Junior Associate - Mergers & Acquisitions

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship and training

Fully remote work arrangement

Exposure to high-profile deals

Career progression opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Junior Associate for its Pretoria-based Mergers & Acquisitions team. You will work remotely within a busy corporate law group, assisting on due diligence, drafting term sheets and sale agreements, and supporting senior lawyers through closing.

The role emphasizes hands-on deal exposure, strong learning opportunities, and mentorship in a fast-paced environment in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Admitted attorney with 2–4 years PQE and interest in corporate law and M&A.
• Solid understanding of corporate law principles and M&A transaction structures.
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and in a remote team with strong time management.

Responsibilities

• Assist in due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures.
• Draft and review M&A documents including term sheets and sale agreements.
• Support senior lawyers in client communication and deal processes.
• Conduct legal research on M&A issues.
• Organize deal documentation and data rooms; contribute to negotiations under supervision.

Skills

Corporate law & M&A understanding

Legal research

Written communication

analytical skills

MS Office

Time management

Remote collaboration

Education

Admitted attorney (2-4 years PQE)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an ambitious and detail-oriented Junior Associate to join their busy Mergers & Acquisitions legal team in Pretoria . This role offers an exceptional opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in complex corporate transactions, working alongside seasoned M&A lawyers. You will be involved in all phases of the deal lifecycle, from initial due diligence and document drafting to transaction closing. The ideal candidate is eager to learn, possesses strong analytical skills, and is committed to delivering high-quality legal work in a fast‑paced environment. Join a team that values professional development and offers significant exposure to high-profile deals within the South African market, all while enjoying the flexibility of remote work from Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in conducting legal due diligence for potential acquisitions and divestitures.
• Draft and review M&A transaction documents, including term sheets, sale agreements, and disclosure schedules.
• Support senior lawyers in client communication and managing deal processes.
• Conduct legal research on specific issues relevant to M&A transactions.
• Organize and maintain deal-related documentation and data rooms.
• Contribute to the negotiation process under the guidance of senior counsel.

Requirements

• Admitted attorney with 2-4 years of post-qualification experience, with a demonstrated interest in corporate law and M&A.
• Solid understanding of corporate law principles and M&A transaction structures.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a remote team, demonstrating strong time management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary and benefits package.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering significant flexibility.
• Mentorship and training from experienced M&A practitioners.
• Exposure to significant and complex transactional work.
• Opportunities for career progression within the legal field in Pretoria .