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Its work covers areas such as competition law, banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and commercial work, disputes, employment, environment and financial services regulation.

The firm entered a formal alliance with the global firm Linklaters in February 2013. In July 2026, the two firms announced that the alliance would end from 1 November 2026, and that they would return to a more flexible relationship. For students, the change matters mainly as background. It shows that the firm is entering a new stage as an independent South African practice, and you may see older material that still describes the alliance as current.

How Webber Wentzel supports students

Why does a law firm fund students? Large commercial firms depend on a steady flow of able young lawyers. A scholarship helps the firm to meet talented students before they qualify, while it also widens access to a profession that can be hard to enter without family resources. Webber Wentzel offers early career programmes on its website, including a scholarship for LLB students, an experience programme and a candidate attorney programme. Together, they form a route from university into legal practice.

The Webber Wentzel Scholarship is a partial award for the last two years of an LLB. The firm's form says plainly that it may not cover every academic expense, and that applicants must try to arrange other funding for any shortfall. The form also asks for detailed financial information about parents, guardians or a spouse, so financial circumstances clearly form part of the assessment. It lists 17 South African universities from which students can apply.

What to know before applying

Is there a work-back obligation? The application form does not describe one, and we could not confirm any such requirement. Third-party listings say that recipients may be considered for the firm's Candidate Attorney Programme, based on academic results, suitable vacancies and performance in the recruitment process. That wording suggests an opportunity and not a guarantee, and it does not by itself create a duty on either side. Ask the graduate recruitment team, and read any agreement closely before you accept funding.

Law students who want to work at a firm like this should prepare early. Keep your marks strong, take part in moots or legal clinics if your university offers them, and read about the areas of law that interest you. Dates for scholarships and programmes can change from year to year, so confirm them on the early careers pages of the official website. You can also call the Johannesburg office on +27 11 530 5000 or the Cape Town office on +27 21 431 7000.