Advisory Board Member: Jessica Blumenthal

Jessica Blumenthal is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a practising Executive at ENS in the Banking and Finance department where she specialises in ESG and sustainable finance, debt and preference share finance, structured finance, restructuring, financial services regulation and alternative investment strategies. Jessica’s formal qualifications include a BA Degree (English) and an LLB (Cum Laude), both from the University of Cape Town, as well as a Certificate in Sustainable Finance (University of Cambridge: Institute for Sustainability Leadership).

Jessica has developed deep expertise in fund formation and regulatory advisory work for private equity, venture capital and other alternative investment funds and as part of this practice area Jessica advises impact funders, start-ups and fintech clients in respect of appropriate funding instruments.

Jessica represents institutional clients both in South Africa and internationally, including banks, asset managers, funds and insurers and is considered a trusted advisor to corporate clients, high net worth individuals and family offices. Her experience includes designing and negotiating funding and security structures, undertaking solvent and distressed restructuring, establishing alternative investment structures (such as hedge funds, offshore unlisted funds and private equity funds) and providing regulatory advice in relation to South African financial services legislation and the South African regulatory environment, particularly in relation to financial services, collective investment schemes, investment management and company law.

Jessica is a member of the Sustainability and Impact practice at ENS and has presented on ESG and sustainability to financial services sector clients, advised banks and asset managers on policy and strategy adoption, advised financial institutions on their internal processes to ensure ESG considerations are embedded in the investment process and represented both borrowers and lenders in sustainable finance transactions, including green, social and sustainability linked loans and facilities.

Jessica is also a regular legal commentator and speaker, having presented widely on sustainability and financial services regulation to audiences in Africa and the United Kingdom. She serves on the Africa board and Global board of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers and has been recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by:

• The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 (Key Lawyer), 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 – Banking and Finance; 2025 (Key Lawyer) Investment Funds (South Africa)
• Best Lawyers® 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 – Banking and Finance, Structured Finance (South Africa) 
• Chambers Global Guide 2025, 2024 – Banking (South Africa) 
• IFLR1000 Banking and Finance: 2024 (South Africa).

Jessica and Lauren Kohn gradated from UCT Law with their LLBs in the same class and year (2006) and have remained in touch since then, both committed to professional excellence and the joys and juggle of motherhood.