Secondment to Investec: A Junior Lawyer’s Perspective

The secondment provided Ismail with a unique opportunity to gain insight into how legal issues are approached within a corporate environment—beyond the traditional law firm setting. Collaborating closely with legal and compliance teams, business units, and senior management, he was exposed to the inner workings of a dynamic institution.

One of the most valuable takeaways from the experience was the shift from purely legal considerations to more strategic and commercially aligned thinking. Ismail was tasked with offering practical legal advice, managing risk, and implementing solutions that supported Investec’s broader business objectives. The experience not only deepened his understanding of legal frameworks but also enhanced his appreciation for commercial realities.

What stood out most during his time at Investec was the culture of collaboration and open communication. Working across departments encouraged Ismail to think beyond legal theory and consider the broader impact of legal advice on business operations. It also strengthened his commercial acumen and negotiation skills.

This experience is expected to bring several key benefits to Ismail’s practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), including:

• Enhanced Commercial Awareness: A deeper understanding of how legal issues intersect with business strategy will help Ismail provide more commercially aligned advice to CDH clients.
• Improved Client Service: First-hand exposure to the demands faced by in-house legal teams enables a more practical, client-centric approach.
• Stronger Communication Skills: The ability to translate legal complexity into accessible language for non-legal stakeholders will enhance collaboration with clients and colleagues.
• Risk Management Expertise: Experience with in-house risk mitigation strategies will sharpen Ismail’s ability to guide clients through regulatory compliance and contractual negotiations.
• Improved Efficiency: The pace of in-house work has refined his time management and prioritisation skills, making him more effective in juggling multiple matters.
• Broader Network: The relationships built at Investec will support stronger collaboration between the institution and CDH while expanding his sector-specific network.

Secondments are a valuable opportunity to broaden one’s skill set, understand the function of in-house legal teams, and gain hands-on experience that adds depth to any legal career.

Ismail encourages junior professionals at CDH—whether or not they have the chance to go on secondment—to embrace similar learnings and remain curious about the intersection between law and business. These insights will be vital as they build their careers within the firm and beyond.