Attorney

Action Appointments Development Recruitment (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A public interest law organization in Cape Town is seeking to appoint an Attorney with at least three years’ experience. The ideal candidate will have strong litigation expertise and excellent legal research skills, with a focus on education rights and social justice. Proficiency in indigenous languages is highly desirable. The position involves providing legal support, attending court hearings, and engaging with the community on education-related matters.

Qualifications

• Must have at least three years’ post-admission experience.
• Strong legal research and drafting abilities are essential.
• Proficiency in indigenous South African languages is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and strategic support in public interest litigation.
• Conduct high-quality legal research and draft legal documents.
• Attend court hearings and represent EELC.
• Support the walk-in legal clinic and advise clients.
• Engage in community-based education initiatives.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research and drafting

Communication skills in English

Knowledge of human rights

Proficiency in indigenous South African languages

Education

Admitted Attorney in South Africa

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal research tools

Job description

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) is a Cape Town-based public interest law organisation and registered law clinic. Our team of social justice lawyers works to advance the right to equitable, safe, and quality basic education for all learners in South Africa. We pursue this through public interest litigation, legal research and advocacy, legislative engagement, and community lawyering. We are also committed to developing skilled, principled young attorneys in the field of education law and broader human rights practice.

About the Job

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) is looking to appoint an Attorney admitted in the High Court of South Africa, with a minimum of three years’ post-admission experience. The ideal candidate will have strong litigation experience, proven legal research and drafting abilities, and excellent communication skills in English. Knowledge of human rights and social justice, particularly in education or children’s rights, is highly advantageous, while proficiency in indigenous South African languages will be considered a strong asset.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal and strategic support in the development and management of public interest litigation cases;
• Conduct high-quality legal research and draft legal opinions and other court documents;
• Attend and represent EELC at court hearings, consultations and meetings with counsel, clients and partner organisations;
• Support EELC’s walk-in legal clinic by consulting with and advising clients on education-related matters;
• Preparation of statements based on client consultations;
• Assist with the drafting of submissions for law reform and legislative processes;
• Contribute to the production of legal and policy research reports, advocacy briefs, and publications;
• Engage in community-based education and empowerment initiatives;
• Represent EELC in civil society coalitions and public forums;
• Keep abreast of relevant legal developments as well as other developments that are relevant to the work of the EELC.
• Publish articles and opinion pieces.
• Liaise with the media, including conducting media interviews
• Contribute to the broader work and programmes of EELC as required.

Requirements

• Experience in High Court litigation. Knowledge and experience of human rights and social justice, particularly in education or children’s rights, advantageous;
• Must be an Admitted Attorney with at least three years’ post-admission experience
• Strong legal research, drafting, and analytical skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English;
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small, but mission-driven team;
• Competence in Microsoft Office and legal research tools;
• Proficiency in one or more indigenous South African languages is highly desirable.