Legal Counsel - Mergers & Acquisitions

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical coverage

Retirement fund contribution

Generous annual leave

Professional development & mentorship

Exposure to high-profile transactions

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting on behalf of a leading international investment firm for a seasoned Legal Counsel specializing in M&A based in Cape Town. The role focuses on complex deal execution from inception through post‑completion integration within a fast-paced, deal‑driven environment.

You will draft and negotiate SPAs/APAs, perform thorough due diligence, advise on structuring and regulatory approvals, and liaise with external counsel and advisors.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 7 years of relevant M&A experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex cross-border M&A transactions.
• Strong understanding of corporate law, company secretarial practices, and securities regulations.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a deal team under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute end-to-end M&A transactions, including due diligence, negotiation, and closing.
• Advise on legal aspects of deal structuring, financing, and regulatory approvals.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transaction agreements, including SPAs and APAs.
• Conduct comprehensive legal due diligence on target companies, identifying and assessing risks.
• Liaise with external legal counsel, financial advisors, and stakeholders throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with South African and international M&A regulations.
• Provide ongoing legal support to portfolio companies post-acquisition.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with business development teams and senior management.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments impacting M&A activities.
• Assist in the preparation of board resolutions and shareholder communications.

Skills

Admitted Attorney

M&A experience

Cross-border M&A

Corporate law

Securities regulations

Drafting agreements

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Commercial awareness

Strategic thinking

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading international investment firm with a significant presence in Cape Town, Western Cape , is looking to hire a dedicated and astute Legal Counsel specializing in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). This role is crucial for supporting the firm's strategic growth initiatives through complex transaction execution. The successful candidate will be instrumental in navigating the intricate legal landscape of M&A activities, providing expert advice from deal inception through to post-completion integration. This is a demanding yet highly rewarding position based in the vibrant city of Cape Town , offering unparalleled exposure to high-value international deals. The role requires a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment and possesses a deep understanding of corporate finance and securities law.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and execute end-to-end M&A transactions, including due diligence, negotiation, and closing.
• Advise on legal aspects of deal structuring, financing, and regulatory approvals.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transaction agreements, including Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs) and Asset Purchase Agreements (APAs).
• Conduct comprehensive legal due diligence on target companies, identifying and assessing risks.
• Liaise with external legal counsel, financial advisors, and other stakeholders throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant South African and international M&A regulations.
• Provide ongoing legal support and advice to portfolio companies post-acquisition.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with business development teams and senior management.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments impacting M&A activities.
• Assist in the preparation of board resolutions and shareholder communications related to transactions.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 7 years of relevant M&A experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex cross-border M&A transactions.
• Strong understanding of corporate law, company secretarial practices, and securities regulations.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a deal team under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of other relevant languages is a plus.
• Proven ability to manage risk effectively.
• Experience in private equity or venture capital environments is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client provides a highly competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a substantial annual bonus.
• Premium medical coverage, a generous retirement fund contribution, and substantial annual leave.
• The role is office-based in Cape Town , offering employees the opportunity to work within a leading financial institution.
• Continuous professional development, mentorship programs, and exposure to challenging, high-profile transactions are key components of this role.
• The firm values a collaborative and results-oriented culture.