Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial & Litigation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join a fully remote South Africa–based legal team. You will draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, oversee litigation and ADR, and provide strategic advice on risk, governance, and regulatory matters from your home office.

The role requires a LLB, SA admission, 8+ years in commercial law and civil litigation, and the ability to work autonomously while coordinating with internal stakeholders and external counsel to protect the

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate with a current practicing certificate.
• Minimum of 8 years post-qualification experience in commercial law and civil litigation.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Experience managing litigation from initiation through resolution.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Manage and direct litigation and ADR processes including arbitration and mediation.
• Provide strategic legal advice on operations, risk management and governance.
• Conduct legal research and prepare well-reasoned opinions.
• Advise on regulatory compliance matters relevant to operations.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to achieve business objectives.
• Manage relationships with external counsel for cost-effectiveness and quality.
• Assist in due diligence for potential mergers, acquisitions, and investments.
• Develop and implement legal policies and best practices.
• Ensure timely reporting on legal matters to senior management.

Skills

Commercial law

Civil litigation

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal research

Regulatory compliance

Strategic advisory

Education

LLB

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading diversified services group, is seeking a highly skilled and versatile Senior Legal Counsel to join their expanding legal team on a fully remote basis. This role requires a seasoned professional with robust experience in both commercial contract law and litigation management. You will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal support to various business units, drafting and negotiating complex agreements, and overseeing contentious matters to resolution. The ideal candidate will possess excellent analytical skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to manage a diverse legal portfolio efficiently. This is an outstanding remote opportunity to contribute significantly to the legal framework of a prominent organization, working from anywhere within South Africa. Our client values proactive legal counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including service agreements, supply contracts, partnership agreements, and licensing arrangements.
• Manage and direct litigation and alternative dispute resolution processes, including arbitration and mediation.
• Provide strategic legal advice on business operations, risk management, and corporate governance.
• Conduct legal research and prepare well-reasoned legal opinions.
• Advise on regulatory compliance matters relevant to the company's operations.
• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders across various departments to achieve business objectives.
• Manage relationships with external counsel, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality of service.
• Assist in the due diligence process for potential mergers, acquisitions, and investments.
• Develop and implement legal policies and best practices.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting on legal matters to senior management.

Requirements

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa with a current practicing certificate.
• A minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience, encompassing substantial experience in both commercial law and civil litigation.
• Demonstrated expertise in drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Proven track record in managing litigation from initiation through to resolution.
• Strong understanding of South African contract law, company law, and procedural law.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work autonomously in a remote environment, managing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• A pragmatic and commercially-oriented approach to legal problem-solving.
• Experience in the services industry or a related sector is advantageous.

Benefits

This is a fully remote, full-time, permanent position offering the flexibility to work from any location in South Africa. Our client offers a highly competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with excellent benefits including comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions. Opportunities for continuous professional development and engagement with significant legal challenges are provided. Join a respected organization and contribute to its continued success through strategic legal guidance, all from the comfort of your home office. Vereeniging is noted as a location where operations occur.