The role of Legal Advisor within FNB's Johannesburg operations offers a crucial support function to a specific business area, ensuring timely and accurate legal counsel. Operating under the guidance of more experienced legal professionals and a dedicated Legal Head, this position is designed for an individual eager to develop their expertise in a dynamic financial services environment. The core purpose is to provide essential legal services, from the initial drafting of contracts to providing well-researched advice on complex legal matters impacting the organisation.

About the Role

This opportunity is ideal for legal professionals who are either awaiting admission as an attorney or have recently been admitted, possessing up to two years of post-admission experience. You will be instrumental in supporting a Legal Manager across a wide spectrum of legal, regulatory, commercial, and governance issues pertinent to the financial services and payments sector. It represents a significant chance for an ambitious legal mind to gain exposure to areas such as fintech, payment regulations, commercial contracting, litigation oversight, product commercialisation, and corporate governance. The organisation is committed to fostering growth, with the expectation that the successful candidate will gradually acquire the knowledge and confidence to operate with increasing autonomy.

Your responsibilities will span several key areas, contributing directly to the legal and operational soundness of the business unit.

• **Commercial Contracting:** You will be involved in the drafting, meticulous review, interpretation, and negotiation of a variety of commercial agreements. This includes working with supplier, client, service provider, technology, and confidentiality agreements. A crucial aspect will be managing the entire contract lifecycle, from initiation through execution and effective record management, while identifying and proposing practical solutions for legal and commercial risks embedded within these contracts.
• **Legal Advisory:** This function requires conducting thorough legal research and analysis to inform your advice. You will be responsible for drafting legal opinions, memoranda, and advisory notes, providing practical legal guidance to business stakeholders. A key element involves advising on the legal risks associated with new products, ongoing projects, and operational initiatives.
• **Dispute Resolution and Litigation Management:** You will assist in coordinating and managing disputes that involve the company. This includes liaising with and managing external legal counsel, supporting the implementation of litigation strategies, and overseeing legal matters. Reviewing pleadings, legal correspondence, and settlement proposals will also fall within your purview.
• **Regulatory and Financial Services Support:** Providing essential support on legal and regulatory matters pertaining to the financial services sector, particularly within the payments industry, will be a significant part of your role. You will also be involved with data privacy, technology services, and other commercialisation initiatives, assisting in the interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements.
• **Governance and Legal Operations:** Maintaining legal matter registers and trackers, managing legal repositories and contract databases, and supporting governance and committee reporting are vital operational tasks. You will also coordinate contract execution and administration processes.

What They're Looking For

To be successful in this role, candidates will need a strong foundational legal education and the initial stages of professional legal experience.

• **Qualifications:** An LLB degree is a fundamental requirement. Applicants must either be awaiting admission as an attorney or be an admitted attorney with up to two years of post-admission experience.
• **Experience:** Demonstrated experience in commercial law, whether gained through articles of clerkship, in-house legal departments, or legal practice, is essential. You should have practical experience in drafting, reviewing, or negotiating agreements and a proven ability to conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions or memoranda.
• **Advantageous Skills:** While not strictly mandatory, exposure to the financial services sector, including banking, payments, insurance, investments, and fintech, would be highly beneficial. Experience with regulatory compliance, litigation, dispute resolution matters, and working with commercial contracts would further strengthen an application.

This role is an excellent platform for a burgeoning legal professional to significantly enhance their career within South Africa's robust financial services landscape. Roles of this nature typically offer competitive remuneration, often within the range of R350,000 to R600,000 annually, depending on experience and the specific business unit. Major financial institutions and banking groups are common employers for such positions in South Africa, providing clear pathways for professional development and advancement within legal departments.

•  Minimum RequirementsQualifications
  • LLB degree.
  • Awaiting admission as an Attorney or admitted Attorney with up to 2 years post-admission experience.
• Experience
  • Exposure to commercial law through articles, in-house legal experience, or legal practice.
  • Experience drafting, reviewing or negotiating agreements.
  • Experience conducting legal research and preparing legal opinions or legal memoranda.
• Advantageous
  • Exposure to:
    • Financial services;
    • Banking;
    • Payments;
    • Insurance;
    • Investments;
    • Fintech;
    • Regulatory compliance.
  • Exposure to litigation and dispute resolution matters.
  • Experience working with commercial contracts.

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Job Details

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.