For more than 25 years Zaeem has sat at the strategic point where energy infrastructure, board-level governance and complex dispute work converge. As former Managing Partner of Dentons South Africa and Group Assistant General Counsel at BP plc in London, he led global legal teams and managed billion-dollar projects across six continents.

That first-hand operational insight shapes the counsel he delivers at Fairbridges Wertheim Becker:

• Commercial clarity – contracts are drafted to survive real-world strains, from volatile commodity prices to shifting regulatory regimes.
• Regulatory foresight – early-warning horizon-scanning helps clients spot sanctions, competition or ESG risks long before they crystallise.
• Dispute containment – litigation or investigations are mapped to business-continuity goals so management can keep trading while issues are resolved.
• Long-term partnership – by embedding with in-house teams (sometimes as de-facto GC), Zaeem builds institutional knowledge that reduces external spend over time while sharpening strategic execution.

The result: a trusted adviser who blends board-room diplomacy with trench-level execution, giving clients the confidence to invest, expand and innovate.

Sector Focus

• Energy & Utilities – PPP’s, PPA’s, upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas and renewables M&A
• Infrastructure & Transport – EPCM’s, aviation, pipelines, port and rail concessions
• Commercial & Industrial – market entries, restructures, health and safety, AML/ABC, sanctions and governance programmes
• FMCG & Retail – supply-chain optimisation, distribution agreements, brand partnerships

Signature Matters

• Counsel to South Africa’s National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) on urgent electricity-market reforms.
• Lead external adviser to PetroSA on strategic gas-to-liquids joint venture covering production, supply and logistics.
• General Counsel to a US $15 billion global business division of BP plc, overseeing legal, compliance and corporate-secretariat functions on six continents.
• Guided a US $400 million multi-country divestment of downstream petroleum assets for a multinational energy major.
• Secured dismissal of a seven-year industry-wide complaint before the Competition Commission, averting significant penalties for the client.
• Counsel to senior counsel barrister in landmark company law case against a listed company overturning her removal as director
• Secured release from local regulator in favour of local and foreign stakeholders of ZAR132m in funds blocked and at risk of permanent forfeiture to the state.

Leadership & Board Roles

• Lead Independent Director – Western Province Cricket Association
• Deputy Chair – National Sea Rescue Institute
• Former Chair – BP Mozambique and director of multiple BP affiliates

Recognition

• Lawyer of the Year 2025 – Corporate Governance & Compliance, Best Lawyers South Africa
• Arbitration Practitioner – Africa Powerlist 2021, The Legal 500
• Regulatory & Compliance Investigations Capability – Top 100, Global Investigations Review 2021

Qualifications & Admissions

• BA LLB, University of Cape Town
• Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (Right of Appearance)