Partner and corporate M&A attorney at Bowmans, Lerato Thahane explains that what drew her to law was not simply law itself: "It was the opportunity to solve difficult problems, help people make bold decisions, and contribute to building businesses that create jobs, investment and long-term economic growth."
Supplied image: Lerato Thahane, partner and corporate M&A attorney at Bowmans
Having joined Bowmans over 15 years ago, after the completion of her LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand, Thahane has gone on to work on several high profile deals, including, among others, the $428m sale of Neotel to Liquid Telecommunications, Maersk's $644m acquisition of Senator International, as well as the $1.7bn acquisition of Pioneer Foods by PepsiCo, which was named the 2020 ‘Deal of the Year’ by DealMakers.
"Every day I have the privilege of working with clients on some of the most significant transactions and strategic decisions in their businesses," says Thahane. "The technical side of law is important, but what has kept me passionate about this profession is that, at its best, it is a people business built on trust, judgment and lasting relationships."
And it is this professional passion and drive that has led to her growing recognition within the industry. In 2021, Thahane was named as one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans - an annual initiative honouring exceptional innovators, changemakers and leaders aged 18-35. The following year, she was shortlisted for ‘Partner of the Year’ by the African Legal Awards. She's been ranked as a Next Generation Partner for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in South Africa (2023-2026) by Legal 500, and the Chambers Global Global has ranked her in Band 5 for her work in Corporate/ M&A in South Africa (2026).
This Women's Month, Thahane talks to us about what makes women an invaluable asset in the legal boardroom, about intentional leadership, protecting women's rights, and what the profession really needs from young female attorneys...
What do you view as women's "superpowers" in the courtroom or at the negotiating table?
One of the greatest strengths many women bring is the ability to combine intellectual rigour with emotional awareness. We prepare meticulously, listen carefully and understand that the best negotiations are not won by speaking the loudest, but by understanding what truly matters to the people across the table.
That combination of commercial judgment, empathy and confidence allows women to build consensus without compromising outcomes. It is a leadership style that creates durable solutions rather than short-term victories.
What are some of the hurdles women in the industry still face and what can be done to overcome them?
We have made meaningful progress, but there is still work to do. Too often, women are expected to prove themselves repeatedly before they are trusted with the biggest opportunities or recognised as leaders.
At the same time, many continue to carry a disproportionate share of responsibilities outside the workplace. The answer is not simply better policies. It is intentional leadership.
We need sponsors who advocate for women when they are not in the room, leaders who entrust them with career-defining work, and workplaces that judge people by the quality of their contribution rather than outdated assumptions about how leadership should look.
If you could create one law that would improve the lives of women, what would it be?
If I could change one thing, it would not be another law. South Africa already has a strong constitutional and legislative framework protecting the rights of women.
Our greatest challenge is not a lack of laws; it is ensuring that they are consistently enforced and that women can access the protection, justice and economic opportunities those laws promise. If we focused our collective energy on implementation rather than legislation, we would transform far more lives than by simply adding another Act to the statute books.
Who are your female legal icons and why?
I have enormous admiration for Professor Bonita Meyersfeld. Her career reflects something I value deeply: excellence without spectacle. She has demonstrated that integrity, intellectual rigour and humility are not competing qualities but complementary ones.
Equally, some of my greatest role models have never been public figures. They are the women I have worked alongside throughout my career, leaders who have opened doors for others, invested in young lawyers and shown that the true measure of success is not only what you achieve yourself, but what you enable others to achieve after you.
What is your Women's Month message to young girls who have an interest in law?
The legal profession does not need you to become someone else in order to succeed. It needs your perspective, your curiosity and your courage. Do not wait until you feel completely ready before putting your hand up.
Back yourself, ask difficult questions, seek out people who will challenge and champion you, and remember that excellence is built through consistency, not perfection.
Most importantly, never measure your success by whether you are the only woman in the room. Measure it by the quality of your contribution once you are there.
