Legal Counsel – Admitted Attorney (Civil Litigation)

Admitted Attorney for Junior In-house Counsel (3–5 Years PQE)

Department

Legal Department

Reports To

Head of Legal

Location

Sandton, South Africa

Employment Type

6 (six) months’ probation

Permanent, Full-Time

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Admitted Attorney with 3–5 years of post-admission experience in civil litigation to join our in-house legal team. The successful candidate will assist, and work with, the Head of Legal in managing the Company’s litigation portfolio, provide legal advice, draft legal documents, negotiate legal contracts and assist in achieving favourable outcomes for the Company, whilst maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.

The role requires strong legal research and drafting skills, together with a sound understanding of South African civil procedure and commercial law principles.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Litigation Management

• Manage and oversee the company’s litigation and dispute resolution portfolio.
• Assess legal risks associated with disputes and provide practical recommendations to management.
• Develop litigation strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor and manage all active litigation matters, including court proceedings, arbitrations, mediations, and regulatory disputes.
• Coordinate and oversee external attorneys, advocates, and other legal service providers.
• Review legal pleadings, affidavits, opinions, and court documents prepared by external counsel.
• Attend consultations, settlement discussions, mediations, and court-related meetings where necessary.
• Maintain accurate litigation records and reporting systems.
• Provide regular updates to management regarding litigation exposure, developments, and outcomes.

Prepare, review, and settle:

• Various court documentation, including (but not limited to), summons, notice of motion, affidavits, and various notices.
• Legal opinions and memoranda, including settlement agreements, acknowledgement of debts and such.
• Draft legal agreements such as service level agreements, non-disclosure agreements, shareholder agreements and such.

Legal Research and Advisory Services

• Conduct comprehensive legal research as and when required.
• Analyse legislation, regulations, case law and legal developments.
• Prepare written legal opinions and advice as and when requested by management.
• Stay informed regarding developments in South African procedural and substantive law.

Regulatory Compliance and Governance

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting the Company.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation and industry regulations.
• Assist with the development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.
• Support corporate governance initiatives.
• Assist with regulatory investigations, complaints, and enforcement actions where applicable.

Risk Management

• Identify legal risks affecting the Company and develop mitigation strategies.
• Provide proactive legal guidance to minimise exposure to litigation and claims.
• Assist in the development of enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Support internal investigations and legal audits.
• Advise on reputational, operational, and legal risks.

Minimum Qualifications

Essential

• LLB degree from a recognised South African university.
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (non-practising roll).
• 3–5 years post-admission experience in civil litigation at a reputable law firm in South Africa.

Working Conditions

• Office-based in Sandton.
• Regular attendance at courts, mediations, arbitrations, and client meetings.
• Occasional travel within South Africa.
• Ability to work extended hours when litigation deadlines require.

Remuneration

The remuneration will be in the rage of between R35,000.00 to R45,000.00.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to outline the primary responsibilities and requirements of the position. The duties listed are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may be required to perform additional tasks reasonably associated with the role and the needs of the practice.

LEGAL COUNSEL – LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW (SOUTH AFRICA)

Admitted Attorney for Junior In-house Counsel for Labour and Employment related matters (3–5 Years PQE)

Department

Legal Department

Reports To

Head of Legal

Location

Sandton, South Africa

Employment Type

Permanent, Full-Time

Position Summary

The In-House Counsel for Labour and Employment Law is responsible for providing expert legal advice and support on all labour and employment-related matters affecting the Company. The incumbent will advise management and Human Resources on labour law compliance, employee relations, disciplinary processes, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, litigation, and employment-related risk management.

The role requires an admitted attorney (on the non-practicing roll) with strong labour law experience, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to provide commercially and operationally sound legal solutions in a complex employment environment.

Key Purpose of the Role

To ensure that the organisation complies with all applicable labour and employment legislation, effectively manages employment-related legal risks, and receives proactive legal support on workforce and employee relations matters.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Labour Law Advisory

• Provide legal advice and guidance on all labour and employment law matters.
• Advise management, Human Resources, and business units on employment-related legal risks and obligations.
• Interpret and apply labour legislation, collective agreements, bargaining council agreements, policies, and employment contracts.
• Provide practical and commercially sound legal solutions to workplace issues.
• Monitor legal developments and communicate changes impacting the organisation.

Employee Relations and Workplace Disputes

• Advise on disciplinary processes, misconduct investigations, incapacity proceedings, poor performance matters, grievances, and workplace disputes.
• Review disciplinary charges, investigation reports, findings, and recommendations.
• Guide managers and Human Resources on procedural and substantive fairness requirements.
• Assist with complex employee relations matters and workplace conflict resolution.
• Advise on workplace misconduct, fraud, harassment, discrimination, and whistleblowing matters.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Manage labour disputes referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), bargaining councils, Labour Court, and Labour Appeal Court.
• Represent the organisation where authorised and legally permissible.
• Instruct and manage external attorneys and advocates.
• Review legal pleadings, affidavits, heads of argument, and settlement agreements.
• Develop litigation strategies and dispute resolution plans.
• Prepare witnesses and management representatives for hearings and litigation proceedings.
• Monitor and report on litigation risks and outcomes.

Employment Contracts and Policies

• Draft, review, and update various employment and labour related contracts, including employment contracts; fixed-term contracts; restraint of trade agreements; settlement agreements, workplace policies and procedures.
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Codes of conduct and ethics.
• Ensure that employment documentation remains legally compliant and aligned with business requirements.

Organisational Restructuring and Workforce Management

• Advise on retrenchments and restructuring processes.
• Provide legal support for operational requirements consultations in terms of applicable legislation.
• Advise on business transfers and related employment implications.
• Support workforce optimisation initiatives while ensuring legal compliance.
• Assist with mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring projects from an employment law perspective.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable labour and employment legislation.
• Conduct legal compliance assessments and audits.
• Identify employment-related legal risks and recommend mitigation measures.
• Assist with regulatory inspections and investigations.
• Support governance and compliance initiatives across the organisation.

Minimum Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised South African university.
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (non-practising roll).
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ post-admission experience specialising in labour and employment law.
• Demonstrated experience handling labour disputes and employment-related legal matters.

Advantageous

• Postgraduate qualification in Labour Law, Employment Law, Industrial Relations, Human Resources, or related field.
• Accreditation as a mediator (advantageous).

Experience Requirements

The successful candidate should demonstrate experience in:

• Labour and employment law advisory work.
• CCMA and bargaining council dispute resolution.
• Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court litigation.
• Disciplinary and incapacity processes.
• Collective bargaining and trade union engagement.
• Retrenchment and restructuring processes.
• Employment contract drafting and review.
• Workplace investigations.
• Employment-related compliance and risk management.

Knowledge Requirements

Extensive knowledge of various legislation within the Labour and employment law fields, including workplace investigations, disciplinary processes and alternative dispute mechanisms.

Working Conditions

• Office-based in Sandton.
• Regular attendance at courts, mediations, arbitrations, and client meetings.
• Occasional travel within South Africa.
• Ability to work extended hours when litigation deadlines require.

Remuneration

The remuneration will be in the rage of between R35,000.00 to R45,000.00.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to outline the primary responsibilities and requirements of the position. The duties listed are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may be required to perform additional tasks reasonably associated with the role and the needs of the practice.