Commercial Attorney

Description:

Overview

Our Commercial Department has a vacant position for a qualified Attorney. We are looking for an energetic and highly driven candidate to become part of this well-established and growing practice. The ideal candidate is confident with excellent written and oral communication abilities, ability to handle multiple priorities and well experienced in Commercial law. If you enjoy commercial work and have the desire to take your career to the next level, then this is for you. This role represents a great opportunity within a challenging and professional environment.

Minimum required experience and competencies:

• Completed B Com Law or B Com LLB with 2 years of Clerkship;
• Admitted Attorney;
• Knowledge and understanding of Commercial and Corporate law is essential;
• 3 years’ post-admission experience in Commercial department a must;
• Experience with High Court litigation and contract drafting a must;
• Experience in IP law firm will be advantageous;
• Fully computer literate on Ms Office (Knowledge of Patricia will be advantageous);
• Excellent written & oral communication skills and good command of English;
• Must be able to multi-task;
• Able to work independently;
• Deadline driven;
• Good team player;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Personal development abilities;
• Client focused;
• Good negotiation skills;
• Able to maintain an orderly working environment;
• Punctual and reliable;
• Good work ethic.

Key responsibilities and duties:

The duties and responsibilities of the Commercial Associate will include, but not be limited to:

• Accurate recording of billable and non-billable attendances;
• Accurate and frequent invoicing;
• Accurate compilation of comprehensive commercial quotations;
• Ensuring that trust funds are requested from clients and that existing trust accounts are managed properly;
• Ensuring that all litigation notices and pleadings are properly diarised and managed;
• Preparation of client engagement letter & Power of Attorney once litigation is confirmed and arrange for deposit;
• Ensuring accurate and timeous drafting or reviewing of all legal documents i.e. contracts, agreements and letters of demand;
• Ensuring accurate and timeous briefing of counsel and relevant third parties and ensure adequate pre-consultation preparation;
• Ensuing that files are managed efficiently (Company files, client files, counsel files and court copies);
• Adhering to FICA requirements and ensuring that the relevant documentation is completed accurately;
• Ensuring that all client queries are acknowledged immediately and resolved timeously including invoice queries and other general queries;
• Updating clients and all other relevant parties on a regular basis regarding the status of matters/ instructions or queries;
• Ensuring that legal advice and knowledge is sound and competent;
• Ensure billing requirements for specific clients are adhered to in accordance with client's instructions;
• Ensuring fees are reported timeously and monthly target is met;
• Ensuring effective management of debtors i.e., when working on a file determining whether there is an outstanding account and following up for payment;
• Ensuring timeous capturing of disbursements;
• Compile portfolio reports and audit clients’ businesses in search of new instructions;
• Contributing to internal and external marketing activities and practice growth strategies i.e., presenting at client breakfast seminars, educational seminars for clients on industry developments;
• Enhance existing and potential client relations by identifying and attending networking opportunities i.e., expos, local conference, workshops etc.;
• Complying with ISO procedures, including reporting of mistakes and implementation of corrective measures.

Requirements:

• Completed B Com Law or B Com LLB with 2 years of Clerkship;
• Admitted Attorney;
• Knowledge and understanding of Commercial and Corporate law is essential;
• 3 years’ post-admission experience in Commercial department a must;
• Experience with High Court litigation and contract drafting a must;
• Experience in IP law firm will be advantageous;
• Fully computer literate on Ms Office (Knowledge of Patricia will be advantageous);
• Excellent written & oral communication skills and good command of English;
• Must be able to multi-task;
• Able to work independently;
• Deadline driven;
• Good team player;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Personal development abilities;
• Client focused;
• Good negotiation skills;
• Able to maintain an orderly working environment;
• Punctual and reliable;
• Good work ethic.

• Accurate recording of billable and non-billable attendances;
• Accurate and frequent invoicing;
• Accurate compilation of comprehensive commercial quotations;
• Ensuring that trust funds are requested from clients and that existing trust accounts are managed properly;
• Ensuring that all litigation notices and pleadings are properly diarised and managed;
• Preparation of client engagement letter & Power of Attorney once litigation is confirmed and arrange for deposit;
• Ensuring accurate and timeous drafting or reviewing of all legal documents i.e. contracts, agreements and letters of demand;
• Ensuring accurate and timeous briefing of counsel and relevant third parties and ensure adequate pre-consultation preparation;
• Ensuing that files are managed efficiently (Company files, client files, counsel files and court copies);
• Adhering to FICA requirements and ensuring that the relevant documentation is completed accurately;
• Ensuring that all client queries are acknowledged immediately and resolved timeously including invoice queries and other general queries;
• Updating clients and all other relevant parties on a regular basis regarding the status of matters/ instructions or queries;
• Ensuring that legal advice and knowledge is sound and competent;
• Ensure billing requirements for specific clients are adhered to in accordance with client's instructions;
• Ensuring fees are reported timeously and monthly target is met;
• Ensuring effective management of debtors i.e., when working on a file determining whether there is an outstanding account and following up for payment;
• Ensuring timeous capturing of disbursements;
• Compile portfolio reports and audit clients’ businesses in search of new instructions;
• Contributing to internal and external marketing activities and practice growth strategies i.e., presenting at client breakfast seminars, educational seminars for clients on industry developments;
• Enhance existing and potential client relations by identifying and attending networking opportunities i.e., expos, local conference, workshops etc.;
• Complying with ISO procedures, including reporting of mistakes and implementation of corrective measures.