Pre-eminent African law firm Bowmans has appointed commercial property lawyer Ernest Maboko as a partner in its Johannesburg office Commercial Property Practice.

He has a wealth of hard-to-find expertise acquired as senior legal counsel at a top South African financial institution, in addition to considerable experience in commercial property finance and general commercial property. 

Chairman and senior partner, Ezra Davids says ‘We are very pleased that Ernest has decided to come back to Bowmans. He has always demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence and has proven ability to lead complex transactions in commercial property finance and general commercial property. His skills are in high demand but limited supply and will serve Bowmans and our clients well in the years to come.’

Maboko, who originally qualified at Bowmans and progressed to the position of senior associate before leaving in 2022, returned on 1 October 2025 after almost three years as senior legal counsel with Absa Corporate and Investment Bank’s commercial property finance team.

An admitted attorney, notary and conveyancer, Maboko has extensive experience in property, banking and finance, and general corporate work. His expertise spans secured lending, syndicated and bilaterial finance, commercial property acquisitions and disposals, refinancing and restructuring, bespoke development finance structures and all commercial property agreements, as well as complex residential, sectional title and commercial conveyancing matters.

Maboko has an LLB (cum laude) from Unisa. Before entering the legal profession, he completed qualifications in medical, surgical, emergency, community and psychiatric nursing, and worked as a registered nurse at several hospitals in and around Johannesburg.

Head of Bowmans Commercial Property Practice, Samantha Saffy, concludes: ‘Our Commercial Property Practice is enjoying good growth in the legal services market. To sustain this momentum, we are making sure we have the resources to maintain Bowmans’ standards of excellence, and I can’t think of anyone better to fill this role than Ernest.’