Charles Valkin was a South African attorney and corporate lawyer who spent much of his career as a partner at Bowman Gilfillan in Johannesburg. He was one of the most senior partners in the firm's corporate, commercial and financial services practice and was known for his work on mergers, acquisitions and financing transactions. He died in December 2023.
Background
Charles Valkin was born in 1934. His professional life unfolded in Johannesburg, a city that grew near the Witwatersrand, a ridge of gold-bearing rock discovered in 1886 that transformed the South African economy and drew legal, mining and financial business to the city.
He practised in a legal environment shaped by the country's commercial growth. The firm with which he became associated traced its origins to the early twentieth century, when its predecessor, Bowman Gilfillan Hayman Godfrey, was established in 1902.
Education
Valkin's education included study at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
The university was founded in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley and moved to Johannesburg in 1904, when it was renamed the Transvaal Technical Institute. After the Johannesburg and Pretoria campuses separated in 1910, the Johannesburg institution became the University College, Johannesburg, in 1920. It was granted full university status as the University of the Witwatersrand on 1 March 1922, and its engineering and mining origins remained part of its identity as it developed into a multidisciplinary institution.
Career
Valkin spent his career as a lawyer with Bowman Gilfillan, which was known under the name Bowman Gilfillan Hayman Godfrey Inc during his time as a partner. The predecessor firm had been established in 1902, and in 1998 it merged with Findlay & Tait, established in 1885, and John & Kernick, established in 1923, to form Bowman Gilfillan. The combined firm later operated as Bowmans and became headquartered in Johannesburg, where it is counted among the Big Five law firms in South Africa.
He was one of the senior partners in the firm's corporate, commercial and financial services practice, and he led that department for many years. He had extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and in financing transactions. He acted as lead lawyer on some of the largest transactions in which the firm advised as legal adviser.
In his later professional life he was also described as special counsel to the firm. The firm's alumni newsletter later described him as probably the longest-serving partner in the modern history of the firm.
Achievements
Acted as lead lawyer on some of the largest transactions in which Bowman Gilfillan advised as legal adviser, particularly in mergers and acquisitions and financing work.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Colleagues at the firm described him as a senior lawyer of exceptional standing whose advice was regarded as honest, wise and strategic. They recalled that he welcomed questions from younger lawyers and encouraged them to consult textbooks and law reports together with him.
Connections
Valkin was married to Denise. The couple had two sons, Jason and Aaron. His brother was Balfour, and his family is also described in a Bowmans tribute following his death in December 2023.
Wife:
Denise
Son:
Jason
Son:
Aaron
Brother:
Balfour
References
Timeless Ties, Celebrating Bowmans' alumni
A Bowmans alumni newsletter that records Valkin's death in December 2023 and pays tribute to his career as one of the firm's most senior corporate, commercial and financial services partners.
2024
Charles Valkin Bio - Wiki Mzansi
A biographical profile describing his role as the most senior partner in Bowman Gilfillan's corporate, commercial and financial services department and his experience in M&A and financing transactions.
