About the position
Seeking Legal Counsel to Support Our Banking Client!
We're searching for a talented Legal Counsel to join our client in the exciting world of banking. You'll play a vital role by providing effective support to the Senior Litigation Manager and the broader Legal Department.
- Admitted Attorney with 7 plus post articles experience.
- Work experience in a Banking environment.
- Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
- Excellent understanding of debtors’ accounts.
- Knowledge of the legal process / insolvencies and all Acts surrounding the collection of debts including security documents, company law of cession, pledge and notarial rights.
- Knowledge and understanding of magistrates and high court procedure.
- Knowledge and understanding of security agreements.
- Coordinate transition of non-performing accounts to legal division. Understand different business structures within the Group and how to litigate accordingly. Create and enhance the processes required for this purpose and have the ability to learn and work on numerous systems.
- Manage handover and litigation processes.
- Coordinate perfection of securities, including taking physical possession of assets and managing the disposal of assets.
- Attend to trial preparation as well as appear in court in a representative capacity on behalf of the company.
- Attend meetings with debtors and negotiate payment arrangements and settlements where required including matters which do not fall within the legal department but require assistance Active involvement in assisting and upskilling the collections department and business at large to ensure maximum effectiveness and outcomes.
- Manage a panel of attorneys and provide necessary training and support.
- Manage legal accounts on both a defended and undefended basis in conjunction with the relevant parties, in a manner which ensures maximum recovery to the Bank in the shortest possible time frame.
- Manage a team of coordinators, including other attorneys, and maximize productivity including up-skilling of the coordinators. Delegate tasks after assessing capabilities.
- Monitor insolvencies-liquidations, sequestrations, business rescue, offers of compromise, curatorship etc.
- Submit claims, sign affidavits, monitor dividend payments, check liquidation and distribution account for possible undue preference or dispositions, call for advanced dividends etc.
- Monitor restructured accounts.
- Explore, pursue and realize all avenues of recovery to maximize benefit to the Bank.
- Manage and contain all internal external costs associated with the collection of outstanding agreements.
- Compile and assist in coordinating all impairment other reports required, including monthly post- mortem report, active charge off report and ad hoc reports required by business and credit.
- Recommend write offs to the Credit Committee after all avenues of recovery have been exhausted.
- Encourage team effectiveness by promoting open discussion and consensus.
- Establish goals, standards and procedures for team members.
- Encourage initiative amongst team members.
- Manage meetings for both litigious matters and new business when input is required.
- Provide opinions and assist in legal drafting across the business.
- Assist business units, including to a large extent Asset Finance and Business Banking in negotiating and amending deals and contracts and making special arrangements. This involves balancing legal risks against commercial benefits.
- Manage expectations and prioritizing needs.
- Provide legal advice and input to credit department and business units.
- Analyse and advise on large volumes of agreements emanating from the Asset Finance Division and ensure prompt turnaround times due to the nature of the business.
Desired Skills:
- Persuasion
- Critical Thinking
- Negotiation
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Service Orientation
