Associate | Employment

ENS; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

ENS in Johannesburg invites applications for an Associate in the Employment department. The role involves both litigation and advisory work, with close client engagement and opportunities to develop excellent drafting and advocacy skills.

The candidate should be an admitted SA attorney with 1–2 years post articles in employment law, capable of working under pressure and willing to travel as required. ENS offers a dynamic workplace and a commitment to transformation.

Qualifications

• An admitted SA attorney with at least 1–2 years post articles in employment law.
• Strong academic record and passion for employment law.
• Knowledge of civil litigation procedures.
• Willing to travel as required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Drafting court documents and general correspondence.
• Researching law and providing opinions.
• Consulting with clients and counsel.
• Appearances at Labour Court and CCMA.
• Managing files and client relations.
• Assisting with practice management and fee recovery.
• Liaising with opposing attorneys.
• Developing litigation and drafting skills.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

Strong communication skills

Analytical thinking

Team player

Willingness to travel

Quality-focused

Education

LLB degree

Admitted SA Attorney

Job description

An Associate role has become available in the Employment department at the Johannesburg offices of ENS.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading employment law team offering a dynamic work environment and exposure to diverse matters and clients. In addition to having a keen interest in employment law, the ideal candidate should be achievement oriented, focused, able to work independently and under pressure in a deadline driven environment, without compromising work quality or standards.

OVERVIEW

The work involves all aspects of employment law, both litigious and consulting/advisory. The successful candidate will be expected to assume responsibility for working closely with clients as well as managing elements of various matters. As such, this role will offer the candidate an opportunity to develop excellent litigation and commercial drafting skills.

The candidate must be hard-working, have good interpersonal skills, and be able to exercise sound judgement as required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drafting various documents including inter alia: pleadings, affidavits, agreements and general correspondence
• Researching law and furnishing legal opinions
• Attending consultations with clients and counsel
• Attending to appearances at the Labour Court and CCMA
• Attending to all aspects of proceedings, including collating evidence and witness consultations
• General practice management including inter alia: managing files and attending to the recovery of fees
• Liaising with opposing attorneys
• Building and maintaining relationships (both internally and externally) with clients / potential new clients

SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate should be an attorney admitted to practise in South Africa, with a strong academic record. In addition thereto, the candidate should also possess the following:

• A thorough knowledge of collective and individual employment law, with at least 1-2 years post articles experience in an employment law department
• A passion for employment law
• A thorough knowledge of the procedural requirements of civil litigation and practice
• A willingness to travel for periods of time
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Strong analytical skills
• The ability to self-regulate and work as a member of a team
• The ability to consistently produce high-quality work

It is also essential that the candidate demonstrates the ability to understand the needs of clients and to communicate effectively with them, as well as to manage client relations and practice management, in general.

This is a demanding but stimulating position which will require working outside normal office hours, when necessary.

ENS is committed to transformation and achieving equity in its workplaces. Placement of a suitably qualified and skilled candidate will therefore be made in line with our Employment Equity objectives.