Jeannette Safi

Jeannette Safi is a prominent legal professional currently serving as an Associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, a prestigious law firm known for its work in corporate law. She has a comprehensive background in corporate law, capital raising, and business strategy, with over 15 years of experience advising global companies on business formation and growth across various markets.

Education and Early Career

Born and raised in Lesotho, Jeannette Safi completed her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with honors from the University of Cape Town in 2006. She began her legal career at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she practiced for over a decade in their offices in New York, London, and Paris. During her tenure, she represented major financial institutions and corporations, leading numerous transactions that raised significant capital—over $10 billion in equity financing and more than $70 billion in debt funding.1

Current Role and Expertise

In her current role at Davis Polk, Jeannette focuses on corporate transactions and strategic advisory work. Her expertise includes public and private equity offerings, IPOs, spin-offs, and acquisition financings. Recently, she has expanded her practice to cover venture capital markets and is particularly interested in innovative funding mechanisms such as crypto-funding and blockchain regulatory frameworks.1

Leadership and Community Engagement

Beyond her legal practice, Jeannette is actively involved in community service. She serves as the Chair, President, and Assistant Treasurer of the UCT Fund Inc., where she focuses on philanthropic initiatives that address social exclusion and gender-based violence. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in her efforts to strengthen alumni engagement within the University of Cape Town community.1

Jeannette Safi's career exemplifies a blend of legal acumen and a dedication to social impact, making her a notable figure in both the legal field and her community engagements.