Senior Legal Advisor

Sanlam Limited; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group in Bellville is seeking a Senior Legal Advisor for its Dispute Resolution Unit. The successful candidate will represent the unit, manage litigation matters, and provide legal advice across various business areas. Applicants must possess an LLB degree, be an admitted attorney or advocate, and have at least 7 years of litigation experience. The role involves mentoring junior advisors and ensuring effective dispute resolution strategies. Competitive career development opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years litigation experience including court appearances.
• Ability to analyse, negotiate, and resolve disputes effectively.
• Mentoring skills for training junior legal advisors.

Responsibilities

• Represent Sanlam’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Unit.
• Review and draft legal documents including legal notices.
• Provide up-to-date and practical legal advice to various businesses.
• Facilitate involvement of external lawyers.
• Manage litigation matters efficiently.

Skills

Knowledge of legislation impacting Sanlam

Contract negotiating and drafting

Legal research and writing of legal opinions

Understanding of litigation and ADR processes

Experience in managing litigation matters

Education

LLB or higher law degree

Admitted attorney or advocate

Job description

Senior Legal Advisor: Dispute Resolution Unit: SLS: Legal Services: Job Grade: 13: Bellville(Re-run)

Date: 11 Sept 2025

Location: Bellville, Western Cape, ZA

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

What will you do?

Core Tasks:

• Represent Sanlam’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Unit at required internal and external stakeholder engagements.
• Review and draft legal documents (among others: particulars of claims, legal notices etc).
• Provide various business with on time, up to date understandable, practical and relevant legal advice.
• Analyse disputes; consider, negotiate, implement and manage appropriate solutions.
• Facilitate the involvement of external lawyers.
• Mentor and train other legal advisors
• Consider practical and cost-effective dispute resolution alternatives.
• Research, prepare and draft opinions when required.
• Manage litigation matters.

What will make you successful in this role?

Role Requirements:

Qualifications:

• LLB or higher law degree
• Admitted attorney or advocate

Experience:

• At least 7 years’ litigation experience (court appearances and alternative dispute resolution ADR)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good knowledge of legislation impacting Sanlam, including the FSRA, Insurance Act and Prudential Standards, Retirement funds legislation, FAIS Act and Code of Conduct.
• Good knowledge and understanding of contract negotiating and drafting.
• Sound knowledge of legal research and writing of legal opinions.
• Analysis of and determining business impact of regulatory developments.
• Good knowledge of litigation and ADR processes.
• Drafting of pleadings and notices
• Knowledge of the Financial Services industry
• Understanding of commercial contracts
• Experience in managing litigation matters

Personal Attributes

Business insight - Contributing through others

Builds networks - Contributing through others

Manages complexity - Contributing through others

Persuades - Contributing through others

Core Competencies

Being resilient - Contributing through others

Collaborates - Contributing through others

Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others

Customer focus - Contributing through others

Drives results - Contributing through others

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Closing date: 26 January 2026

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.