Advocate

SUMMARY:

POSITION INFO:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Education:
• LL.B. or equivalent legal degree
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa (in good standing)
• Experience:
• 5–8 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

• 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