Mid-Level Employment Associate

The Role

We are excited about the prospect of adding a team member to our market-leading Employment Practice in Johannesburg. Our ideal candidate is an exceptional employment lawyer who will join us as a Mid-level Associate.

We work with our clients on the full range of domestic and international employment matters. We partner with a broad range of blue chip and global clients across a range of sectors, including information technology, financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, transport, consumer products, and retail.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a bustling, expanding and strategically minded team working on high quality, varied and interesting work, incorporating best international practice and playing a valuable part in the South African employment law community.

We are excited to hear from candidates with extensive experience from a reputable employment practices, and we also welcome applications from candidates with a diverse employment law professional background.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate evidence of good quality training and extensive experience gained from a leading employment practice.

The successful candidate will need a good commercial mindset, be a strong team player and have the ability to build excellent client relationships.

Main Responsibilities

• Advising clients on a wide range of complex employment matters (often on an international basis)
• Workforce redesign and reductions
• Employment agreements, management services agreements and consultancy related contracts for executive hiring
• Day to day employment law advice on individual employment law aspects, including advice on termination, conditions of employment, compensation and other benefits, as well as on collective labour law issues such as mutual interest disputes and the impact of corporate transactions on employees
• Developing relationships with clients including gaining a good knowledge of the client's businesses, economic drivers, and market and sector requirements in order to ensure the advice is relevant and commercial
• Engaging in business development activities, being active in the promotion of the firm, and seeking new opportunities
• Working as part of a team includes taking an active part in sharing knowledge and experience within the team and guidance and training of juniors

Experience and Skills Required:

• Minimum 4 years of experience in employment law with a preference of experience in a reputable law firm;
• Bachelor of Laws degree;
• Master of Laws degree in Labour Law (preferable);
• Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa;
• Ability to be self-motivated, organised and pragmatic while being able to deliver under pressure;
• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities as well as problem-solving and time-management skills; and
• Excellent organisational and general communication skills.

Why Join Us?

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world's most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,200 people in 78 offices in 46 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

In Johannesburg you will be part of an office with over 100 people. Originally opened in 2012, Baker McKenzie South Africa is well established in South Africa as a leading international law firm and is regularly involved in some of the country's most high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride and experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office environment that is hardworking, yet friendly and supportive.

There are regular opportunities for secondments with clients and to other offices under the firm's associate exchange programme.

To Apply

At Baker McKenzie, we welcome direct applications.

Please click on the Apply button on this advertisement to complete the application form.

For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact, in confidence, Boipelo Soko, Recruitment Manager.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Please note Baker McKenzie does not accept unsolicited CVs.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Baker McKenzie has a culture of diversity and inclusion in its DNA - since our beginning, the differences of our people have helped us to work fluently across borders, cultures and practices. This is intrinsic to everything we do and underpins Baker McKenzie's vision to be the global law firm of choice. We understand that organisations work best when people with different backgrounds and points of view are brought together. We also know people perform at their best when they can be themselves at work. Baker McKenzie is committed to serving our clients with innovative solutions brought about by a diverse talent pool and an inclusive community.

The Johannesburg office mirrors the wider firm in encouraging the best people, regardless of race, culture, religion or belief (if any), gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation or age, to fulfil their professional aspirations with us so as to create an exciting and diverse legal environment.