Christoff Pienaar to head CDH’s award-winning Technology and Sourcing practice

The five-partner Technology and Sourcing practice is one of the few practices in the country with a full suite of deep specialist knowledge in the area of technology procurement, communications, e-commerce, fintech, data protection and outsourcing. The practice is widely known for its depth of expertise and ability to deliver pragmatic, practical and business focussed advice to its clients. The practice is ranked in international directories, including having maintained a Band 1 rating in Chambers Global for the past seven years.

Christoff joined CDH in April 2015 and has earned his reputation both locally and abroad with advising on technology transactions, specialising in IT, IP and commercial matters. Christoff returned to South Africa in 2012 after spending eight years in the United Kingdom. He is dual-qualified (South Africa and England and Wales) and prior to returning to South Africa, was a partner at London law firm, Wedlake Bell LLP. His dual qualifications and cross-border experience (in both Europe and Africa) are of substantial value to our clients and he has the ability, especially on large outsourcing and multi-sourcing arrangements, to offer a global best practice perspective. Christoff was also named the winner of the 2017 Client Choice International Award for the IT and Internet category for South Africa.

He takes over from Preeta Bhagattjee, who has headed the practice for almost ten years and has played a significant role in taking the practice from strength to strength and growing its impressive client base. Preeta is one of the foremost specialists in the local market in technology and outsourcing law with almost twenty years of experience practising in this highly specialised and niche legal field. She has, for the last seven years, maintained the highest ranking in Chambers Global in her area of expertise (Band 1: IT & Telecommunications) and has also been listed in Best Lawyers International for Outsourcing during this time period. Preeta counts many large local and global companies as her clients, particularly in the financial services and IT sectors and advises clients on high-profile, high-risk technology and outsourcing projects as well as on cutting edge technology product and service innovations. 

She has decided to change her role for a period of time to focus on her family responsibilities but will continue to remain an active member of the technology and sourcing practice during this time. She will continue her own practice on a more flexible basis and will focus on doing what she loves most – working on technology and outsourcing projects. She has a deep passion for this area of the law and will continue to bring her in-depth skills, knowledge and experience to bear on all of the work that the practice continues to do.