Legal Counsel - Mergers & Acquisitions

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Pension scheme

Paid time off

Professional development

Relocation assistance to Durban

Involvement in significant corporate事务

Collaborative legal team environment

Access to resources and tools

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a dynamic multinational in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal to hire a Legal Counsel specializing in M&A. You will lead and support all stages of transactions—from deal sourcing and due diligence to negotiation, execution, and post‑closing integration—with close collaboration across finance, BD, and senior leadership.

The ideal candidate holds a JD, is admitted as an SA Attorney, and has at least five years of M&A experience in law firms or in-house.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or equivalent law degree.
• Admission to practice as an Attorney in South Africa.
• Minimum of 5 years of M&A legal experience in either law firm or in-house.
• Proven experience managing complex M&A transactions end-to-end.
• Strong understanding of corporate and securities law and transaction structuring.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under pressure.
• Strong business judgment and practical, risk-aware advice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented with high accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal aspects of M&A transactions (acquisitions, divestitures, JVs, investments).
• Conduct and oversee due diligence processes, identify risks and provide recommendations.
• Draft, negotiate, and review M&A documents (term sheets, LOIs, SPAs, APAs).
• Advise on corporate structuring, financing, and regulatory approvals.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external counsel for seamless execution.
• Manage post-closing integration from a legal perspective.
• Stay current with M&A trends, market practices and regulatory developments.
• Provide legal support on general corporate matters as required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business partners and legal colleagues.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and company policies throughout M&A.

Skills

Drafting & Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

M&A experience

Corporate & Securities law

Education

JD or equivalent law degree

Admission to practice as SA Attorney

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic multinational corporation with significant operations in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel specializing in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) to join their in-house legal department. This critical role will provide legal expertise and support for all M&A activities, from deal sourcing and due diligence to negotiation, transaction execution, and post-closing integration. The successful candidate will work closely with the business development, finance, and executive teams to ensure the legal and commercial success of strategic transactions. This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated M&A lawyer to contribute to high-profile deals within a leading organization in the KwaZulu-Natal region. The position requires an on-site presence in Durban.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal aspects of M&A transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic investments.


• Conduct and oversee legal due diligence processes, identifying risks and providing strategic recommendations.


• Draft, negotiate, and review M&A transaction documents, including term sheets, letters of intent, share purchase agreements, and asset purchase agreements.


• Advise on corporate structuring, financing, and regulatory approvals related to M&A activities.


• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external counsel to ensure seamless transaction execution.


• Manage post-closing integration activities from a legal perspective.


• Stay current with M&A trends, market practices, and relevant legal and regulatory developments.


• Provide legal support on general corporate matters as required.


• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with business partners and legal colleagues.


• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and company policies throughout the M&A process.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree.


• Admission to practice law as an Attorney in South Africa.


• Minimum of 5 years of M&A legal experience, either in a law firm or in-house legal department, with a focus on transactional work.


• Proven experience managing complex M&A transactions from inception to completion.


• Strong understanding of corporate law, securities law, and transaction structuring.


• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under pressure.


• Strong business judgment and ability to provide practical, risk-aware advice.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.


• Experience working with cross-functional teams.


• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunities.


• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.


• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions.


• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.


• Opportunities for professional development and attendance at industry conferences.


• Relocation assistance for candidates relocating to Durban.


• Involvement in significant and impactful corporate transactions.


• Collaborative legal team environment within a leading company.


• Access to resources and tools necessary for success.