Zondiwe Longwe
Senior Associate
Bryanston
Summary
Seasoned professional with over 9 years of post-qualification experience, equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the Companies Act, PMFA, Insolvency Act, and business rescue measures. Specializing in dispute resolution and commercial litigation, with a proven track record of effectively managing court proceedings and providing extensive legal advisory services on corporate and transactional matters. Proficient in handling complex legal issues, delivering exceptional legal services to organizations, drafting and maintaining legal documentation, and mitigating risks through due diligence. Skilled negotiator with expertise in strategic legal counsel, litigation, insolvency, dispute resolution, business sustainability, and agreement development. Demonstrated ability to manage diverse projects, deliver high-impact results, solve problems effectively, collaborate with cross-functional teams seamlessly, and adapt to evolving business needs while maintaining a strong focus on achieving results.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Associate
Mabuza Attorneys
01.2019 - Current
- Lead legal advisory across local and cross-border matters, supporting clients in a wide range of industries including commercial, financial services, and regulatory sectors.
- Acquired 70% new clients through strategic networking.
- Draft, vet, and negotiate a variety of legal documents including:
- Commercial Agreements: service-level, distribution, joint venture, profit share, and sale of business/share agreements delivering 100% cost savings.
- Corporate Documents: shareholder agreements, memoranda of incorporation, resolutions, and deeds of adherence.
- Finance & Lease Agreements: loan agreements, pledges, cessions, guarantees, and suretyships.
- IP & Confidentiality: NDAs, trademark issues, non-circumvent agreements.
- Internal Policies: terms and conditions, compliance manuals, and codes of conduct.
- Provide legal guidance on regulatory compliance involving the Companies Act, Consumer Protection Act, National Credit Act, POPIA, and Competition Act.
- Represent clients in complex litigation in the High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, and Constitutional Court. Manage dispute resolution, arbitration, and litigation strategies in high-stakes commercial matters.
- Assess and manage legal risks, propose mitigation strategies, and contribute to internal policy development.
- Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions, reports, and briefing documents for internal stakeholders and external counsel.
- Manage stakeholder engagements across departments and jurisdictions, providing sound legal advice aligned with strategic business outcomes.
- Mentor junior associates on litigation strategy, contract drafting, and regulatory compliance.
- Maintain current awareness of legislative changes impacting client operations in South Africa and internationally.
- Key Achievements:
- Successfully restructured standard procurement and commercial contracts for compliance with local and international standards.
- Managed multi-jurisdictional litigation and contract negotiation with cross-border implications.
- Built a reputation as a trusted advisor for high-profile clients facing reputational and regulatory scrutiny.
- Providing dispute resolution processes within an array of contracts.
- Representing client before the RMDEC sitting at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
- Establishing standardied guidelines for procurement contracting, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and transparency.
- Monitor and analyse legal developments and regulatory changes on behalf of client.
- Defending and Instituting proceedings in the financial services sector.
- Created wide array of commercial agreements, encompassing business sales, share transfers, loans, leases, suretyships, restraint of trade, confidentiality, subscriptions, shareholders' agreements, and trust deeds.
- Represented clients in CCMA proceedings, insolvency inquiries and at the Special Investigating Unit and business rescue proceedings.
- Conducted in-depth legal research on various statutes, legal authorities, and provided expert legal opinions.
- Drafting, vetting, reviewing various contracts, review legal documentation and provide advice on appropriate action.
- Mentor and coach junior Associates, offering guidance on legal research, analysis, and the development of legal arguments and strategies.
- Prepare memoranda, drafts of legal documents and resolutions, examine documents for legal sufficiency and consistency.
- Conduct due diligence and prepare reports and/or legal documents for disputes in national and international courts, arbitration or other legal proceedings.
- Formulating and managing instructions to external counsel.
- Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Conducting legal research and analysis to inform business decisions.
- Managing stakeholder relationships and providing advice on legal services related to various matters across the business.
- Identifying and assessing legal risks, proposing strategies to minimize risks.
- Successfully managed complex legal matters, including: Contract disputes and negotiations.
- Representing clients in Intellectual property disputes.
Associate Attorney
Ezra Matlala Attorneys
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Oversaw 80% litigious matters, encompassing liquidations, labour disciplinary hearings, arbitrations, and disciplinary committees. Managed business rescue proceedings to address complex legal situations. Engaged senior counsel at High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, and the Constitutional Court to advance legal cases.
- Formulated and pioneered application and action legal proceedings.
- Represented clients in both Magistrates Court and High Court matters.
- Represented clients in CCMA proceedings and various tribunals.
- Handling matters from initial instruction till finality and/or Judgment.
- Contract drafting and negotiating.
- Delivered expertise as key partner in challenging claims presented to Dispute Adjudication Board related to execution of boiler work contracts at a power station in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
Candidate Attorney, Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Kasimov & Associates
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Managed pre-trial notices and procedures, oversaw discovery processes, and navigated complexities of both opposed and unopposed divorce cases. Participated in Magistrate's Court and High Court practices and procedures, encompassing creation and review of applications, affidavits, notices, summonses, and meticulous pagination of court documents and proceedings. Collaborated with and briefed counsel by participating in consultations to advance legal matters. Provided advice across a wide spectrum of both litigious and non-litigious issues.
- Crafted 70% pleadings for both opposed and unopposed cases to oversee preparation, service, and filing as well as ensure compliance with regulatory standards by reviewing legal agreements.
- Attending on litigious matters including but not limited to inter alia: liquidations, labour disciplinary hearings, arbitrations and disciplinary committees.
- Conducted extensive legal research and authored detailed legal opinions to inform strategic decisions.
- Magistrate court appearances.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) -
University of Witwatersrand
South Africa04.2014
Skills
Team leadership
Performance monitoring
Team supervision
Contract Negotiation & Drafting
Litigation Management
Regulatory Compliance
International Legal Frameworks
Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
Problem-Solving & Legal Strategy Development
Multijurisdictional Legal Expertise
References
Available on request
Acheivements
Lead defence legal team representing former President Jacob Zuma in both corruption trial and at the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture allegations., Successfully represented a renowned African football coach and their agent in a high-profile dispute against a prominent South African football club, challenging contentious agreements., Spearheaded representation of Peter Moyo in high-profile and widely publicised litigation against Old Mutual, advocating for reinstatement., Acted on behalf of the United Democratic Movement and its leader, Retired General Mr. Bantu Holomisa, in a highly publicised defamation case currently before the Constitutional Court, addressing issues of significant public interest., Represented Vodacom (Pty) Ltd in the landmark case of Makate v. Vodacom (Pty) Limited 2014, which resulted in a precedent-setting adjudication by the Constitutional Court, creating legal principle of ostensible authority., Played pivotal role in representing the Employer in opposing claims referred to the Dispute Adjudication Board specifically related to the execution of a boiler works contract at a power station in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
Timeline
Senior Associate
Mabuza Attorneys
01.2019 - Current
Associate Attorney
Ezra Matlala Attorneys
01.2017 - 01.2019
Candidate Attorney, Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
Kasimov & Associates
01.2013 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) -
University of Witwatersrand
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