Legal Counsel I

Takealot Group, a cornerstone of the African e-commerce landscape, is inviting applications for a Legal Counsel I position based at their headquarters in Cape Town. As the organisation continues to scale its operations across platforms like Takealot.com and MrD, they require a versatile legal professional to join their high-energy, fast-paced team. This role is designed for someone who thrives in a hyper-growth environment and possesses the technical expertise to handle a diverse range of corporate and commercial legal challenges.

About the role

The successful candidate will be a critical part of a legal team tasked with protecting the group’s interests while enabling business agility. You will not only be drafting and negotiating commercial contracts but also spearheading initiatives to modernise how the legal department operates. A unique aspect of this role is the focus on innovation; you will be expected to assist in the integration of software and AI-driven solutions to make legal service delivery more efficient and scalable.

The position offers significant variety, moving beyond pure contract management into areas such as employment law, intellectual property protection, and banking compliance. You will act as a key advisor to internal business units, helping to mitigate risk while ensuring that the company’s customer-centric mission remains at the forefront of all operations.

Your daily responsibilities will be multifaceted, requiring a high degree of autonomy and commercial acumen. Key areas of focus include:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements essential to the group’s retail and delivery operations.
• Updating and refining standard contract templates to keep pace with evolving legal standards.
• Providing hands-on guidance regarding dispute resolution, litigation, and employment-related legal matters.
• Overseeing the company’s intellectual property portfolio and managing IP-related disputes.
• Conducting legal research and drafting formal opinions to advise the business on regulatory developments.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to provide training and foster a culture of legal awareness.
• Identifying and implementing legal tech solutions to streamline team workflows.

What they're looking for

Takealot is looking for a qualified professional who balances academic excellence with practical, "hands-on" experience. You must be an admitted attorney or advocate in South Africa with between three and five years of post-admission experience.

Specific requirements include:

• Proven expertise in corporate and commercial law, with a strong track record in contract drafting.
• A background gained at a reputable law firm, the bar, or within the in-house legal team of a major corporate entity.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor junior legal professionals.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, coupled with the ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice for non-legal stakeholders.
• A detail-oriented mindset that remains focused on practical, commercial outcomes.

For a Legal Counsel with 3–5 years of experience in the South African corporate sector, this role represents a step into the cutting edge of retail tech. In-house positions at large organisations like Takealot generally provide competitive remuneration packages and a clear trajectory for career progression into senior legal management or operational leadership roles. Given the evolving nature of e-commerce law in South Africa, this role provides an excellent platform for building a specialised profile in digital commerce and intellectual property.

• LLB, admitted attorney or advocate in South Africa
• 3-5 years post-admission experience at the bar, a well-established law firm, or in the in-house legal department of a large corporate
• Experience in corporate and commercial law is essential, particularly in drafting and reviewing contracts
• Experience leading and/or mentoring legal professionals
• Proactive with a consistently positive attitude
• Team player with good drafting skills
• Ability to work hard independently and within a team
• Ability to prioritise numerous competing tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Detail-oriented whilst remaining practical
• Good working knowledge of South African law in general