Transactional Projects Lawyer

Transactional Projects Lawyer 4-10 YRS PQE – Johannesburg

Brief

We are currently looking to recruit an Associate / Senior Associate Lawyer with around 4-10 years PQE to join the Finance and Projects team of Pinsent Masons LLP in Johannesburg.

Background

The role sits within the Finance & Projects team based in the Johannesburg office. The team is predominantly active in infrastructure and energy sector projects space. Of key importance to the role is the ability to navigate around project agreements, and in particular power purchase agreements, PPP agreements, construction contracts, operation and maintenance agreements. The practice also advises clients on PPP projects in South Africa and Africa more broadly, as well as representing funders and financiers in infrastructure projects in Africa.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s finance and projects team, led jointly by Claire Barclay and Apicksha Patel, guides clients through the full lifecycle of infrastructure and energy projects. Barclay has experience advising a wide range of clients throughout Africa, including governments, developers, sponsors, and development finance institutions, in relation to construction projects, concession agreements, and public-private partnerships. Patel specialises in infrastructure and energy finance, especially in the transport, renewables, healthcare, education, and accommodation sectors, while Emma Roberts advises public and private sector clients on infrastructure development projects, offtake agreements, and power procurement.

The Candidate Required

This is a dynamic team where every team member can make his or her own mark. Associates / Senior Associates are a key part of the team's structure and future development, and are expected to take responsibility for leading and managing projects, developing and leading client relationships, contributing to the team's business development plans, and supporting the growth of more junior team members.

The role is wide-ranging and includes :

1. having excellent technical legal skills;
2. supervising associates and junior lawyers in the team;
3. leading and managing transactions;
4. developing ongoing relationships with the existing client base as well as pitching for new opportunities;
5. developing close working relationships as part of an international team;
6. the opportunity to be involved in work on high profile projects and cross-border transactions on a global scale;
7. contributing to our globally read Outlaw e-publication and external publications on topical issues and developments in our markets; and
8. taking an active role in our business development campaigns, the development of our innovative products and pitching for new work.

The successful candidates will :

1. have gained experience in a firm with an established infrastructure and / or energy practice;
2. have knowledge of and experience in public sector regulatory frameworks including public sector procurement and public finance management legislation as well as a firm grasp of administrative and constitutional law;
3. have knowledge of and experience in energy regulatory law;
4. have experience of project development transactions from a commercial and / or finance perspective;
5. demonstrate experience of acting in a leading role in key transactions, being a self-starter and taking responsibility for client service and of managing the transaction and the team;
6. be a team player, able to forge strong working relationships with colleagues;
7. be technically strong and exercise good commercial judgment;
8. be receptive to different ways of working including strong project management skills;
9. have interpersonal skills necessary for this client-facing role; and
10. have experience in business development activities including presenting seminars or training sessions to external parties.

What will we offer you?

1. the opportunity to join the market leading team, yet one that remains dynamic with the ambition to continue to grow in the region;
2. a collaborative environment where colleagues work together across offices and countries to produce outstanding results for our clients;
3. colleagues who are leading specialists in energy and infrastructure law and practice;
4. a first class training and career development programme. Our training reflects our position as a market leader in energy and infrastructure. Our training will assist you to develop as a specialist with valuable sector knowledge and the ability to deliver "best of breed" services; and
5. the opportunity to be part of a team working on stand out high profile international, national and local assignments.