Associate

An opportunity has become available for a finance lawyer to join the Corporate & Commercial Practice Area (Banking and Finance area) at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc ('CDH') in Team Jacobs. The successful applicant will be involved in a diverse array of Banking & Finance matters across a spectrum of clients in various industries, with a particular focus on the energy sector.

The ideal candidate should be commercially minded, have finance and transactional experience coupled with strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent drafting competence. A good work ethic, an ability to conceive strategy, exercise initiative and take responsibility together with the capacity to work under pressure in a fast paced environment are essential.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• advising on various aspects of finance transactions, including preference share funding, acquisition finance, general leveraged finance and project finance;

• advising and consulting with clients in relation to various finance transactions;

• drafting/negotiating/reviewing of facility agreements, preference share subscription agreements, preference share terms, common terms agreements, security documents and related transaction agreements;

• assisting with/managing the closing of transactions; and

• building and maintaining client relationships

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• An LLB or equivalent qualification

• Admission as an Attorney in South Africa

• At least 2-3 years post admission experience practising in a banking and finance practice

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate should also meet the following requirements:

• Familiarity with the LMA recommended forms of facility agreements;

• Familiarity with Companies Act requirements in relation to financing transactions, including preference share facilities;

• excellent interpersonal, drafting and written communication skills;

• strong technical skills needed to support the client work of the Practice Area

• ability to administer and execute instructions, from receipt to conclusion, with minimal professional supervision;

• strong organisational skills, meticulous and high attention to detail;

• ability to prioritise and co-ordinate work in order to meet deadlines in a highly pressurised environment;

• ability to work well in a team;

• a client service orientation, being able to engage with clients who will interrogate your reasoning and require you to justify your legal arguments and commercial input;

• show interest and an appreciation of what is happening around you, i.e. understand that political and economic events may have an impact on your clients and your practice; and

• ability to take initiative and assume responsibility for monitoring the expeditious progress of transactions.