The role
As legal counsel, you advise your company on its rights and obligations and protect it from legal risk. You draft and review contracts, handle corporate matters such as board and shareholder meetings, follow disputes with outside lawyers and keep managers informed of new regulations. You are the first person teams call when a legal question comes up.
Who is hiring
Banks, insurers, telecom operators, mining and energy companies, industrial groups, law firms, NGOs and international organisations hire legal counsel. Most roles are on-site or hybrid in capital cities and business hubs, with some remote contract and regulatory work for diaspora and foreign companies operating in Africa.
Background and career path
Legal counsel usually hold a master's in business, private or labour law, and some have also passed the bar. They grow into senior counsel, head of legal and general counsel or company secretary.