Corporate lawyers are vital to business since they ensure that organisations operate within legal boundaries while driving growth. They work behind the scenes, offering legal counsel, reviewing business decisions, and managing complex corporate transactions. From contracts to regulatory compliance, corporate lawyers play an essential role in every business’s success.
If you are interested in both business and law, this career path could be the perfect fit. However, many aspiring legal professionals wonder, “What does a corporate lawyer do?”
In this article, we will explore what a corporate lawyer does, the qualifications required, and how they contribute to the smooth functioning of businesses, especially in South Africa.
Table of Contents
Who Is a Corporate Lawyer?
Before we explore the question, “What does a corporate lawyer do?”, it is essential first to understand who a corporate lawyer is. A corporate lawyer is a legal expert who advises businesses on their rights and obligations under the law. They represent the company as a whole rather than individual shareholders or employees. That means these lawyers assist companies in making informed decisions that comply with applicable regulations.
Specialising in corporate law, these lawyers handle legal matters related to starting, managing, and running businesses, such as partnerships and limited liability companies. As a result, they can work with different types of clients across various industries. Their roles include helping these clients negotiate deals and prepare important legal documents for essential business transactions.
What Does a Corporate Lawyer Do?
Corporate lawyers play an essential role in ensuring that businesses operate within legal frameworks while pursuing their objectives. They provide essential legal guidance on a wide range of matters, from contracts to corporate governance. Here are some of the key responsibilities and roles of corporate lawyers:
- Representing Clients: Corporate lawyers represent their clients in legal proceedings and at board or regulatory meetings, preparing defences in cases where the company faces litigation.
- Facilitating Mergers and Acquisitions: These lawyers guide businesses through the process of merging or acquiring other companies by handling negotiations and drafting legal documents.
- Ensuring Compliance with Securities Laws: They help publicly traded companies comply with securities regulations, preventing insider trading and fraud by assisting with federal registrations and necessary reports.
- Managing Contracts: They create, review, and negotiate contracts to ensure all agreements comply with the law and benefit the business.
Corporate Lawyer Qualifications
While understanding what a corporate lawyer does, you must also know the qualifications required to become one. In other words, if you are considering a career as a corporate lawyer, you must meet the specific educational and professional qualifications that prepare you for the challenges of corporate law. Here is an overview of the essential qualifications needed to pursue a career as a corporate lawyer:
- Bachelor of Laws Degree: To become a corporate lawyer, one must earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from an accredited university. This degree teaches learners important legal topics like contract law, commercial law, and corporate law, helping them build the skills they need for their careers.
- Postgraduate Studies: While understanding what a corporate lawyer does, it is essential to know that aspiring corporate lawyers can also pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate Law or similar subjects. This advanced study allows them to focus on mergers and acquisitions, securities law, or corporate governance, giving them a better understanding of complex legal matters.
- Certifications and Specialised Legal Training: Additional certifications and specialised training allow aspiring corporate lawyers to improve their qualifications. Courses in specific areas of corporate law, such as compliance or financial regulations, help enhance their skills and demonstrate their commitment to the profession.
How to Become a Corporate Lawyer in South Africa?
Though we have discussed the academic qualifications required to become a corporate lawyer, we will now guide you through the steps to pursue this profession. Each step is essential for preparing you to handle corporate law challenges.
So, while you are trying to understand what a corporate lawyer does, you must know the steps to become a successful corporate lawyer. They are as follows:
- Complete Your Matric: To begin your journey to becoming a corporate lawyer, you must complete your matric successfully. However, remember that you must achieve the required marks in specific subjects to qualify for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at a university.
- Pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB): Once you pass matric, the next step is to enrol in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme at a recognised university. This degree usually takes four years to complete and covers various areas of law, including corporate law.
- Gain Practical Experience through Vacation Work: Many law firms offer vacation work opportunities to students, especially those in their third or fourth year of study. Participating in vacation work during your university holidays gives you practical experience in the legal field.
- Complete Law Articles: After earning your LLB, you must complete your law articles, which involves working as a candidate attorney for two years at a registered law firm. During this time, you will work under the supervision of an experienced attorney.
- Prepare for the Attorneys’ Admission Exams: Once you finish your articles, the next step is to prepare for the board exams. These exams assess your understanding of various legal principles and procedures.
- Apply for Attorney Admission: After completing your articles and passing the board exams, you can apply for admission as an attorney. This process involves submitting your application to the court, along with the necessary documents.
- Work as a Corporate Lawyer: Once you are admitted as an attorney, you can start your career as a corporate lawyer. You can advise clients on legal matters related to business operations, transactions, and compliance. You can also help companies navigate the complexities of corporate law.
Also, Get Insights on How To Become An Attorney In South Africa
What are the Essential Corporate Lawyer Skills?
In order to lead a career as a corporate lawyer, you must have a diverse set of skills. These skills will help you find your way through the complexities of corporate law and enable you to provide valuable legal support to businesses. So, while you understand what a corporate lawyer does, you must know the essential skills required by these lawyers.
The following are some of the top skills that a successful corporate lawyer must possess:
- Strong knowledge of corporate law, including civil procedures and contracts.
- Excellent communication skills for both verbal and written interactions.
- Practical negotiation skills to resolve conflicts and reach agreements.
- Research abilities to stay updated on changing laws and regulations.
- Analytical thinking to draw reasonable conclusions from limited information.
- Thorough knowledge of regulatory compliance in various industries.
- Skills in managing intellectual property rights and disputes.
Explore the 7 skills for a successful law career in South Africa
Understanding Corporate Lawyer Career Opportunities
As you learn what a corporate lawyer does, you must know that these lawyers enjoy a dynamic career path with various opportunities for growth and specialisation. After completing two years of Articles of Clerkship and passing the attorney’s admission examinations, LLB graduates may start as associates in large law firms, with the potential to advance to senior associate, director, or partner roles over time.
As they progress, corporate lawyers take on more responsibilities, ranging from legal research to project management. They can also work in private practice as in-house counsel or representing diverse clients, offering tailored legal advice and risk management. This versatility in career options allows corporate lawyers to specialise in mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, or corporate governance, enhancing their expertise and pay scale.
Conclusion
A career as a corporate lawyer offers a mix of legal expertise and business acumen, making it a fulfilling path for those interested in both fields. These lawyers are crucial in guiding businesses through the complexities of legal compliance, contracts, and corporate governance. However, if you are considering what a corporate lawyer does, you must have a solid educational foundation, practical experience, and essential skills. With these in place, you can thrive in various roles in private practice or as in-house counsel.
Start your legal career with the Regenesys’s Bachelor of Law (LLB) programme! With a well-structured curriculum and expert faculty, we will guide you towards a successful and fulfilling career in law.
FAQs on What Does a Corporate Lawyer Do?
What does a corporate lawyer do day to day?
Corporate lawyers engage in various activities daily, including drafting and reviewing contracts, advising clients on legal compliance, negotiating deals, preparing for litigation, and attending meetings with stakeholders.
What qualifications do you need to become a corporate lawyer?
To become a corporate lawyer, you typically need to earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, followed by practical experience through articles of clerkship and passing the attorneys’ admission examinations.
How do corporate lawyers contribute to business success?
Corporate lawyers help businesses navigate legal challenges, ensure compliance with regulations, manage risks, and facilitate transactions. Their expertise in contracts and corporate governance enables companies to make informed decisions.
What skills are essential for corporate lawyers?
Key skills for corporate lawyers include strong knowledge of corporate law, excellent communication abilities, practical negotiation skills, analytical thinking, and research capabilities.
What career opportunities are available for corporate lawyers?
Corporate lawyers can work in various settings, including large law firms and as in-house counsel for corporations. They can also specialise in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, or corporate governance.
