Junior Legal Counsel - General Commercial

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangement

Mentorship and development

Medical aid contribution

Retirement fund contribution

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Junior Legal Counsel for a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will support the legal team with contract review, regulatory compliance, and legal research while handling documentation and template development.

The role suits an early-career lawyer eager to learn in a remote-first environment. The position requires admitted status in South Africa, strong drafting skills, and solid knowledge of commercial law.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney or Advocate in South Africa with 1-3 years post-qualification experience.
• Solid understanding of South African contract and commercial law.
• Demonstrated ability to draft basic legal documents and perform legal research.

Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and amending commercial contracts and other legal documents.
• Conduct legal research on corporate and commercial law issues.
• Support compliance with South African legislation and maintain records.
• Prepare legal correspondence and filings, and assist in dispute resolution under supervision.
• Develop legal templates and standard procedures; provide admin support to the legal team.

Skills

Legal drafting

Contract law knowledge

Legal research

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Admitted to practice in SA

Tools

MS Office

Legal research tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a growing industrial services firm based in Klerksdorp, North West, is seeking an ambitious Junior Legal Counsel to join their legal team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your legal expertise from anywhere in South Africa. The Junior Legal Counsel will provide essential support across a range of commercial and corporate legal matters, including contract review, regulatory compliance, and general legal research. We are looking for a motivated individual with a solid understanding of South African commercial law, excellent drafting skills, and a keen desire to learn and grow within a corporate legal environment. The remote-first nature of this role demands strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage tasks independently. This is an ideal opportunity for an early-career lawyer looking to gain broad experience in a supportive, remote-first organization. We foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the drafting, reviewing, and amending of commercial contracts and other legal documents.
• Conduct legal research on various issues related to corporate and commercial law.
• Support the legal team in ensuring compliance with relevant South African legislation.
• Help manage legal documentation and maintain accurate records.
• Assist in the preparation of legal correspondence and filings.
• Support dispute resolution processes under the guidance of senior counsel.
• Participate in the development of legal templates and standard procedures.
• Provide administrative support to the legal department.
• Respond to internal legal queries as directed.
• Contribute to the team's efforts in risk management and compliance initiatives.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney or Advocate with 1-3 years of post-qualification experience.
• Foundational knowledge of South African contract and commercial law.
• Demonstrated ability to draft basic legal documents.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Eagerness to learn and develop professionally.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and basic legal research tools.
• Must be admitted to practice in South Africa.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary up to R per annum.
• Fully remote working arrangement, offering significant flexibility.
• Mentorship and professional development opportunities provided.
• Contribution towards medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• A supportive and collaborative virtual team environment.
• Exposure to a wide spectrum of legal matters.
• Potential for career advancement within the firm.
• Access to online legal resources and training platforms.
• Regular performance reviews focused on growth.