Akhona Pearl N Mehlo
Advocate
Summary
Experienced and detail-oriented legal professional with nearly ten years in practice. Skilled in research and client collaboration to effectively prevent or succeed in litigation
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
6
6
Languages
Work History
Advocate
Johannesburg Bar Association (JSA)
12.2024 - Current
- I am currently a junior Advocate practicing at Thulamela Chambers.
Pupil Advocate
Johannesburg Bar Association (JSA)
01.2024 - 09.2024
- I underwent full-time professional training as a pupil Advocate at the Johannesburg Bar Association.
Legal Counsel
Greenpeace International
07.2022 - 01.2024
- Company Overview: Climate Justice and Liability (Corporate Accountability)
- My role was to assist in leading the co-creation, coordination, implementation, and review of the litigation strategy of specific Climate Justice and Liability (CJL) campaign projects.
- I worked with GPI colleagues and the National and Regional Organisations (NROs), across multiple jurisdictions, advising them in multiple climate litigation strategies on corporate and governmental accountability.
- Specifically I worked on cases against Royal Dutch Shell in the Netherlands, Shell SA in relation to the Wild Coast and ENI the National Italian Petroleum company.
- Climate Justice and Liability (Corporate Accountability)
Attorney
MNS Attorneys
07.2021 - 01.2022
- I worked as an attorney on various matters ranging from commercial arbitrations, reviews and forensic investigation for Municipalities and government entities.
- I have been involved in Project Finance transactions and due diligence particularly in the energy space.
- I also managed several informal settlement upgrading projects on behalf of the City of Johannesburg as well as a project on land distribution for commercial farming.
Attorney
Centre for Applied Legal Studies
01.2018 - 08.2020
- I worked as an attorney in the Business and Human Rights Programme where we focused on the Financial Sector, Social Security and Extractives.
- My experience includes a combination of national litigation as well as regional and international advocacy particularly around the establishment of an international regulatory framework for holding Transnational Corporations accountable for human rights violations.
- At the regional level, I am familiar with processes at the African Commission, African Court and recently the Pan African Parliament.
- At the International level, I was involved in a treaty-making process for 5 years which has exposed me to the United Nations processes as well, where I eventually organised the first Africa Side Panel attended by Academics, Community Representatives, Civil Society Organisations and State representatives in order to critique the draft treaty on whether it was responsive to the African context.
- As part of my involvement in civil society I was also a member of a board of trustees and steering committee of a coalition of African Non-governmental Organisations.
Attorney
Legal Resources Centre
08.2017 - 12.2017
- Worked as an attorney in the Johannesburg Office, focusing on Immigration, Gender, Protest and Policing and Corporate Accountability.
Legal Researcher
Legal Resources Centre (LRC)
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Company Overview: Constitutional Litigation Unit (CLU)
- As a researcher I contributed to the organisation’s research, litigation and advocacy outputs within the Land and Extractives focus area.
- Specifically this entailed; research towards and drafting of submissions pertaining to law and policy reform domestically, regionally and globally; identifying and coordinating relevant advocacy interventions in consultation with the focus area group/ team; coordinating and implementing the communications strategy of relevant focus area in line with the LRC’s overall communications strategy (including participating in campaigns, media writing etc.); oversight of various initiatives that link to the focus area such as those involving particular research collaborations, social media applications and websites; seeking and cultivating collaboration with partner organisations (national and international); representing the LRC at meeting, seminars, workshops and conferences.
- Constitutional Litigation Unit (CLU)
Legal Researcher
Constitutional Court of South Africa
01.2016 - 08.2016
- Being a researcher for Justice Jafta entailed writing analytical summaries of written arguments or evidence and assessing arguments in light of academic legal literature and case law; carrying out detailed research on particular topics; preparing prehearing memoranda, media summaries and opinions as well as identifying key issues in matters to be heard; cite checking draft judgments before delivery; administration of Court papers and case management; and public relations.
- This required knowledge of, and the ability to apply legal principles, concepts and procedures; familiarity and experience in the use of a variety of legal research sources, the ability to draft or write clearly and concisely under pressure; the ability to work independently and in a team, plan and manage priorities.
Legal Intern and Rapporteur
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
06.2015 - 12.2015
- Conducting legal research on procedural and substantive questions arising from applications as well as conducting research for purposes of drafting case notes, judgments, papers and speeches to be presented by staff and members of the Court; assisting with setting up the Legal Aid Scheme of the Court; assisting in Organising the African Union Continental Judicial Dialogue through proposals towards the finalisation of Dialogue Themes, drafting letters and speeches and assisting with preparation of protocol materials; drafted a report on the African Court Pilot Moot Court Competition with recommendations for the African Union.
Research Assistant
Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CEPIL Ghana)
08.2014 - 11.2014
- I helped compile a report on the role of women in artisanal/small scale mining in Ghana for purposes of amending the Minerals and Mining Act of Ghana.
- I was tasked with reviewing existing policy, legal and regulatory frameworks in the mining sector including those on the environment and financial assistance and to propose recommendations that integrate equality and equity in mining policies, laws, regulations, standards, and codes thereby advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Research Assistant
Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria (UP)
01.2014 - 06.2014
- I worked at the Women’s Rights Clinic/Gender Unit where we assisted the African Commission’s Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa in carrying out her mandate by drafting a general Comment on Article 6 (b) of the Protocol to the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women dealing with child marriage as well as Malawi’s Shadow Report on child marriage.
- We also helped develop the Gender Unit website for it to be the portal of first instance when researching gender and women’s rights issues in Africa.
Candidate Attorney
Gildenhuys Malatji Inc -GM (Law Firm)
04.2011 - 11.2013
- I have served my articles in the Motor Vehicle Accident (personal injury) Department in 2011, and from January 2012– June 2012 I worked in the Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law Department.
- From July 2012 – December 2012, I worked in the Employment Law Department.
- I left while working at the Corporate Commercial Department, having been admitted as an attorney.
- During my time at Gildenhuys I learnt the following: Drafting, setting down and attending court to move applications; Instructing Sheriffs and assessors; Drafting notices and pleadings in terms of the rules of court; Serving and filing documents in the High Court, Magistrates Court, Labour Court, Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), South African Local Governing Bargaining Council (SALGBC) and Constitutional Court; Conducting consultations, inspection in locos and legal research; Investigating all aspects of a case e.g. tracing third party, finding witnesses and obtaining necessary documents from relevant personnel; Briefing and following up with Counsel; Ensuring office files are organised; Indexing and paginating court files; Preparation for trial; Conducting merit assessments, drafting opinions and memoranda, advising client on prospect of success and strategy adopted on the matter; Noting settlements between parties as an order of court.
- Assisting with company secretarial functions such drafting Memoranda of Incorporation, resolutions updating information at the CIPC; giving advice on Restraint of Trade Agreements, on whether contracts are compliant with applicable legislation e.g. the CPA, NCA, Competition Commission Act, the National Payment Systems Act as well as the PMFA amongst others; Assisting with ensuring company complies with FICA.
Clerk
International Collector’s Associates – McAlvany (USA)
10.2008 - 01.2009
- Liaising with clients, updating files, processing transactions, data capturing, and filing.
Care worker
Child Welfare Tshwane
02.2008 - 06.2008
- Caring for orphaned or vulnerable children and helping them with schoolwork, assisting and empowering their families in applying for grants, food parcels and creating CVs etc.
Teacher Assistant
Pretoria High School for Girls
02.2006 - 12.2006
- Updating student files, updating inventory, marking, invigilating, and assisting with camps.
House Committee Member
University of Pretoria (UP)
08.2004 - 08.2005
- Organising open days, senior farewells, Christmas dinners, ground staff and end year functions.
- Designing and updating the residence website.
Education
Cambridge Certificate - Climate Change for Decision-Makers: Challenges, Transformations, Strategies
LLM - International Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa
LLB - Law
B.Com - Law, Business Management and Public Administration
Consumer Protection Act - Short Course
CE@UP
Senior Certificate - HG: English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology, French
Timeline
Advocate
Johannesburg Bar Association (JSA)
12.2024 - Current
Pupil Advocate
Johannesburg Bar Association (JSA)
01.2024 - 09.2024
Legal Counsel
Greenpeace International
07.2022 - 01.2024
Attorney
MNS Attorneys
07.2021 - 01.2022
Attorney
Centre for Applied Legal Studies
01.2018 - 08.2020
Attorney
Legal Resources Centre
08.2017 - 12.2017
Legal Researcher
Legal Resources Centre (LRC)
08.2016 - 07.2017
Legal Researcher
Constitutional Court of South Africa
01.2016 - 08.2016
Legal Intern and Rapporteur
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
06.2015 - 12.2015
Research Assistant
Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CEPIL Ghana)
08.2014 - 11.2014
Research Assistant
Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria (UP)
01.2014 - 06.2014
Candidate Attorney
Gildenhuys Malatji Inc -GM (Law Firm)
04.2011 - 11.2013
Clerk
International Collector’s Associates – McAlvany (USA)
10.2008 - 01.2009
Care worker
Child Welfare Tshwane
02.2008 - 06.2008
Teacher Assistant
Pretoria High School for Girls
02.2006 - 12.2006
House Committee Member
University of Pretoria (UP)
08.2004 - 08.2005
LLB - Law
B.Com - Law, Business Management and Public Administration
Cambridge Certificate - Climate Change for Decision-Makers: Challenges, Transformations, Strategies
LLM - International Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa
Consumer Protection Act - Short Course
CE@UP
Senior Certificate - HG: English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology, French
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