Legal Counsel- Manufacturing & Trade at Reeds Africa Consult

Key responsibilities

Legal Counsel – Manufacturing

1. To understand the fundamentals of our client’s work and their business goals.
2. To understand the client’s industries and the stakeholders involved.
3. Provide a wide range of legal services designed to protect manufacturing companies, their strategic position, products, customers, and brand.
4. Advice manufacturers on the many aspects of running their business, including contracting, subcontracting, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions, financing trade
5. practices, supply and distribution chain management, antitrust, labor and employment, health & safety, intellectual property, tax, environmental and real estate.
6. Function as an extension of the client’s team, to offer legal advice relating to new products which are developed, produced, and introduced to the market.
7. Ensure that all manufactured goods meet legal standards for all countries of operation.
8. Monitor and advice upon the entire process of import and export law to ensure any supply chain and logistical issues are resolved swiftly.
9. Advise on the sale and export of finished products.
10. Represent manufacturing companies in negotiation and documentation of term loan and revolving credit facility with lenders.
11. Defend manufacturing companies in products liability suits, civil and criminal enforcement matters, accident investigations, whistle-blower, and discrimination claims.
12. Represent manufacturing clients in compliance and regulatory matters.
13. Represent international and domestic manufacturers in OSHA investigations.
14. Represent manufacturers against claims of fraud, product liability, product defects & safety, breach of consumer warranties, guarantees and violation of laws.
15. Support and assist with corporate transactions, capital investments and other strategic projects.
16. Manage brand protection and patents specific to manufacturing innovations.
17. Establishing the intellectual property rights of designs and dealing with any issues arising therein.
18. Advise on operational, financial and regulatory issues that affect the running and success of manufacturers.
19. Ensure compliance with local, county, national, and international laws that regulate the manufacturing industry.
20. Conduct legal research and investigate court cases in order to issue relevant legal advice.

Legal Operations

• Work in accordance with detailed procedures and quality standards contained office handbook and relevant procedures contained in the server and practice management tool.
• Managing multiple clients, matters, and legal activities that carry varying deadlines.
• Ensure services are provided in a timely and efficient manner.
• To take initiative to ensure the client is informed regularly on progress and costs.
• Provide weekly matter work in progress reports to the Partner.
• To use technology in the delivery of legal services.

Finance & Accounting

• To discuss with clients the possible costs of the litigation including the legal fees.
• To bill and collect monthly personal billings of five times your salary.
• To ensure upfront payment of: 100& of disbursements, tax & government fees and 70% of legal fees. With 30% balance of legal fees at conclusion of the matter.

Business Development

• Continuously innovate on how to provide great client experiences.
• Obtain at least 1 new instruction from each client monthly.
• Attend & organize conferences, trade shows and other networking events.

People & Culture

• To put your own personal agenda aside and always consider what is the right thing for the firm.
• To behave according to the guidelines in the firm’s employer brand book.
• To build strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.