Overview
Senior Associate / Associate – Commercial Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Sports Advisory Jobs in Cape Town at BDP ATTORNEYS
BDP Attorneys | Cape Town (Remote considered upon motivation)
BDP Attorneys is seeking to appoint an Associate or Senior Associate to join its growing Sports Law Division, effective 1 July 2026.
While our practice has a strong focus on sport, the role extends well beyond traditional sports law. We act for clubs, federations, athletes, investors, commercial stakeholders and institutions in a broad range of dispute-driven, commercial and regulatory matters, both locally and internationally.
This role is ideally suited to a South African commercial litigator with strong oral advocacy skills, experience in adversarial proceedings, and a genuine interest in sport and the business of sport.
Key Areas of Work
The successful candidate will work across:
- commercial litigation and dispute resolution
- arbitration and tribunal proceedings
- contractual disputes
- labour and employment-related disputes
- regulatory and governance advisory
- drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements
- sports disciplinary and integrity matters
- strategic advisory work linked to clubs, federations and commercial stakeholders in sport
A core requirement of this role is strong oral advocacy.
The successful candidate should be comfortable representing clients in adversarial processes and able to confidently prepare for and appear in:
- arbitrations
- disciplinary hearings
- mediations
- internal tribunals
- regulatory proceedings
- contractual and labour disputes
This is a highly client-facing role requiring strategic thinking, strong preparation, and the ability to advance legal argument persuasively under pressure.
Candidate Profile
Essential
- Admitted attorney in South Africa
- 1–8 years post-admission experience
- Strong commercial litigation or dispute resolution background
- Excellent written drafting skills
- Experience appearing in adversarial proceedings
- Ability to run matters with relative independence
- Strong legal research and analytical ability
- Excellent client management and communication skills
Advantageous
- Experience in arbitration
- Experience in labour or regulatory disputes
- Commercial drafting / transactional experience
- Interest in sport, sports business, governance or athlete representation
Important
Prior sports law experience is not required.
We are more interested in finding an outstanding lawyer with:
- strong litigation instincts
- sound advocacy ability
- commercial awareness
- confidence in contentious processes
- and a genuine passion for sport and the broader commercial ecosystem around sport
Working Arrangement
Based in Cape Town.
Remote working will be considered for the right candidate where properly motivated.
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience in arbitration? How many years?
- Do you have experience in labour or regulatory disputes? How many years?
- Do you have an interest in sport, sports business, governance or athlete representation?
Education:
- Bachelors (Required)
Experience:
- Commercial litigation: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
Title: Senior Associate / Associate – Commercial Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Sports Advisory
Company: BDP ATTORNEYS
Location: Cape Town
