Lead Commercial Lawyer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Annual performance bonus

Home office/internet stipend

Generous paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Cutting-edge legal tech tools

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Commercial Lawyer for a fully remote role based anywhere in South Africa. You will draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, advise on legal risks, and ensure regulatory compliance in data privacy and IP matters.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years post-qualification experience in commercial and technology law, with strong negotiation skills and autonomous remote work capabilities.

Qualifications

• Admitted attorney of the High Court of SA.
• LL.B. or equivalent law degree.
• Minimum of 6 years post-qualification experience focusing on commercial and technology law.
• Proven drafting and negotiating experience with complex tech contracts.
• Strong understanding of data privacy laws (POPIA, GDPR) and IP rights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; autonomous remote work capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate SaaS agreements, MSAs, SOWs, partnership, and vendor contracts.
• Advise business teams on legal risks and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, GDPR, competition laws and other relevant regulations.
• Manage external counsel and cross‑functional collaboration in a remote setting.
• Develop standard contract templates and legal processes; protect IP and licensing.

Skills

Commercial contract drafting

Tech law

Data privacy (POPIA/GDPR)

Remote/autonomous work

Legal advisory to stakeholders

Education

LL.B. or equivalent

Admitted Attorney of SA High Court

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding technology services provider, is seeking a highly skilled Lead Commercial Lawyer to join their innovative team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts, service agreements, partnership deals, and other legal documents critical to the company's growth and operations. This role requires a strategic thinker with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of commercial law, intellectual property, and data privacy regulations. You will advise business stakeholders on legal risks and opportunities, ensuring compliance and protecting the company's interests. We are looking for a proactive and self‑motivated lawyer who thrives in a remote‑first environment and can manage complex legal projects independently. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in commercial law and a passion for technology. This role offers the flexibility of remote work combined with the challenge of contributing to a forward‑thinking company. Our client values collaboration and clear communication, essential for a distributed team. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact from your own home office. The successful candidate will be a trusted legal advisor, integral to the company's success.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of commercial contracts, including SaaS agreements, master service agreements (MSAs), statements of work (SOWs), partnership agreements, and vendor contracts.
• Advise business teams on legal implications of new products, services, and business strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, including POPIA, GDPR, and competition laws.
• Manage and resolve contractual disputes and claims.
• Develop and maintain standard contract templates and legal processes.
• Provide guidance on intellectual property protection and licensing.
• Conduct legal research on evolving legal landscapes impacting the technology sector.
• Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, including sales, product, and engineering, in a remote setting.
• Manage external legal counsel when necessary.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• LL.B. or equivalent law degree.
• Minimum of 6 years of post‑qualification experience, with a significant focus on commercial contract law and technology law.
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, particularly in the tech industry.
• Strong understanding of data privacy laws (e.g., POPIA, GDPR) and intellectual property rights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage priorities effectively in a remote work environment.
• Proficiency with legal technology tools and collaboration platforms.
• Experience advising on cross‑border transactions is an advantage.
• Resides within South Africa and possesses reliable internet connectivity.

Benefits

• A leading annual salary of R .
• Fully remote work arrangement.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Generous paid time off.
• Contribution towards home office setup and internet costs.
• Opportunities for professional development and specialized legal training.
• Access to cutting‑edge legal technology.
• Flexible working hours.
• Health and wellness benefits.
• The chance to be a key legal contributor to a growing tech company, working from Cape Town or any location in South Africa.