Legal Counsel - Technology & IP

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Remote; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel specializing in Technology and Intellectual Property to safeguard the company’s IP assets and guide technology contracts in a fully remote SA role.

You will work with engineering, product, and business teams to address patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection, while advising on licensing, data privacy, and market-entry strategies across a global footprint.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Minimum of 5–7 years post-qualification experience with a focus on technology law and IP.
• Strong understanding of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection.
• Experience with software licensing, SaaS agreements, and commercial technology contracts.
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations (POPIA, GDPR).

Responsibilities

• Protect and manage the company’s IP portfolio: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Draft, review, and negotiate technology-related agreements (software licenses, SaaS, development, NDAs, partnerships).
• Advise on IP strategy, patentability, freedom-to-operate, and IP monetization.
• Provide guidance on data privacy and security, ensuring POPIA compliance.
• Support product teams on new technologies, features, and market entry strategies.
• Manage IP-related disputes and IP due diligence in M&A.
• Deliver internal training on IP and technology law; monitor global developments.

Skills

IP law

Software licensing

SaaS agreements

Data privacy

Tech law

Negotiation

Drafting

Independent work

Business acumen

Education

Admitted Attorney (SA)

Job description

About the Role Our client, a pioneering technology company renowned for its innovative software solutions, is seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel specializing in Technology and Intellectual Property (IP). This role is central to safeguarding the company’s valuable IP assets and ensuring legal compliance in its product development and commercialization efforts. As a fully remote position, you will enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere in South Africa, collaborating virtually with engineering, product, and business teams to navigate complex legal challenges in the fast-paced tech industry. We are looking for a proactive and business-minded lawyer with a strong command of IP law, software licensing, and data privacy to support our client’s continued global expansion and technological advancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and protect the company's intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of technology-related agreements, such as software licenses, SaaS agreements, development agreements, NDAs, and partnership agreements.
• Advise on IP strategy, including patentability assessments, freedom-to-operate analyses, and IP monetization strategies.
• Provide legal guidance on data privacy and security matters, ensuring compliance with POPIA and other relevant regulations.
• Support product development teams by providing legal counsel on new technologies, features, and market entry strategies.
• Manage IP-related disputes, including infringement claims and opposition proceedings.
• Assist in M&A activities, including IP due diligence and integration.
• Develop and deliver training to internal teams on IP and technology law matters.
• Stay current with legal developments in technology, IP, and data protection globally.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of post-qualification experience, with a significant focus on technology law and intellectual property.
• Strong understanding of patent law, trademark law, copyright law, and trade secret protection.
• Experience with software licensing, SaaS agreements, and commercial technology contracts.
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR).
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fully remote setting.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to provide practical, commercially relevant legal advice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers exceptional work-life balance and the flexibility to work from any location. Our client provides a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, retirement contributions, and potential for performance-based bonuses. You will have opportunities for continuous learning and professional development in a rapidly evolving field. Join a dynamic and innovative company that values legal expertise and the benefits of a remote-first work environment. This role is crucial for supporting the company's growth and innovation from the tech hub surrounding Paarl.

• medical aid
• retirement contributions
• potential for performance-based bonuses