A career as a corporate lawyer makes you a trusted professional whom businesses rely on before making major decisions. In this role, you help companies make informed legal choices on contracts, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, governance, and risk. You work closely with senior leaders, protect the organisation’s interests, and ensure it operates within the law.
If you want to work for both business and law, corporate law careers can be a strong fit. It helps you to use your legal skills to influence real business decisions while building a respected, meaningful, and financially rewarding career.
In this article, we will explore what a corporate lawyer does, the qualifications required, and how they contribute to the smooth functioning of businesses, especially in South Africa.
Table of Contents
Who Is a Corporate Lawyer?
Before answering “What does a corporate lawyer do?”, it is important to know who a corporate lawyer is. A corporate lawyer is a legal professional who advises businesses on their rights and responsibilities under the law. The duties of a corporate lawyer include representing the company as a whole, not individual shareholders or employees. This means they guide businesses in making decisions that comply with legal requirements.
Corporate attorney roles include specialisation in legal issues related to starting, managing, and operating businesses, including partnerships and limited liability companies. They work with different clients across many industries. Their work includes negotiating deals and preparing key legal documents for important business transactions.
What Does a Corporate Lawyer Do?
Corporate lawyers help businesses operate within the law while reaching their goals. They offer legal guidance on contracts, governance, and many other business matters. Their main responsibilities include:
1. Representing Clients
They represent companies in legal proceedings and at board or regulatory meetings. They prepare defences when the company faces litigation.
2. Facilitating Mergers and Acquisitions
They guide companies through mergers and acquisitions by handling negotiations and drafting required documents.
3. Ensuring Compliance with Securities Laws
They help publicly traded companies comply with securities regulations and prevent issues such as insider trading and fraud. They assist with registrations and required reports.
4. Advising on Corporate Governance
They advise boards and senior leaders on governance structures, directors’ duties, shareholder rights, and ethical decisions.
5. Handling Regulatory and Compliance Matters
They ensure the business follows industry regulations and general laws. They also help create internal policies to reduce legal risk.
6. Managing Intellectual Property (IP)
They protect the company’s trademarks, copyrights, and patents. They also manage licensing agreements and IP disputes.
7. Risk Management and Legal Strategy
They identify legal risks in business decisions and advise leaders on strategies that support growth while meeting legal obligations.
8. Managing Contracts
They draft, review, and negotiate contracts to ensure all agreements follow the law and protect the business.
In short, corporate lawyers protect the company’s interests, manage legal risks, and support legal growth.
Corporate Lawyer Qualifications
If you want to become a corporate lawyer, you need the right qualifications. These educational and professional requirements prepare you for the demands of corporate law. Below is an overview of the key qualifications:
1. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree
You must earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from an accredited university. This degree covers contract law, commercial law, and corporate law, helping you build the core skills needed for the profession.
2. Postgraduate Studies
You can strengthen your knowledge by completing a Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate Law or related fields. This advanced study helps you focus on areas such as mergers and acquisitions, securities law, or corporate governance.
3. Certifications and Specialised Legal Training
You can improve your qualifications through additional courses and certifications. Training in areas like compliance or financial regulations helps you deepen your expertise and shows your commitment to the field.
By completing an LLB, adding postgraduate studies, and earning relevant certifications, you can build the skills and credibility needed for a successful career in corporate law.
These skills enable corporate lawyers to handle complex business matters confidently, protect their clients’ interests, and build a successful, long-term career in the corporate legal field.
Explore the 7 skills for a successful law career in South Africa
How to Become a Corporate Lawyer in South Africa?
Though we have discussed the academic qualifications required to become a corporate lawyer, we will now guide you through the steps to pursue this profession. Each step is essential for preparing you to handle corporate law challenges.
So, while you are trying to understand what a corporate lawyer does, you must know the steps to become a successful corporate lawyer. They are as follows:
1. Complete Your Matric
To begin your journey to becoming a corporate lawyer, you must complete your matric successfully. However, remember that you must achieve the required marks in specific subjects to qualify for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at a university.
2. Pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Once you pass matric, the next step is to enrol in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme at a recognised university. This degree usually takes four years to complete and covers various areas of law, including corporate law.
3. Gain Practical Experience through Vacation Work
Many law firms offer vacation work opportunities to students, especially those in their third or fourth year of study. Participating in vacation work during your university holidays gives you practical experience in the legal field.
4. Complete Law Articles
After earning your LLB, you must complete your law articles, which involves working as a candidate attorney for two years at a registered law firm. During this time, you will work under the supervision of an experienced attorney.
5. Prepare for the Attorneys’ Admission Exams
Once you finish your articles, the next step is to prepare for the board exams. These exams assess your understanding of various legal principles and procedures.
6. Apply for Attorney Admission
After completing your articles and passing the board exams, you can apply for admission as an attorney. This process involves submitting your application to the court, along with the necessary documents.
7. Work as a Corporate Lawyer
Once you are admitted as an attorney, you can start your career as a corporate lawyer. You can advise clients on legal matters related to business operations, transactions, and compliance. You can also help companies navigate the complexities of corporate law.
Also, Get Insights on How To Become An Attorney In South Africa
What are the Essential Corporate Lawyer Skills?
In order to lead a career as a corporate lawyer, you must have a diverse set of skills. These skills will help you navigate the complexities of corporate law and provide businesses with valuable legal support. So, while you understand what a corporate lawyer does, you must know the essential skills required by these lawyers.
The following are some of the top skills that a successful corporate lawyer must possess:
- Strong knowledge of corporate law, including civil procedures and contracts.
- Excellent communication skills for both verbal and written interactions.
- Practical negotiation skills to resolve conflicts and reach agreements.
- Research abilities to stay updated on changing laws and regulations.
- Analytical thinking to draw reasonable conclusions from limited information.
- Thorough knowledge of regulatory compliance in various industries.
- Skills in managing intellectual property rights and disputes.
These skills enable corporate lawyers to handle complex business matters confidently, protect their clients’ interests, and build a successful, long-term career in the corporate legal field.
Understanding Corporate Lawyer Career Opportunities
Corporate lawyers benefit from a dynamic and structured career path that offers significant opportunities for advancement and specialisation. After completing two years of Articles of Clerkship and passing the required admission examinations, LLB graduates typically begin their careers as associates in law firms. With experience, they can progress to roles such as senior associate, director, or partner, depending on performance and firm structure.
As corporate lawyers advance, their responsibilities expand to include complex legal research, contract drafting, transaction management, and strategic advisory work. They may practise in large law firms or transition into in-house counsel roles, where they advise organisations on compliance, risk management, and corporate strategy. The profession also allows for specialisation in high-demand areas such as mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and corporate governance, enabling lawyers to deepen their expertise and enhance long-term earning potential.
Conclusion
A career as a corporate lawyer combines legal knowledge with business skills. It suits people who enjoy both fields. Corporate lawyers play an important role in helping businesses manage legal compliance, contracts, and governance. To succeed, you need a strong educational background, practical experience, and key legal skills. With these, you can build a successful career in private practice or as in-house counsel.
With a clear curriculum and experienced faculty, Regenesys Education will support your journey in law.
Start your corporate law journey with Regenesys Education – apply for the LLB programme now.
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FAQs
What does a corporate lawyer do day to day?
Corporate lawyers engage in various activities daily, including drafting and reviewing contracts, advising clients on legal compliance, negotiating deals, preparing for litigation, and attending meetings with stakeholders.
What qualifications do you need to become a corporate lawyer?
To become a corporate lawyer, you typically need to earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, followed by practical experience through articles of clerkship and passing the attorneys’ admission examinations.
How do corporate lawyers contribute to business success?
Corporate lawyers help businesses navigate legal challenges, ensure compliance with regulations, manage risks, and facilitate transactions. Their expertise in contracts and corporate governance enables companies to make informed decisions.
What skills are essential for corporate lawyers?
Key skills for corporate lawyers include strong knowledge of corporate law, excellent communication abilities, practical negotiation skills, analytical thinking, and research capabilities.
What career opportunities are available for corporate lawyers?
Corporate lawyers can work in various settings, including large law firms and as in-house counsel for corporations. They can also specialise in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, or corporate governance.
