Candidate Attorney and Office Administrator - Sandton

Introduction

Join a Leading Corporate & Commercial Law Firm

A leading South African corporate and commercial law firm is seeking a dedicated, detail-oriented and highly organised Candidate Attorney to join its Sandton office.

This is a unique dual-function, entry-level opportunity combining formal first-year legal articles with responsibility for the day-to-day administration and office management of a boutique legal practice.

The successful candidate will gain practical exposure to corporate and commercial law, legal research, contract drafting, company secretarial work, CIPC filings, due diligence, FICA compliance and client onboarding, while providing administrative and secretarial support to the Partners.

This opportunity is ideally suited to a recently graduated LLB candidate who is professional, organised, commercially minded and confident working across both legal and administrative functions.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Articles Clerk / Candidate Attorney

• Register and complete a Practical Vocational Training Contract with the Legal Practice Council (LPC).

• Fulfil all LPC training, logbook and reporting requirements.

• Complete the required LPC practice management training and board/admission examinations.

• Conduct legal research and prepare research memoranda and draft opinions.

• Assist with drafting and formatting contracts, resolutions, legal correspondence and compliance documentation.

• Assist with company secretarial matters, CIPC filings, board resolutions and statutory records.

• Assist with due diligence, FICA and client onboarding processes.

• Prepare briefs to counsel, court bundles and legal correspondence.

• Attend consultations, meetings and, where appropriate, court or tribunal proceedings under supervision.

• Maintain accurate physical and electronic matter files.

• Diarise and monitor legal deadlines.

• Provide general legal support to the Partners and legal team.

Office Management & Legal Secretarial Duties

• Provide legal secretarial and administrative support to the Partners.

• Manage diaries, meetings, scheduling, correspondence and appointments.

• Prepare, format and proofread legal documents to a high standard.

• Manage day-to-day office operations, including office supplies, groceries, cleaning services and office events.

• Maintain accurate staff leave records and administer annual, sick and family responsibility leave.

• Manage incoming calls, emails and reception duties.

• Receive clients, couriers and parcels and prepare meeting rooms.

• Open, maintain and archive physical and electronic matter files.

• Arrange couriers and manage document submissions and filings.

• Assist with billing and timesheet capturing where required.

• Assist with the development and implementation of office, HR and wellness policies.

• Provide general administrative and personal assistance to Partners, including travel arrangements where required.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• LLB Degree completed, or final-year LLB student who will complete the qualification before commencement.

• Eligible for registration as a Candidate Attorney / Articled Clerk with the Legal Practice Council.

• Practical Vocational Training Contract must be registered within the LPC's prescribed timeframe.

• A Secretarial, Paralegal or Office Administration qualification will be advantageous but is not essential.

Experience

• No prior legal experience required – this is a first-year Articles / Candidate Attorney position.

• Vacation work, internship, administrative or legal secretarial experience will be advantageous.

• Own transport to Sandton will be advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Strong working knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Excellent legal research capabilities.

• Understanding of legal document formatting and drafting conventions.

• Ability to work with legal practice management and document management systems.

• Strong electronic and hard-copy filing skills.

Key Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong grammar, spelling, formatting and data-entry skills.

• Highly organised with excellent time-management abilities.

• Ability to prioritise competing legal and administrative deadlines.

• Professional, polished and client-focused manner.

• High level of confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive legal and client information.

• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Ability to anticipate the needs of Partners and the legal team.

• Adaptable, proactive and solutions-oriented.

• Strong team player with a positive and professional attitude.

Package & Remuneration

Market Related

Interested?

Why Join?

• Complete your legal articles / Practical Vocational Training in a high-performance boutique corporate and commercial law firm.

• Gain early exposure to high-level corporate transactions and specialised legal matters.

• Develop practical experience across both legal practice and law firm administration.

• Work closely with experienced legal professionals and Partners.

• Opportunity for long-term professional development and potential progression into an admitted attorney position.

• Join a collaborative, forward-thinking legal environment committed to excellence and innovation.

Interested?

An excellent opportunity for an ambitious LLB graduate seeking practical exposure to both the legal and commercial operations of a specialist corporate and commercial law firm.

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