Gabaipone Constance Sello
Admitted Attorney
Pretoria
Summary
Dedicated, forward-thinking Senior Manager: Legal Services with a proven ability to effectively manage teams of 8 employees, including 3 direct reports, to accomplish challenging objectives. Possesses a clear vision that guides a cohesive and high-performing team, resulting in a track record of achieving excellent results in supporting the company\'s objectives.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
6
6
Languages
Work History
Senior Manager, Legal
Transnet Property
Johannesburg
05.2022 - Current
- Ensuring organisational compliance with prevailing statutory and regulatory requirements and drive the implementation of changes in legislation and regulation pertaining to commercial law,contracts law,litigation and property law within the organisation
- Providing expert legal advice in drafting, vetting and amending significant, strategic commercial contracts and agreements across Transnet Property, ensuring legal soundness and that the interests of the organisation are protected
- Providing strategic leadership and guidance in the management and delivery of litigation,commercial law,contracts law and property law services
- Minimising the company’s exposure to litigation risks arising from mediocre or deficient contract management practices by developing strategies and governance mechanisms to address business risks
- Providing thought leadership and legal advice on all legal aspects which may have an impact on procurement
- Identifying existing and emerging legislation relevant to the business and ensure that risks that may arise from compliance requirements are understood by leadership
- Conducting risk assessments and analysis as appropriate to identify key risk areas and ensure implementation of appropriate mitigation measures
- Ensuring mitigation of legal risk exposure through expert and professional legal knowledge and advice
- Recommending enhancements to controls to minimise and reduce litigation, legal and contractual risks and ensure that the required assurance is provided
- Coaching and mentoring employees to build internal capacity
- Analysing governance principles, policies and internal controls to develop action plans for ensuring compliance
- Continuous review and update policies and procedures, within the Department’s functional area for approval
- Managing all concerns on commercial corporate law, compliance, internal governance, legal support to the regulatory issues, legal aspects on corporate finance
- Reducing the company’s reliance on portfolios handled by external attorneys (panel of external attorneys like negotiation, drafting and review of contracts and risk assessment)
- Managing internal and external attorneys
- Establishing and maintaining a reputational risk management philosophy and culture within the organisation, monitor and report on reputational risk that impact on the organisation’s performance
- Coordinating and preparing external internal report for Exco, Group Exco, Board risk committee and other Board reports
- Development and implementation of the company’s objectives and strategy, provide high quality support to the business as required by interacting with different legal and business stakeholders
- Managing relationship with clients, plan and manage projects and matters through to completion, including resourcing
- Managing external legal team and represent the company on relevant industry forums and professional bodies where required
- Managing and creating awareness by embedding legal policy and control requirements in all areas of the business
- Providing objective and constructive feedback and openly sharing knowledge and expertise
- Contributing to industry wide initiatives and having a good network amongst peer group externally ensure complete compliance with all regulatory bodies
- Working independently with minimal supervision and had the ability to supervise
- Providing highly specialised legal advice and support to the dedicated area of support, identify the legal risks and mitigate
- Performed in the Acting General Manager: Legal Risk and Compliance position with Delegated Authority several times during the period 2021 to 2024
- Led the team effectively to boost both productivity and morale.
- Guided multidisciplinary teams in achieving project objectives with high-quality outcomes.
- Regularly achieved or surpassed annual performance goals established by senior leadership.
- Engaged in close collaboration with cross-departmental teams to ensure collective success.
- Enhanced team performance through extensive training and promoting teamwork.
- Guided junior staff in developing skills and advancing their careers within the organization.
- Effectively managed budgets to maintain strict control over expenditures and financial goals.
- Adapted effectively to complex situations and swiftly changing environments with confidence.
- Achieved higher customer satisfaction by delivering projects promptly and ensuring seamless communication.
- Cultivated a culture of perpetual learning via regular seminars, workshops, and training opportunities for staff.
- Drove successful initiatives that effectively tackled client pain points, enhancing company reputation.
- Mitigated risks through a strategic framework, enhancing project success and securing company operations.
Acting Principal Legal Advisor
Transnet Property
Johannesburg
04.2019 - 04.2022
- The same duties as the above
- Reason for Leaving: Promotion
Legal Advisor-Litigation and Collection
Transnet Property
Johannesburg
05.2014 - 04.2019
- Litigation and Collection/Recoveries, Defending and instituting complex and contentious litigation cases
- Management of the litigation process with external attorneys to ensure prompt running of matters, mitigation of risk and safeguarding Transnet’s interests at all times
- Ensure formulation, finalisation and commissioning of relevant court documents
- Handling a broad range of litigation and pre-litigation matters and supporting the business transversally in assessing and mitigating associated litigation risk
- Provide hands-on advice and counsel to various internal clients to proactively address and mitigate potential risks
- Attend consultation with Counsel and attorneys to ensure that Transnet legal interest is protected, and avail all required documentation in support of a legal process
- Provide legal support to Corporate and other business units within Property, at external judicial structures, i.e the courts through appointed external legal representation
- Provision of Legal advice to operations in support of business and to ensure that there is consistence compliance with legislation, and Transnet Policies
- Ensure legislation compliance by various Business units within Transnet Property
- Handle incoming legal processes and documents
- Maintaining current and accurate litigation management records
- General legal work
- Vetting of business submissions to ensure compliance with and adherence to relevant governance processes
- Collaborate to fulfil various administrative and litigation-related responsibilities
- Compilation of monthly legal reports for various forums and committees in Transnet Property
- Provide highly specialised legal advice and support to the dedicated area of support, identify the legal risks and mitigate
- Performance in Administrative Law functions, such as consideration of queries and complaints from the office of the Public Protector and Human Right Commission and providing a response thereto, as well as responding to PAIA requests
- Monitoring, summarizing, and analyzing case law, legislation, and administrative policy and practices
- Interviewing witnesses, gathering, reviewing and analyzing relevant documents, and drafting responses to letters and prepare recommendations
- Hands-on management of external legal counsel regarding strategy, proceedings, and billings
- Perform such other tasks and projects as may be required from time to time
- Reason for Leaving: Acting on a higher position
Assistant Manager: Legal and Ethics Division
South African Council for Educators
Pretoria
03.2009 - 07.2012
- Providing Legal advice on labour matters to the council and educators
- Drafting of legal opinions and reports for the Disciplinary Committee, Executive Committee and Council
- Conducting workshops
- Advocacy and Outreaches on the Code of Professional Ethics
- Investigating claims against educators who breached the Code of Professional Ethics
- Prosecuting educators who breached the Code Professional Ethics
- Conducting Mitigations
- Sitting in Appeal proceedings
- General Litigation
- Reason for Leaving: Pursue my career further
Professional Assistant
Pule Inc
Johannesburg
06.2008 - 02.2009
- Provide legal advice on projects and vetting of contracts
- Drafting of court Pleadings, vetting, drafting of lease agreements and provide property specific legal advice
- Debt Collection/Recovery
- Eviction applications, rescission applications on eviction matters
- Commercial Litigation and General Litigation
- Advise on the law, legislation and provide legal opinions
- Conduct disciplinary hearings, sitting in appeals, representing client in any labour dispute on behalf of and against client
- Investigation and assessment of Personal injury claims
- Advising clients on Compliance and Regulatory issues
- Reason for Leaving: Pursue my career further
Professional Assistant
Mohlala Attorneys
Johannesburg
02.2008 - 05.2008
- Civil Litigation, defending RAF matters at court, research the law as well as drafting legal opinion for clients
- Reason for Leaving: Pursue my career further
- Maintained strict confidentiality while handling sensitive data, protecting both company information and personal details of clients or employees.
- Provided exceptional customer service through prompt resolution of complaints or issues that arose during interactions with clients or partners.
- Assisted in budget preparation by tracking expenses diligently throughout the fiscal year for accurate reporting purposes at year-end financial reviews.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure successful completion of projects on time while adhering to quality standards set forth by the company.
- Proofread and edited documents for accuracy and grammar.
- Supported executive staff by managing calendars, scheduling appointments, and coordinating travel arrangements for business trips.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing exceptional administrative support and timely responses to inquiries.
Claims Handler
Road Accident Fund
Pretoria
03.2002 - 01.2008
- Investigate and assess merits on Personal injury claims as well as Suppliers’ claim
- Reason for Leaving: Pursue my career further
- Conducted comprehensive interviews of witnesses and claimants to gather facts and information.
- Adhered to regulatory requirements during the entire claims process, reducing potential liability risks for the organization.
- Assisted in onboarding of new claims processors to familiarize with company procedures, policies and processes.
- Reviewed applications and supporting documents to verify claims eligibility and accuracy.
Candidate Attorney
Delia Coetzee Attorneys
Secunda
05.2000 - 07.2001
- Civil Litigation, Motion Court Proceedings (Opposed and Unopposed)
- Section 65 Proceedings, Administration of Estate and Law Research
- Reason for Leaving: Pursue my career further
- Prepared essential legal documents for successful case outcomes and settlements.
- Kept abreast of developments in relevant legislation, ensuring that advice given was current and accurate at all times.
- Conducted thorough research on various areas of law, ensuring accurate information and strong case foundations.
- Managed multiple caseloads simultaneously without compromising quality or timeliness of work product.
Education
No Degree -
University of Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa 07.2024 - 06.2021
Post graduate Diploma - Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts
University of Johannesburg
Admission as a practicing Attorney - undefined
High Court of South Africa (TPD)
Some College (No Degree) - Industrial Relations
Allenby-In Home Study(now Damelin)
Durban 12.2024 - 12.2002
B. Proc Degree - undefined
University of Durban Westville
National Certificate - Matric
Mampoi High School
Skills
- written communication
- verbal communication
- negotiation
- analytical skills
- logical reasoning
- customer focus
- decision making
- coaching
- team work
- problem-solving
- strong work ethic
- ability to juggle priorities
- ability to meet deadlines
- ability to work under pressure
- assertiveness
- professionalism
- self-confidence
- results orientation
- confidentiality
- integrity and responsibility
- ability to solve complex problems creatively
- Strategic planning
- Talent development
- Provide support to Operation
- Resource allocation
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Data analytics
Driverslicenses
Code B
Coursework
- 2024, University of Cape Town, Business Risk Management
- 2023, Law Society of South Africa L.E.A.D, Litigation Strategy
- 2022, University of Cape Town, Legal aspect of Corporate Finance
- 2019, POP Training and Consulting, Management and Conflict Resolution Training
- 2017, Bowmans Gilfillan, Intellectual Property Training
- 2015, University of Johannesburg, Introduction to Commercial Property Programme
- 2013, Law Society of South Africa L.E.A.D, Eviction and Rental Recovery Course
- 2002, Practical Legal Training for Candidate Attorneys, Law Society of South Africa
- 1999, University of Durban Westville, LLB post graduate degree course
Timeline
Some College (No Degree) - Industrial Relations
Allenby-In Home Study(now Damelin)
12.2024 - 12.2002
No Degree -
University of Witwatersrand
07.2024 - 06.2021
Senior Manager, Legal
Transnet Property
05.2022 - Current
Acting Principal Legal Advisor
Transnet Property
04.2019 - 04.2022
Legal Advisor-Litigation and Collection
Transnet Property
05.2014 - 04.2019
Assistant Manager: Legal and Ethics Division
South African Council for Educators
03.2009 - 07.2012
Professional Assistant
Pule Inc
06.2008 - 02.2009
Professional Assistant
Mohlala Attorneys
02.2008 - 05.2008
Claims Handler
Road Accident Fund
03.2002 - 01.2008
Candidate Attorney
Delia Coetzee Attorneys
05.2000 - 07.2001
Post graduate Diploma - Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts
University of Johannesburg
Admission as a practicing Attorney - undefined
High Court of South Africa (TPD)
B. Proc Degree - undefined
University of Durban Westville
National Certificate - Matric
Mampoi High School
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