Job Description

Key Responsibilities
Commercial Law Focus
Contract Law & Drafting
Draft, review, and negotiate a range of commercial agreements, including:
Supply, procurement, and distribution contracts
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
NDAs and IP licensing agreements
Maintain contract lifecycles and oversee legal document management.
Corporate & Business Law
Advise on company structures, governance, and shareholder relations.
Lead legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and funding transactions.
Prepare shareholder agreements and corporate resolutions.
Deal Structuring & Negotiation
Partner with commercial teams to negotiate contracts aligned with legal and business objectives.
Provide strategic input on procurement and partnership arrangements.
Risk Management & Compliance
Identify and mitigate legal risks while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulatory standards.
Advise on anti-bribery laws, competition law, consumer protection, and ESG frameworks.
Technology & Data Privacy
Guide compliance with data protection laws (POPIA, GDPR, etc.).
Draft and review SaaS agreements, software licenses, and IT service contracts.
Cross-Border Transactions
Provide legal counsel on international trade, jurisdictional risks, and enforcement strategies.
Criminal Law Focus
Represent clients in criminal court proceedings where required.
Prepare and manage case files, legal arguments, and submissions for both trial and pre-trial proceedings.
Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to provide sound legal advice on criminal matters affecting the institution or its clients.
Ensure adherence to procedural laws and maintain ethical standards in legal representation.
General Advisory & Research
Conduct thorough legal research and analysis.
Draft clear legal opinions, strategy memos, and risk briefings for executive leadership.
Stay current with legislative changes affecting both commercial and criminal law practices.
Qualifications & Experience
Education:
LL.B. or equivalent legal degree
Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa (in good standing)
Experience:
58 years post-admission experience in both commercial and criminal law
Proven litigation experience in criminal matters
Strong exposure to commercial law in an in-house or reputable law firm setting
Technical Competencies
Strong drafting and negotiation skills for complex commercial agreements
Deep knowledge of corporate governance, M&A, and regulatory compliance
Litigation experience and familiarity with criminal procedures and court processes
Proficiency in legal research and opinion writing