Remote Senior Legal Counsel - Technology & IP

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Retirement fund contribution

Home office allowance

Connectivity allowance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is hiring a Senior Legal Counsel for a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will provide strategic legal guidance on technology, IP, data privacy, and commercial contracts, collaborating with global engineering, product, and business teams.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years PQE as an admitted SA attorney with strong technology/IP and contract negotiation experience, and can operate effectively in a remote, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with 6+ years PQE, focus on technology/IP.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex technology-related agreements.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, fast-paced global environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on technology law, including software licensing, SaaS, and cloud contracts.
• Manage and protect the company's IP portfolio (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets).
• Draft, review and negotiate complex technology-related commercial agreements.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy laws (POPIA, GDPR) across operations.
• Advise on IP licensing, infringement issues, and IP litigation strategy.
• Support product development teams by identifying and mitigating legal risks in new technologies.
• Conduct legal research and monitor regulatory developments in the tech sector.
• Manage external counsel and service providers as needed.

Skills

Technology law

IP law

Data privacy

Commercial contracts

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing global technology firm, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Legal Counsel to join their expanding legal team. This role is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. The primary focus will be on providing expert legal guidance on technology, intellectual property (IP), data privacy, and commercial contracts. You will play a critical role in advising on cutting-edge technology projects, safeguarding the company's intellectual property portfolio, and ensuring compliance with evolving data protection regulations. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced legal professional looking to make a significant impact in a dynamic, innovative, and remote-first work environment. You will collaborate closely with engineering, product, and business teams worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on all aspects of technology law, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, and cloud computing.
• Manage and protect the company's intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements, with a focus on technology-related contracts and partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy laws and regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR) across all business operations.
• Advise on IP licensing, infringement issues, and IP litigation strategy.
• Support product development teams by identifying and mitigating legal risks associated with new technologies and features.
• Conduct legal research and stay current with legal developments impacting the technology sector.
• Manage external counsel and other service providers as needed.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 6 years' post-qualification experience, with a strong emphasis on technology law, IP, and commercial contracts.
• Demonstrated expertise in IP law, including prosecution and enforcement, and experience with data privacy regulations.
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating complex technology-related agreements.
• Ability to work independently and manage a demanding workload in a remote setting.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience within a technology company or a law firm with a dedicated technology/IP practice is highly desirable.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to provide practical, commercially sound legal advice.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, global, and remote-first environment.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience and the demands of a remote leadership position.
• including excellent private health insurance
• a generous contribution to a retirement fund
• allowances for home office setup and connectivity
• You will have access to continuous professional development opportunities
• the chance to work on truly innovative projects from the comfort of your home office
• Embrace a flexible and independent work style while being an integral part of a global, forward-thinking legal team
• We value work-life balance and offer the ultimate in remote working flexibility.