Senior Associate

Cecile Personnel (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Cecile Personnel (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg seeks an experienced litigation professional to lead and manage complex civil matters, including class actions and public interest work. You will craft strategies for high-profile cases and oversee procedural documents across large teams.

The role requires an LLB and court-admitted attorney status, with substantial post-admission litigation experience, leadership ability, and proficiency with digital litigation tools. Start date January 2027.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex civil litigation matters, including class actions.
• Develop litigation strategies for high-profile and technically demanding cases.
• Oversee civil procedure, pleadings, affidavits, applications and court documentation.
• Mentor junior associates, candidate attorneys and other team members.
• Coordinate large teams of counsel, experts, and other professionals.
• Collaborate with communities and clients across the SADC region.
• Utilize AI-assisted tools and litigation technology for efficient management.
• Engage with senior leadership and contribute to strategic discussions.
• Develop the firm's class actions, human rights and public interest litigation practice.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Project management

Legal drafting

Legal research

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

LLB degree

Tools

Litigation technology

AI-assisted tools

Electronic evidence systems

Job description

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.

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