Senior Legal Advisor | Johannesburg | Permanent

Step into a senior-level legal advisory role where your expertise in labour and employment law will directly shape business outcomes and workforce strategy. This opportunity is ideal for a commercially minded legal professional who thrives in complex litigation, high-stakes negotiations, and strategic advisory environments.

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Legal Advisor to lead complex labour and employment law matters across a diverse client portfolio. The role focuses on strategic dispute resolution, Labour Court litigation, collective labour relations, employment compliance, and executive-level advisory services. You will independently manage matters across the CCMA, bargaining councils, Labour Court, and Labour Appeal Court while partnering closely with HR leaders, executives, and operational stakeholders.

This position requires a confident legal practitioner with deep expertise in South African labour legislation, strong advocacy capability, and the ability to align legal strategy with commercial and operational realities. The successful candidate will also play a leadership role in mentoring junior professionals, driving compliance initiatives, and contributing to practice growth.

Our client is a respected professional services environment with a strong reputation for delivering strategic labour and employment law solutions to corporate clients across multiple industries. The organisation offers exposure to complex legal matters, a collaborative leadership culture, and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to client success and practice development.

What You'll Do

• Represent clients in CCMA, bargaining council, Labour Court, and Labour Appeal Court proceedings
• Manage complex labour disputes including unfair dismissals, unfair labour practices, constructive dismissals, and strike-related matters
• Lead arbitration, conciliation, con-arb proceedings, and urgent applications
• Draft legal opinions, pleadings, heads of argument, settlement agreements, employment contracts, and workplace policies
• Advise clients on collective bargaining, retrenchment processes, organisational rights, and industrial action
• Conduct compliance audits and advise on employment law, POPIA, OHSA, COIDA, UIF, and immigration-related matters
• Develop litigation strategies aligned to commercial objectives and risk mitigation
• Mentor junior legal advisors and manage external counsel where required
• Facilitate client training on legislative developments and labour law best practice
• Ensure compliance with evolving case law and the 2025 Code of Good Practice

What You Bring

• LLB Degree and admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
• 5–8 years post-admission experience in labour and employment law
• Proven experience in Labour Court, CCMA, and bargaining council litigation
• Strong expertise in arbitration, dispute resolution, and collective labour relations
• Experience managing Section 189 and 189A retrenchment processes
• Sound knowledge of South African employment legislation and labour law developments
• Experience using Court Online, Caselines, and electronic filing systems
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, mediation, and advocacy skills
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability
• Ability to manage complex, high-pressure matters independently
• Valid driver's licence and own vehicle

What Success Looks Like

• Strong litigation and dispute resolution outcomes across all forums
• High-quality legal drafting and advisory work
• Effective client relationship management and retention
• Strong contribution to practice growth and revenue generation
• Timely delivery of opinions, filings, and legal documentation
• Successful implementation of compliance frameworks and risk mitigation strategies
• Positive mentorship and development outcomes within the legal team
• Demonstrated leadership in complex, high-risk employment law matters