MICHELLE VERWEY WATSON
Senior Legal Officer
Centurion
Summary
Dedicated and highly organized Legal Professional with over 10 years of experience in Labour Law, Employee Relations, and Corporate Compliance. Proven ability to manage corporate legal documentation, draft Standard Operating Procedures, and create and implement KPI frameworks to ensure full regulatory adherence. Expert in drafting precise legal documents across various practice areas and skilled in negotiation, dispute resolution, and litigation, including prior experience with Road Accident Fund claims and Family Law. Recognized for strong administrative capabilities and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
6
6
Certificates
Work History
Senior Legal Officer / In-House Legal
Chery International (Pty) Ltd
07.2024 - Current
- Corporate Legal & Drafting: Solely responsible for drafting, reviewing, and finalizing a high volume of legal documents for the motor industry, including Dealer Franchise Agreements, commercial contracts, MOIs, NDAs, and SLAs. Ensured all documentation was legally sound and protected corporate interests.
- Compliance & Governance: Spearheaded company-wide compliance with legal, regulatory, and risk management requirements. Developed, drafted, and trained staff on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to mitigate identified risks, ensuring robust corporate governance.
- Performance Management: Managed and assessed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all Heads of Department, aligning departmental goals with corporate strategy.
- Operational Legal Support: Provided legal counsel on all aspects of the business, including finance documentation, criminal proceedings, social media slander, MIOSA claims, and warranty disputes. Managed disciplinary hearings, appeals, and grievances.
- Procurement & Supplier Management: Led supplier negotiations, conducted FICA risk assessments, managed the onboarding process, and oversaw contract lifecycles, including annual reviews, price negotiations, and terminations. Prepared monthly supplier KPI performance reports.
Senior Group Human Resources Officer
Onelogix (Pty) Ltd
09.2019 - 2024
- Employee Relations & Labour Law: Managed all Labour Law and Employee Relations matters for 19 sub-divisions. Drafted and implemented the group's Disciplinary Codes and Policies, ensuring procedural and substantive fairness.
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation: Successfully represented the group at conciliations and arbitrations at the CCMA, NBCRFLI, and MibCo DRC. Prepared all legal documents, including applications for rescission of judgments. Demonstrated strong negotiation skills to resolve disputes and avoid litigation.
- Training & Development: Developed and delivered Labour Law training across various divisions, educating management on the LRA, BCEA, and correct disciplinary procedures. ESS Administrator, providing training and system support to all employees.
- Organizational & Administrative Excellence: Managed all administrative tasks related to employee relations, including drafting notices for disciplinary enquiries and Section 189 retrenchments, processing suspensions/dismissals, and compiling accurate EXCO and quarterly reports.
Professional Associate Attorney
Ehlers Attorneys / Spruyt Incorporated
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Managed all phases of Road Accident Fund litigation, from initial client consultation and quantum calculations to drafting pleadings, preparing for trial, and attending court. Demonstrated meticulous administrative skills by preparing comprehensive litigation bundles, managing case files, and ensuring all documentation was accurate and submitted on time.
Professional Associate Attorney
Stoltz Attorneys Incorporated
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Handled complex Family Law litigation, including divorce, maintenance, and children's court matters. Drafted all related pleadings, court orders, and matrimonial contracts. Represented clients in court for trials and motions, and managed all office administration including diary management and client liaison. Managed debt collection processes, utilizing negotiation skills to arrange repayment plans and settlement proposals with debtors.
Education
Baccalaureus Legum - Law
02-2014
National Senior Certificate - Grade 12
12-2009
Skills
Regulatory writing
Conciliation and arbitration experience
Drafting legal documents
Compliance risk assessment
Employment law expertise
Employment relations expertise
Conflict resolution
Effective time management
Detail-oriented administrative skills
Proficient in negotiations
Effective communication
Problem-solving skills
Thoroughness in task execution
Accomplishments
- Golden Key International Honour Society, North-West University, 2012-01-01
- Participated in Belatrix Hostel 1st Hockey Team, 2010-01-01
- Member of Privatus Psychology Academic Committee, 2011-01-01
- SCR, High School Ferdinand Postma, 2008-01-01
- Played Hockey 1st Team, High School Ferdinand Postma, 2008-01-01
- Played Hockey 1st Team, High School Ferdinand Postma, 2009-01-01
- Participated in athletics, 2005-01-01
- 2006-01-01
- 2007-01-01
- 2008-01-01
- 2009-01-01
Timeline
Senior Legal Officer / In-House Legal - Chery International (Pty) Ltd
07.2024 - Current
Senior Group Human Resources Officer - Onelogix (Pty) Ltd
09.2019 - 2024
Professional Associate Attorney - Ehlers Attorneys / Spruyt Incorporated
01.2018 - 01.2019
Professional Associate Attorney - Stoltz Attorneys Incorporated
01.2016 - 01.2017
North-West University - Baccalaureus Legum, Law
High School Ferdinand Postma - National Senior Certificate, Grade 12
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Certification
SA Labour Guide (2019)
Interests
Mediation and Negotiation
Personal Traits
- Autonomous
- Professional
- Analytical
- Accountable
- Detail-oriented
- Composed
Core Competencies And Skills
Comprehensive drafting of legal documents including Commercial Contracts, Franchise Agreements, MOIs, NDAs, SLAs, Pleadings, Notices, Affidavits, Disciplinary Codes, Corporate Policies, CCMA, MIBCO DRC, NBCRFLI conciliations and arbitrations, disciplinary hearings, grievances, retrenchments (Section 189), policy development, union management, Governance, Risk Management, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), KPI Management, B-BBEE Compliance, COIDA, Employment Equity, Procurement (FICA, supplier onboarding), High Court appearance right, Road Accident Fund claims, Family Law (divorce, maintenance, mediation), Negotiation, Cease-and-desist letters, Highly Organised & Methodical, Meticulous Administrative abilities, Clear and effective Communication, Strong Negotiation, Emotional Intelligence, Autonomous and Analytical, Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Sage VIP, Sage ESS, Lark/Feishu
Secondary Education
High School Ferdinand Postma, National Senior Certificate (Grade 12), 2009-01-01
Personal Information
- ID Number: 901211008 6085
- Date of Birth: 12/11/1990
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code B
- Marital Status: Married
- ID Number: 901211008 6085