DIRECTOR: DISPUTE RESOLUTION - SANDTONFull job descriptionOVERVIEW:We are seeking an experienced and skilled commercial Litigation Director preferably with own sustainable practice or clients. The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective and efficient management of litigation matters, the provision of legal advisory services and ensuring effective management of legal and associated matters inter alia client management, fees management, personnel management, operational requirements of the Litigation department within the firm.KEY OBJECTIVES:Strategic Planning:Developing and implementing strategies for handling legal disputes, including assessing risks, formulating legal arguments and determining the best course of action.Case Management:Overseeing the department, assigning and prioritizing cases and ensuring that litigation matters are handled efficiently and effectively.Legal Research and Analysis:Conducting in-depth legal research, analyzing case law, statutes, and regulations relevant to ongoing cases, and providing guidance to the legal team.Trial Preparation:Collaborating with attorneys to develop trial strategies, overseeing the collection and organization of evidence, coordinating witness preparation, and ensuring that all necessary documents and exhibits are prepared.Budget and Resource Management:Managing litigation budgets, tracking expenses, and negotiating vendor contracts. Allocating resources effectively to meet litigation needs.Risk Assessment and Mitigation:Identifying potential legal risks and providing guidance to the organization on how to minimize exposure to litigation. Advising on compliance issues and procedures to prevent future disputes.Collaboration and Communication:Liaising with internal stakeholders, such as executives, department heads, and corporate counsel, to understand business objectives and provide legal advice. Collaborating with external counsel, expert witnesses, and consultants as necessary.Settlement Negotiation:Assessing settlement opportunities, developing negotiation strategies, and representing the organization in settlement discussions to achieve favourable outcomes for clients.Legal Compliance:Staying up to date with changes in laws and regulations that may impact ongoing litigation, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, court rules, and procedural requirements.Reporting and Documentation:Maintaining accurate and comprehensive case files, preparing status reports, and providing updates to senior management / MANCO, as and when required, on the progress of litigation matters.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Provide direction, strategy and leadership of department;Promote team work and team building in the department;Report the progress of the department and plan on a monthly basis to the MANCO;Provide training to the Attorneys and Candidate Attorneys;Provide maximum exposure and room for growth for the Attorneys and Candidate Attorneys;Be responsible for managing his own practice and to identify the need to employ more staff members to assist should the need arise;At all times place the best interests of the firm first when exercising a decision or raising a viewAchieve all targets as set out in annual KPA (Key Performance Areas).RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND NEW BUSINESS· To bring in new clients to the firm;· Grow the department in terms of size of the team, number of clients, revenue generation, and litigation department’s public profile;· Attend to marketing the practice and business development; and· To cross-sell services of the department to existing clients of the firm.LEADERSHIP AND MANAGERIAL ROLE· To be present and engage in constructive discussions during directors’ meetings;· To review, finalise and sign employment agreements, after the salary has been approved by the MANCO, on behalf of Gwina Attorneys for all staff to be employed within his/her department;· Take initiative to pro-actively engage with MANCO and raise awareness of any matters that may negatively affect the firm and its staff and present solutions to deal with same;· Compulsorily attend all firm functions held within or outside the firm;· Always act as an ambassador of the firm and promote team spirit and oneness throughout the firm.FINANCE AND BUDGETING· Ensure that all monies due to the firm (based on the invoices issued under the department) are collected promptly and at least within 30 (thirty) days of the issuing of the invoice(s);· Work according to a standard fee structure and reach the required billing targets monthly;· Encourage the team to capture their time daily to enhance smooth billing processCRITICAL BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES· Ability to display and build the highest standards of ethical and moral conduct in order to promote confidence and trust.· Ability to foster the long-term learning or development of others.· Conflict Management: ability to handle difficult individuals, groups of people, or tense situations with diplomacy and tact.CRITICAL BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES· Ability to display and build the highest standards of ethical and moral conduct in order to promote confidence and trust.· Ability to foster the long-term learning or development of others.· Conflict Management: ability to handle difficult individuals, groups of people, or tense situations with diplomacy and tact.REQUIREMENTS:· LLB Degree· Must be an admitted attorney· Minimum of 10 years post qualification experience in commercial litigation and dispute resolution· Experience in litigation in the High and Magistrate’s Court;· Experience in arbitration and mediation of commercial disputes;· Sound knowledge of Court processes, court directives, practice rules and professional ethics;· Strong drafting and presentation skills, ability to argue cases and represent clients in courts and other tribunals;· Preparation of counsel briefs, instructions to counsel and opinions on complex legal questions and disputes;· Strong knowledge of motion proceedings and summons proceedings;· Ability to draft pleadings including High Court Summons; applications and supporting affidavits, interdict proceedings, review applications, debt recovery, contractual breach claims and other processes within a wide spectrum of disputes ranging from commercial/corporate disputes etc;· Good negotiating skills;· Ability to work independently, manage cases and ability to work in a team and supervise juniors;· Good research skills and enthusiasm to prepare and produce legal articles for presentations and publications;· Good time management skills, discipline, proper recording of time and billing; and· Ability to work under pressure and assign roles to team members and juniorsADDED ADVANTAGE:Although not a requirement, experience in employment law, including handling matters in the Labour Court, CCMA, Bargaining Councils, and/or advising corporate clients on section 197 employee transfer, HR due diligence, HR policies, internal disciplinary hearings will be an added advantage.SALARY:Market related depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experiencePlease send send application to: Careers@dialalegalassistant.co.zaJob Type: Full-timeAbility to Commute:Sandton, Gauteng (Required)Ability to Relocate:Sandton, Gauteng: Relocate before starting work (Required)
