Candidate Attorney

Job description

Opportunity at Section27

Candidate Attorney January 2027 – December 2028

Section27 is a well-established and widely respected public interest law centre that seeks to achieve substantive equality and social justice in South Africa. If you are passionate about human rights, self-motivated and would like to be part of a dynamic team working to challenge inequality and positively influence society, joining Section27 could be the opportunity you have been looking for.
Section27 uses the law through litigation, advocacy, legal literacy, research, and community mobilisation to advance socio-economic rights, in particular the right to access health care services and the right to basic education.
Section27 invites applications from law graduates for one candidate attorney for the 2027 to 2028 program to start articles in January 2027. The candidate will undergo the practical legal training with the view to being admitted and enrolled as a legal practitioner and registered as an attorney.

Job specification

Education

• LLB degree

Duration

• 2 year

Personal attributes

• Ability to work under pressure.
• Extremely organised and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Willingness to travel.

Language

• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Proficiency in one or more indigenous South Africa Language is advantageous

Duties and responsibilities

• Consult with clients
• Check facts and undertake investigations
• Identify and access relevant research material though networking, the library and internet
• Investigate facts and law of case to determine causes of action
• Research and analyse law sources to prepare legal documents, such as briefs, pleadings, appeals for review, approval, for use by attorney.
• Assist in drafting processes
• Gain experience with working with counsel
• Draft legal submissions and opinions.
• Conduct research and analysis.
• Keep abreast of legal developments that are relevant to the work of Section27.
• Liaise with media.
• Participate in team activities. This includes team meetings as well as monthly staff meetings, organisational reviews and planning as well as other meetings that relate to the work of Section27.
• Advocacy activities including assisting with public mobilisation
• Work with community organisers, activists, and partners to collect data and relevant materials for cases
• Attend the practical legal training (PLT) classes are diligently attended presented by the legal practice council which will be hosted by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
• Successfully register, write and pass the attorneys admission exams

General

• Attend and participate in monthly staff meetings, team meetings, as well as other meetings that relate to the work of S27.

Please forward your curriculum vitae and cover letter to az.gro.72noitces@snoitacilppa by 14 April 2026. Late applications will not be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Requirements

• Knowledge of human rights and public interest law will be advantageous.
• Communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
• Writing, analytical and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task.

Posted on 25 Mar 12:38, Closing date 14 Apr