Commercial Attorney

Accountancy Placements; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A legal recruitment firm is seeking a Commercial Attorney in Pretoria to act as the principal legal advisor to the CEO and Board. The role involves building the in-house legal function and managing external counsel, as well as drafting and overseeing complex commercial agreements. Candidates should have an LLB or equivalent qualification, admission as an Attorney, and over 5 years of post-qualification experience in commercial or corporate law. This position offers a hybrid work model and a dynamic growth environment.

Qualifications

• LLB or equivalent legal qualification.
• Admission as an Attorney.
• 5+ years’ post-qualification experience in commercial, corporate, or technology law.

Responsibilities

• Act as principal legal advisor to CEO and Board.
• Build and scale the in-house legal function.
• Draft and oversee complex commercial agreements.
• Manage corporate governance and statutory compliance.

Job description

Commercial Attorney - Pretoria (Hybrid) Accountancy Placements•Gauteng

Responsibilities

• Act as principal legal advisor to CEO, executive team, and Board
• Build and scale the in-house legal function; manage external counsel
• Draft, negotiate, and oversee complex commercial agreements (AI licensing, strategic partnerships, reseller/channel agreements, international contracts)
• Manage corporate governance, board processes, shareholder matters, and statutory compliance
• Lead legal due diligence for investors, partners, and acquisitions
• Oversee legal strategy for AI, technology, IP, and data compliance (POPIA, GDPR, or equivalents)
• Advise on AI governance, ethical frameworks, and emerging regulation
• Partner with product and engineering teams to embed compliance in product development
• Advise finance on revenue recognition, contract structuring, pricing, and financial risk
• Review financial statements, budgets, and forecasts from a legal/risk perspective
• Support audits, tax structuring, and regulatory reporting
• Develop policies, contract playbooks, and approval frameworks
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and commercial risk

Requirements

• LLB or equivalent legal qualification
• Admission as an Attorney
• Strong financial or accounting exposure (Advantageous)
• 5+ years’ post-qualification experience in commercial, corporate, or technology law
• Proven experience advising boards, executives, and investors, ideally in high-growth environments

Due to the high volume of applications received, only suitable candidates who meet the criteria of this vacancy will be contacted.