Associate – Corporate & Commercial Litigation

SUMMARY:
We are looking for an Associate – Corporate & Commercial Litigation for a permanent role based in Durban.

POSITION INFO:
Key performance areas
- Consult with clients and counsel
- Hard working and able to work after-hours (if required)
- Committed to meeting the hourly/fee budget
- Committed to building a long-term career and growing within the firm
- Passionate about the work and eagerness to learn
- Positive attitude and ability to learn and develop
- Draft legal opinions, pleadings and correspondence
- Manage work to support optimal utilisation
- Assist senior lawyers as required, acting as lead lawyer, where appropriate
- Offer high quality legal advice to clients
- Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation
- Delegate and provide feedback to juniors and communicate progress on tasks to supervisor and team members, consulting and offering solutions on difficult technical client issues
- Manage, develop and strengthen client relationships through anticipating client needs and expectations; and provide prompt responses and updates on progress.
- Support the firm and others in establishing effective relationships with individuals and groups, across the global network
- Uphold the firm’s values
- Prepare cases for trial or arbitration
- Maintaining the confidentiality of legal documents and client records
- Litigating in civil courts, tribunals and arbitration
- Contribute to the firm’s initiatives (e.g. corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion activities)

Competencies
- Sound legal technical and commercial ability
- Sound legal knowledge
- Impeccable research and presentation skills
- Legal drafting, business acumen
- Commerciality
- Project management

Job requirements
- Ability to understand court processes and advise thereon
- Arbitration and mediation experience
- Solid legal drafting and research skills
- Deliver excellent client service as well as manage and deliver discrete pieces of legal work.
- Build a solid foundation of commercial and legal expertise within a chosen area of law
- Strengthen relationships with clients, frequently acting as a direct point of contact.
- Demonstrate ability to manage and delegate work to and support junior colleagues.
- Strong opinion writing skills
- Demonstrate expert administrative and project management skills
- Maintain efficient turnaround times
- Ability to work well under pressure without compromising work quality or standards
- Ability to handle high volumes and many matters as well as meet deadlines with the view to adding value to the business by delivering the required results
- Ability to assist with knowledge transfer to junior professionals and take advantage of team interactions
- Ability to produce consistent high-quality work
- Display honesty and integrity at all times
- Ability to communicate well in writing and verbally, with good presentation skills

Qualifications & Experience
- Admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa
- 1-2 years PQE in Commercial Litigation / Dispute Resolution
- Good understanding of law firm profitability and key drivers for financial efficiency; and ability to help manage costs and budgets
- Solid knowledge of chosen area of law and industry sector(s)
- Strong legal skills, including drafting, negotiation, and project management skills; foundation level people management and business development skills

NB: Hybrid working model (2days in)

Please call us on 0100300127

NB: Should you not hear from us within 6weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.