Associate/Senior Associate (Employment) – Dispute Resolution - Johannesburg, South Africa at Bowmans (Law Firm)

Job Description

• Bowmans’ Employment and Benefits team is looking for a qualified employment lawyer to join its prestigious team.
• This is an opportunity to join a leading Employment & Benefits Department, with outstanding lawyers who are invested in shaping the practice’s jurisprudence across Africa and beyond.
• Therefore, the successful candidate will have diverse exposure to the various litigious and non-litigious work, with tremendous opportunities to grow professionally.

Experience and Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ post articles experience in Employment Law, experience in corporate law and litigation will be advantageous
• LLB degree from a recognized South African tertiary institution
• Must be an admitted attorney
• Excellent command of the English language is essential
• Strong research and practical skills
• Strong academic track record

Job Accountabilities

• A strong command of legal and/or technical issues
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents, including pleadings, agreements, contracts, policies, etc.
• Furnishing legal opinions on various areas of employment law
• Providing strategic and commercial employment advice tailored to clients
• Conducting investigations and preparing investigation reports
• Providing employment advice relating to transactions and assisting with due diligence investigations
• Initiating disciplinary proceedings for client
• Consultations with clients and Counsel
• Preparing CCMA and/or Court documents, including briefs to Counsel
• Ability and desire to appear at the CCMA, Labour Court and other forums
• Conducting accurate research in support of senior lawyers
• Assisting with training for clients
• Contributing to knowledge management and business development of the Practice
• Effective delegation to and management of candidate legal practitioners and/or associates
• Assist with the day to day running of a busy practice, including file management and time management
• Taking part in Firm initiatives such as Pro Bono work and ongoing trainings

Competencies

• Legal Technical and Commercial Skill
• Legal technical knowledge, including the understanding and practical application of legal knowledge
• Impeccable research skills
• Ability to provide strategic and commercially driven advice
• Legal drafting and communication (verbal and written) in a manner tailored for various audiences
• Business awareness and/or acumen
• Project management
• Teamwork
• Good interpersonal skills
• Effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Delegation and development of juniors
• Business Development and Knowledge Management
• Develop, nurture and leverage on internal and external networks
• Client engagement, including drafting fee estimates and pitch documents
• Writing technical articles, presentations, etc.
• Participate in Knowledge initiatives, including the Practice’s thought leadership
• Attend and contribute to learning and development

Personal Attributes

• Initiative: self-starting, proactive, taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required
• Perseverance: be able to work well under pressure without compromising work quality or standards; be able to take constructive feedback; ability to handle high volumes and meet tight deadlines
• Work Standards: sets own high goals and performance standards, producing work timeously, accurately and of a consistently high standard
• Creative: contribute to innovative outcomes, displaying good understanding of clients’ needs, produce practical solutions, business savvy
• Team player: work together with colleagues and staff to enhance the team’s overall performance, take advantage of team synergies and ensure a productive, efficient and caring work environment
• Ethical: display honesty and integrity at all times.