47 Legal Associate jobs in South Africa

Legal Associate

Location:

Cape Town

Department:

Legal

Reports To:

CLO

Job Type:

Full-time

About Us

We are a fast-scaling fintech business driving innovation in the financial infrastructure space across Africa and beyond. Our team works at the intersection of regulation, technology, and commerce, and we're looking for a detail-oriented Legal Associate to support our legal and compliance function across multiple jurisdictions.

Role Overview

The Legal Associate will play a key role in supporting licensing, regulatory, and commercial legal matters. You will work across jurisdictions on high-impact legal operations, helping ensure that the company remains compliant, well-structured, and contractually protected as it grows. This is a hands-on legal role ideal for a proactive and organised professional with fintech, payments, or cross-border regulatory experience.

Key ResponsibilitiesRegulatory & Licensing

• Assist with the preparation and submission of new license applications across various jurisdictions, liaising with financial regulators as needed.

• Track and support the renewal and ongoing compliance of all licenses in coordination with senior legal and compliance teams.

• Conduct legal research into new regulations or laws that impact the business.

Contracts & Legal Documents

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex legal agreements, including vendor contracts, customer agreements, and technology service terms.

• Assist in the preparation of internal legal documents such as board resolutions, templates, and legal filings.

Corporate & Secretarial Work

• Support the establishment of new legal entities in multiple jurisdictions.

• Maintain company registers, file annual returns, and ensure statutory compliance across the group.

Banking, PSPs & Counterparties

• Assist with onboarding and maintaining relationships with banks, payment service providers, and trading counterparties.

• Prepare and organise legal documentation for counterparty onboarding and due diligence processes.

Regulatory Engagements & Support

• Provide support during engagements with regulators, banking partners, and PSPs.

• Ensure adherence to legal directives and guidelines issued by authorities.

• Provide day-to-day support to the company's senior legal counsel as required.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB).

• Admitted attorney.

• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in a law firm or in-house legal department.

• Strong grounding in financial services, banking & payments, and contract/commercial law.

• Ability to work independently in both structured and fast-changing environments.

• Strong attention to detail and organisational abilities — must be meticulous.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Comfortable performing both strategic and administrative legal tasks.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Etana is powering South Africa's clean energy transition
— and we're looking for a
Legal Associate
who's sharp, detail-driven, and ready to make an impact.

The renewable energy industry is growing fast, and we're at the forefront, giving businesses access to cost-competitive clean power through the grid. Now we need a legal professional who can help us scale — ensuring our contracts, compliance, and partnerships are watertight as we grow.

You bring the precision.

We bring the mission.

Together, we'll help South Africa decarbonise — contract by contract.

What You'll Do

• Draft, review, and refine NDAs, LOIs, MOUs, and more.
• Support negotiations and manage documentation for customer and generator PPAs.
• Coordinate contract execution — from final reviews to signatures.
• Own documentation and CP management during financial close.
• Maintain an organised, up-to-date repository of contracts.
• Track obligations, milestones, and compliance under PPAs.
• Act as a bridge between commercial, operations, and finance teams.
• Report on contract status, compliance, and risk exposure.
• Stay sharp on regulatory changes shaping the energy sector.

What We're Looking For

• An analytical and solutions-oriented thinker with a proactive mindset.
• Meticulous and process-driven, with a sharp eye for detail.
• Practical and grounded, able to navigate complexity with sound judgment.
• Clear and confident in communication, with the ability to engage across teams.
• Discreet and composed, especially when handling commercially sensitive or high-stakes matters.

What Sets you Apart

• 3+ years' experience in a legal role (attorney or paralegal) — energy or infrastructure sector preferred.
• Familiarity with PPAs (a big plus).
• Strong command of Microsoft Office and contract management tools.

Note

Please attach your CV when applying for the job role

Legal Associate (Fintech)

Our client is a fast-scaling fintech business driving innovation in the financial infrastructure space across Africa and beyond. Their team works at the intersection of regulation, technology, and commerce, and they are looking for a detail-oriented Legal Associate to support their legal and compliance function across multiple jurisdictions.

Role Overview

The Legal Associate will play a key role in supporting licensing, regulatory, and commercial legal matters. You will work across jurisdictions on high-impact legal operations, helping ensure that the company remains compliant, well-structured, and contractually protected as it grows. This is a hands-on legal role ideal for a proactive and organised professional with fintech, payments, or cross-border regulatory experience.

Job Type:
Full-time

Location:
Cape Town

Workplace:
Hybrid

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB).
• Admitted attorney.
• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in a law firm or in-house legal department.
• Strong grounding in financial services, banking & payments, and contract/commercial law.
• Ability to work independently in both structured and fast-changing environments.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational abilities — must be meticulous.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Comfortable performing both strategic and administrative legal tasks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

Regulatory & Licensing

• Assist with the preparation and submission of new license applications across various jurisdictions, liaising with financial regulators as needed.
• Track and support the renewal and ongoing compliance of all licenses in coordination with senior legal and compliance teams.
• Conduct legal research into new regulations or laws that impact the business.

Contracts & Legal Documents

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex legal agreements, including vendor contracts, customer agreements, and technology service terms.
• Assist in the preparation of internal legal documents such as board resolutions, templates, and legal filings.

Corporate & Secretarial Work

• Support the establishment of new legal entities in multiple jurisdictions.
• Maintain company registers, file annual returns, and ensure statutory compliance across the group.

Banking, PSPs & Counterparties

• Assist with onboarding and maintaining relationships with banks, payment service providers, and trading counterparties.
• Prepare and organise legal documentation for counterparty onboarding and due diligence processes.

Regulatory Engagements & Support

• Provide support during engagements with regulators, banking partners, and PSPs.
• Ensure adherence to legal directives and guidelines issued by authorities.
• Provide day-to-day support to the company's senior legal counsel as required.

Our client is an Africa-focused investment firm providing mezzanine and senior debt financing to mid-market businesses and renewable energy projects across the continent. The firm is seeking a Legal Associate to support its legal function across all business areas, including the Mezzanine Fund, GreenX Fund, and Education Fund.

About The Role
This is a mid-level role suited to a qualified attorney with a strong background in banking and finance law, ideally gained at a leading law firm. Exposure to M&A transactions, investment funds, or financial services is beneficial. The successful candidate will work directly with senior leadership, with involvement in a range of legal, compliance, and transactional matters across the firm's operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Review legal agreements and documents relating to new and existing investments across various funds.
• Advise on deal structures, term sheets, and other investment-related documentation.
• Draft and update legal templates, contracts, and internal correspondence.
• Support fundraising activities, including investor onboarding and fund documentation.
• Provide legal insight during due diligence and transaction execution.
• Manage litigation matters affecting portfolio companies, with input on strategy and risk.
• Oversee compliance with FAIS, KYC, AML, and internal policies.
• Provide company secretarial and board support where required.
• Report on legal and compliance matters to senior management and stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified and admitted attorney (South Africa) with at least 4 years' post-qualification experience (including articles).
• Solid experience in a reputable Banking and Finance practice; M&A exposure advantageous.
• Experience with investment funds, financial service providers, or lenders is preferred.
• Litigation background (particularly in debt recovery or insolvency) would be beneficial.
• Strong drafting skills and exceptional attention to detail are essential.
• Familiarity with compliance and company secretarial responsibilities is a plus.

JOB DUCK IS HIRING A LEGAL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

For ambitious, culturally diverse, curious minds seeking booming careers, Job Duck unlocks and nurtures your potential. We connect you with rewarding, remote job opportunities with US-based employers who recognize and appreciate your skills, allowing you to not just survive but thrive. As a lifestyle company we ensure that everybody working here has a fantastic time, which is why we've earned the Great Place to Work Certification for 4 years

Role Overview

If you're someone who thrives in a fast-paced legal environment and enjoys keeping things organized, the Legal Operations Associate role is for you. You'll play a key part in supporting legal operations by ensuring case files are accurate, deadlines are met, and communications are clear. Your attention to detail and proactive mindset will help attorneys stay focused and clients feel supported. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems, staying steady under pressure, and making a meaningful impact behind the scenes.

Schedule:

Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST (USA)

Your Responsibilities Will Include but Are Not Limited To:

• Supporting the Director of Legal Operations in managing active cases
• Tracking tasks, managing deadlines, and following up with attorneys
• Reviewing and updating case files for accuracy and completeness
• Identifying gaps, risks, or missing information in client files
• Preparing, formatting, and maintaining legal documents professionally
• Conducting quality checks on documents and communications
• Communicating effectively with clients and attorneys
• Assisting with other tasks as needed to support legal operations

What We're Looking For:

• At least one to two years of experience in legal operations or case management
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple matters and prioritize effectively
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to take calls and support client communications
• Familiarity with Project management and task tracking, case file review and documentation management, Issue-spotting and risk identification, basic spreadsheet proficiency for trackers and logs, multitasking and deadline management, legal document formatting and maintenance
• Tech-savviness with legal software
• Resourceful and solution-focused
• Detail-oriented and thorough
• Growth-oriented and open to feedback
• Professional and collaborative
• Adaptable and steady under pressure
• Reliable computer setup (laptop/PC, headset, stable internet min. 10 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload)
• Quiet, distraction-free remote work environment

What's In It for You?

• Monthly compensation starting from
  1150 USD to 1220 USD
• Paid time off
  and holiday pay.
• Referral and annual
  bonuses.
• 100% Remote,
  Full-Time, Long-Term Career Opportunity.
• Parental leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Dedicated support from our team.
• A chance to work with clients who share our values.

Ready to dive in?
Apply now and make sure to follow all the instructions

DISCLAIMER: Every candidate must pass each step in our application process to become part of our team. Ensure you have all the required documentation ready to streamline your application process.

This is a full-time on-site role in Muscat, Oman for a Legal Counsel. The Legal Counsel will provide legal advice to the Firm, negotiate contracts, prepare legal documents, resolve legal issues, and manage outside counsel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a law firm, focusing on providing legal counsel to multinational clients.
• Strong expertise in multiple areas of law, such as corporate law, commercial transactions, employment law, intellectual property, and litigation.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Proven track record of handling complex legal matters and delivering practical and strategic legal advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts to clients and stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to understand clients' business objectives and provide commercially viable legal solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to mentor and develop junior legal professionals.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to maintaining client confidentiality.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and prioritize competing demands
• Experience managing outside counsel
• Fluency in English and Arabic
• Law degree from an accredited university

Purpose of Role

The Legal Counsel is responsible to ensures that the company adheres to the law, provides legal advice to the business, primarily involving the review and/or drafting of various legal documents. Responsible to give advice and monitor all applicable aspects of it, ensuring that the business follows the proper legally commercial procedure in every way possible.

Context of Role

• Giving accurate and timely advise to the business in a variety of legal topics;
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating of all commercial contracts for the Tharisa group, including (but not limited to) mining contracts, project financing, FIDIC (white book, silver book, red book and green book) agreements, joint venture agreements, share subscription agreements, power purchase agreements, intellectual property, licence agreements, acquisition agreements, shareholder agreements, confidentiality agreements, lease agreement, immovable property purchase/sale agreements, employment/consultancy agreements;
• Reviewing and negotiating all financing and security agreements required for Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd;
• Attending to and advising generally on all legal matters of the Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd;
• Attending to e-mails from the directors, offices and employees within the Tharisa Group and providing the legal advice as required;
• Attending/responding to notices and official communications from the DMRE;
• Noting and lodging of objections, appeals and applications under the MPRDA, NEMA, NEM:WA and NEM:AQA;
• Attending to all disputes and litigation and briefing/instructing company attorneys (where required) on behalf of Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd;
• Advising on labour disputes;
• Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in law.
• Admitted as an attorney / Legal practitioner in terms of the Legal Practice Act, 2014.
• Completed Master's degree in a specific field of the law will be considered an advantage.

Job specific experience

• Proven experience as a Legal Advisor/counsel in the mining environment and/or corporate and commercial law environment.
• Corporate and/or project finance law and administrative law expertise will be considered an advantage.

Inherent requirements

Must be medically fit.

Closing date

04 November 2025.

The Company: Dotdigital is a thriving global community of passionate, dedicated professionals, committed to the collective success of the organization and its clients. Our core principles of innovation, teamwork, and client-focused solutions drive us to approach challenges with a growth mindset and take ownership of our work. At Dotdigital, collaboration and curiosity pave the way for meaningful connections and learning opportunities with diverse peers. Our work environment encourages knowledge sharing, fosters exploration, and cherishes creative ideas. Combined, these guide us towards a shared vision in which brands around the world exceed customer expectations through the adoption of responsible marketing practices.

The Product: Dotdigital is an all-in-one customer experience and data platform (CXDP) that empowers marketing teams to exceed customer expectations with highly personalized cross-channel journeys. With Dotdigital, marketers can seamlessly unify, enrich, and segment customer data. Breaking down data silos, Dotdigital streamlines decision-making and paves the way for marketing creativity that delivers customer engagement at scale. With powerful AI capabilities, Dotdigital makes it easy to automate deeply personalized experiences across web, email, SMS, WhatsApp, chat, push, social, ads, and more.

We are looking for a commercially-focused and proactive Legal Counsel to join our dynamic global legal team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a lawyer to become a true business partner, providing pragmatic advice and directly contributing to the success of a fast-growing SaaS company. You will be a key advisor to the business, working across all departments and global locations. This role offers a diverse and engaging workload, with a primary focus on commercial contracts and data privacy, and the chance to make a real impact on our legal and compliance framework. As Legal Counsel, you will be integral to our global operations, responsible for providing clear, actionable legal advice.

Your responsibilities will include:

• • Commercial Contracts: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer SaaS agreements, data processing agreements (DPAs), supplier contracts, partnership agreements, and NDAs.
• Legal Advice: Acting as a trusted advisor to the business, providing pragmatic legal advice on various matters.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Partnering with teams across the business, particularly Sales, Customer Success, Marketing, and Product, to provide legal support that enables growth while managing risk.
• Process Improvement: Supporting the continuous improvement of our legal processes, including the development and maintenance of contract templates, legal playbooks, and training materials for the business.
• Compliance & Research: Monitoring legal and regulatory developments relevant to the SaaS and digital marketing industry, and translating them into actionable guidance for the business.
• General Legal Support: Assisting the wider legal team on strategic projects, corporate matters, and dispute resolution as required.

You are a pragmatic and proactive lawyer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about technology. You excel at balancing legal risk with business objectives and can communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal colleagues with ease.

We are looking for someone with:

• • Qualification: A qualified lawyer in a common law jurisdiction with over 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Experience: Proven experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, gained either in-house or at a reputable law firm (experience with tech/SaaS clients is a significant advantage).
• Data Privacy Expertise: A strong understanding of data protection and privacy law is essential for this role.
• Commercial Acumen: You are commercially astute with a problem-solving mindset, focused on finding solutions and enabling the business to achieve its goals.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Attitude: A self-starter with a collaborative, can-do attitude, who is highly organised, detail-orientated, and eager to take on new challenges.
• UK-Headquartered Business: Experience with a UK-headquartered business is desired.

Don't just take our word for it - hear what your future colleagues have to say about working in our team:

"It's a fast-paced environment, but the work is genuinely interesting. We're a small, collaborative group, so you get great exposure to all parts of the business and a really varied workload. It's a great environment to develop as an in-house lawyer."

• 15min Screening Call with Team Talent
• Written Task
• First Stage Interview with the Hiring Manager
  Second Stage Interview with Key Business Stakeholders

• Parental leave
• Medical benefits
• Paid sick leave
• Dotdigital day
• Share reward
• Wellbeing reward
• Wellbeing Days
• Loyalty reward

As an equal opportunities employer we are committed to equality in all its practices with regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. If you have any additional requirements or adjustments to assist an application then please don't hesitate to contact us and advise us how we can best support you.

No agencies/recruiters please. We are only accepting applications directly from the applicants. If you are a recruiter, please refrain from reaching out to our staff about this position. Anything contrary will be treated as unsolicited approach under the applicable data protection law.

Sumsub
is a leading full-cycle verification platform that enables scalable compliance.

From identity and business verification to ongoing monitoring, our platform adapts to your risk appetite and market demands, ensuring global compliance. Customize analytics and workflows with our no-code interface.

With over 4,000 clients across fintech, crypto, transportation, trading, e-commerce, education, and iGaming—including Bitpanda, Wirex, Avis, Bybit, Vodafone, Duolingo, Kaizen Gaming, and TransferGo.

We're seeking a strong
Legal Counsel
to support Sumsub's growth in legal matters. The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and unafraid of building and optimizing new legal processes. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by structuring and streamlining legal workflows in a fast-paced, vibrant environment.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Conducting thorough reviews and risk assessments of expenditure-related contracts, including but not limited to service agreements, partnership contracts, and vendor/supplier agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable international laws and internal policies.
• Drafting, amending, and systematising the company's contractual templates, legally binding notices, and internal and external correspondence, whilst developing contract-related internal policies to accommodate new use cases, products, and vendor requests.
• Engaging in effective communication with counterparties and stakeholders, leading negotiations, strategic planning, and conflict management throughout the lifecycle of contracts, from inception to execution and renewal.
• Collaborating closely with internal teams—such as billing, sales, business development, and product management—to optimize the contract review process, and actively exploring and implementing contract automation tools to enhance efficiency and minimize manual workload.
• Providing expert guidance and support to various departments on contract-related matters, ensuring alignment with international legal requirements and company objectives.

About You:

Must Have:

• A university degree in law (LL.B., preferably LL.M.).
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in an international legal environment, particularly with a focus on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating expense-related agreements, vendor, supplier and service provider contracts, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Extensive experience in drafting and interpreting legal documents in English, with a strong emphasis on common law contracts.
• A solid understanding of the general principles of civil and common law frameworks, corporate law, and private international law.
• Exceptional attention to detail, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility.
• Fluent English.

Highly Preferable:

• In-depth knowledge of international privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR and other significant data protection frameworks.
• Familiarity with the common law legal system, particularly the laws of England and Wales, and experience working with contracts governed by English law.

Nice to Have:

• Native English speaker.
• Efficiency (reading, writing, and speaking) in Spanish and/or Portuguese.
• Prior experience in an consulting firm and/or within the IT or regtech sectors.
• Understanding of AML/KYC compliance principles.

What We Offer:

• Fully remote and flexible working schedule, with access to a coworking space (in some locations).
• Working with a product that matters. Our technology helps to protect millions of users and lots of online services worldwide.
• International project. Our team works from offices in Berlin, Limassol, London, and Miami, our customers are spread from Mexico and the USA to Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore.
• 1 extra day off to celebrate your birthday.
• 7 additional days to enjoy the Christmas & New Year holidays.
• 7 days of sick leave (without the need for documentation).
• Regular, fully covered team offsites to connect and collaborate.
• Learning opportunities and support to attend industry events with the team.

The hiring stages:

TA screening -> Hiring Manager Interview -> Assignment -> Final Interview.

Sounds like a great opportunity for your career development? Then go ahead and apply

We are a global community of innovators, creators, and thinkers, and we believe that diversity fuels our innovation. Sumsub is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Join us in shaping the future inclusively.