Category: Rob Legh Tributes

I have just heard the very sad news about Rob’s passing.  The entire firm, and Rob’s loved ones are in my thoughts.  You have my sincere condolences.

You and your colleagues have been very much in my thoughts.  Do, please accept my heartfelt condolences on Rob Legh’s untimely passing.

I had the pleasure of meeting him, most recently at the Bowmans’ partners’ conference in 2019 and in various iterations both before and after that.  He was a great professional, great gentleman and hilarious host to boot, and I will hold memories of those interactions in high regard.  May he rest in perfect peace.

On behalf of LexisNexis South Africa, I extend our deepest sympathies to all at Bowmans on the untimely loss of Chairman and Senior Partner, Robert Legh.

We also pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Robert who are dealing with his loss at this difficult time.

We recently heard the tragic news of Robert Legh and on behalf of us all at Osborne Clarke send our deepest condolences to all our friends at Bowmans.

Clearly Robert made an enormous contribution to the firm and leaves a great legacy, not only to future generations of Bowmans’ lawyers, but also to the South African legal market.

Having worked with your firm on many occasions over many years now, we very much appreciate the excellent quality of service provided to our lawyers and clients, as well as the positive culture that is evident across the firm. Robert was no doubt instrumental in developing and maintaining these attributes and will undoubtedly be sorely missed.

We are sorry to have heard about the untimely passing of your Senior Partner and Chairman, Robert Legh on 1 July 2021 and express, on behalf of PwC, its partners and staff, our heartfelt condolences to your firm.

From the outside looking in, we could see Robert was a senior partner extraordinaire, and his service to the legal profession, commerce and, in fact, South Africa leaves a legacy that your firm can be immensely proud of. Our partners who knew Robert speak of him with high praise. His integrity, professionalism, intellect and approach put him a cut above the rest. We will remember Robert as a wealth of general knowledge and as someone widely admired and respected.

Robert’s impact on the professional services sector will be felt for many years to come – and whilst your firm will undoubtedly be in good hands, his legacy will live on. You have lost a world-class partner, leader and no doubt a friend.

Our hearts also go out to Kathryn, Tommy and India – the loss of a husband and father is immense and we wish them solace and comfort in this incredibly difficult time.

The South African legal and business community is poorer and we can but hope that your firm will continue to build on the platform laid by this great man. Our sincerest condolences to you and the Bowmans family.

We received the news of the passing of Rob with deep sorrow and regret. On behalf of both our teams at the Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal, we convey our deepest sympathies to the family of Rob Legh, our colleagues at Bowmans, and the entire community of Competition Law practitioners.

Rob was a towering figure in South African competition law, being one of the earliest practitioners in this field. It is hard to imagine a Bowmans without him, just like it is to imagine a high stakes competition case in South Africa without him. He will be remembered for his meticulous and passionate representation of his clients, who included blue-chip South African firms as well as international companies.

In litigation, he was a worthy but principled opponent. He also tactically and professionally guided his clients through some of the high profile enforcement cases, as well as ground-breaking merger remedies using all available legal instruments. He had an impeccable quality of knowing when to fight and when to negotiate. Even when on the weak side of an argument, Rob enjoyed the intellectual rigour and drama of our craft. His commitment to service his client was unmatched. You would find him at the coal face of client’s premises during a ‘Dawn Raid’, at the Commission’s boardrooms, and at the Tribunal or court hearings. He was a man of quiet and strategic action.

Rob played a big role in the 2019 amendments to the Competition Act, where he was a tough but objective negotiator, and very thoughtful in approach to the engagements. More than all of this, Rob was an absolute gentleman. He will surely be remembered as a calm, sharp and principled legal mind.

His passing has certainly left a void in the competition law fraternity as a whole.

To Rob’s family, although it is difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. We wish you strength, grace, and peace during this difficult time.

May His Soul Rest in Peace.