Senior Associate

Cecilegroup; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Job summary

Cecilegroup is seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join a specialist litigation team handling high-impact matters, including public interest litigation, human rights law and class actions. The role focuses on leading litigation teams, managing procedures, and developing strategic approaches to complex cases.

The ideal candidate will have significant post-admission experience, strong drafting and research skills, and the ability to coordinate large teams across multi-stakeholder matters

Qualifications

• LLB degree and admission as an Attorney of the High Court of SA are required.
• Significant post-admission litigation experience with ability to independently manage complex matters.
• Experience in class action, civil procedure, and high-stakes litigation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex civil litigation matters, including class actions and public interest litigation.
• Develop litigation strategies for high-profile and technically demanding cases.
• Manage pleadings, affidavits, applications and other court documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Litigation management

Legal drafting

Legal research

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Team leadership

Education

LLB degree

Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Job description

Senior Associate

Based in: Parktown, JHB

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Senior Associate to join a specialist litigation team working on complex, high-impact matters involving public interest litigation, human rights law and class actions.

This role is suited to a highly capable litigator who enjoys tackling challenging legal questions, navigating complicated civil procedure and managing sophisticated litigation involving multiple stakeholders, expert witnesses and large legal teams.

The successful candidate will play a key role in leading and developing a growing team, contributing to significant litigation matters and helping shape the future direction of the practice. There is also potential for the right individual to progress towards directorship within the firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex civil litigation matters, including class actions and public interest litigation.
• Develop litigation strategies for high-profile and technically demanding cases.
• Manage complicated civil procedure, pleadings, affidavits, applications and other court documentation.
• Oversee and mentor junior associates, candidate attorneys and other members of the litigation team.
• Coordinate large teams of counsel, expert witnesses, medical and scientific professionals, and other specialist stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with specialist paralegals and teams engaging with communities and clients across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
• Conduct in-depth legal research, analyse complex evidence and develop innovative legal arguments.
• Manage substantial volumes of digital documentation, electronic evidence and litigation data.
• Use technology, AI-assisted tools and advanced spreadsheet-based systems to support efficient litigation management and analysis.
• Take proactive responsibility for matters, contribute to strategic discussions and engage confidently with senior leadership.
• Contribute to the development of the firm's class actions, human rights and public interest litigation practice.
• Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Significant post-admission experience in litigation, with the ability to independently manage complex matters.
• Strong experience in complicated civil procedure and high-stakes litigation.
• Proven ability to lead litigation teams and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent legal drafting, research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage large volumes of documentation and competing deadlines.
• High proficiency in digital working environments and litigation technology.

Preferred Experience

The ideal candidate will have one or more of the following:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex civil litigation matters, including class actions and public interest litigation.
• Develop litigation strategies for high-profile and technically demanding cases.
• Manage complicated civil procedure, pleadings, affidavits, applications and other court documentation.
• Oversee and mentor junior associates, candidate attorneys and other members of the litigation team.
• Coordinate large teams of counsel, expert witnesses, medical and scientific professionals, and other specialist stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with specialist paralegals and teams engaging with communities and clients across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
• Conduct in-depth legal research, analyse complex evidence and develop innovative legal arguments.
• Manage substantial volumes of digital documentation, electronic evidence and litigation data.
• Use technology, AI-assisted tools and advanced spreadsheet-based systems to support efficient litigation management and analysis.
• Take proactive responsibility for matters, contribute to strategic discussions and engage confidently with senior leadership.
• Contribute to the development of the firm's class actions, human rights and public interest litigation practice.
• Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Significant post-admission experience in litigation, with the ability to independently manage complex matters.
• Strong experience in complicated civil procedure and high-stakes litigation.
• Proven ability to lead litigation teams and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent legal drafting, research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage large volumes of documentation and competing deadlines.
• High proficiency in digital working environments and litigation technology.

Minimum Requirements

• LLB degree.
• Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Significant post-admission experience in litigation, with the ability to independently manage complex matters.
• Strong experience in complicated civil procedure and high-stakes litigation.
• Proven ability to lead litigation teams and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent legal drafting, research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage large volumes of documentation and competing deadlines.
• High proficiency in digital working environments and litigation technology.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in class action litigation.
• Plaintiff-side litigation experience.
• Experience in complex delictual litigation, including matters involving major corporations or multinational organisations.
• Exposure to human rights law, constitutional litigation or public interest litigation.
• Experience in litigation involving medical, scientific or technical evidence.
• Experience working with expert witnesses and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

A background in medical or scientific disciplines, or previous exposure to litigation involving complex scientific or medical evidence, would be advantageous.

Application Requirements

• Motivational Cover Letter
• Updated CV
• Two Reference Letters
• Academic Transcripts
• Writing Sample

Start Date January 2027