ISLP’S COMMERCIAL LAW TRAINING PROGRAMME
Building Law Firm Capacity to Service Commercial Law Transactions
Presented in co-sponsorship with the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP)
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Johannesburg: 20 to 24 October 2014: Deadline to apply 25 September 2014
Durban: 27 to 31 October 2014: Deadline to apply 30 September 2014
About the programme
Many smaller law firms, particularly those servicing historically-disadvantaged clients, are interested in developing or
expanding a commercial law practice but have encountered challenges when attempting to do so. The goal of this
5-day, 27-hour programme is to provide information and hone practical skills that law schools do not provide.
This is in order to empower law firms to service commercial transactions on behalf of start-ups and family-owned
businesses; larger companies; parastatal agencies and governments.
The programme includes role-playing and other interactive exercises under the guidance of successful commercial law
firm practitioners from South Africa and abroad.
How to apply
Only a limited number of delegates can be accepted on the course. Therefore, interested attorneys are invited to apply
by completing the application form and return it to LEAD (annelie@LSSALEAD.org.za) by 25 September 2014. LEAD
will confirm by 26 September 2014 whether an application has been successful. Strong preference will be given to
attorneys from small law firms who are previously disadvantaged individuals.
Cost of the programme
The cost is partially subsidised and is only R 2 750.00 (Including VAT) for successful applicants. Successful applicants
will be required to pay the fee by 30 September 2014.
Who should apply?
Practising attorneys, particularly those from smaller law firms interested in developing or expanding a commercial
transactions practice
Presented by LEAD in co-sponsorship with the International Senior
Lawyers Project (ISLP) and with the assistance of the Black Corporate
and Commercial Attorneys Network.
The mission of the ISLP is to enlist the resources of highly skilled and
experienced attorneys and law firms from around the world to advance the
rule of law, human rights and equitable economic development worldwide.
Please click here to complete the online form or complete the application form below.
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Programme content
The programme is designed to build a smaller law firm’s capacity to service
commercial transactions through presentations and workshops which include
the following topics among others:
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Understanding the role of the business lawyer in commercial
transactions: what clients need and expect.
Obtaining instructions for commercial transactions and successfully
handling the engagement and client interview process.
Developing drafting and negotiation skills essential for commercial
transactions.
Learning how commercial entities are governed and capitalised.
Leaning about Corporate Acquisition Structures and the Acquisition
Process.
Using law firm technology and systems required to successfully
represent clients in commercial transactions.
Developing and managing a law firm’s commercial law expertise and
clientele.
2013 ISLP Course
The course was first held in 2013
and the participants were asked to
list what part of the course gave
them the most value. Below is a
small sample of the responses.
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Presenters
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This programme will be presented by commercial law practitioners with
extensive law firm experience.
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“Legal principles applicable to
all jurisdictions”
“Keys to develop a commercial
practice”
“Planning and mapping
business transactions”
“Budgeting for a commercial
practice”
Understanding risk management”
“Negotiation and drafting
techniques”
“Closing deals”
“New marketing practices”
“Fees and fee structure”
“Interpreting financial statements”
“Anti-corruption, BBBEE laws”
The presenters for the Johannesburg programme include:
Linda Robinson, a retired partner with the Osler Hoskin & Harcourt law firm in Toronto, Canada. Linda has decades
of experience representing multi-national corporations and other companies in commercial transactions, including
purchase and sale transactions. She has also been listed as one of “Canada’s Top 25 Women Lawyers”.
On behalf of the ISLP, Linda has presented many similar programmes in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and
Zimbabwe.
Reitumetse Jackie Huntly, Chairperson of the Board of the Mkhabela Huntley Adekeye, Inc. law firm in
Johannesburg. Her firm is one of South African’s leading black-owned law firms with an expertise in commercial
transactions and she is listed in “Who’s Who in South Africa.”
Since graduating from Witwatersrand Law School and Wits Business School, Jackie has represented companies,
parastatal agencies and governmental entities in numerous commercial transactions. She is also a founding member
of the Black Corporate and Commercial Attorneys Network. She is also a frequent lecturer on the topics of this
programme.
Steven C. Spronz, Of Counsel to Murchison & Cumming, Los Angeles, California, USA. Steven serves as Co-Chair
of the firm’s Business & Real Estate Transactions practice group, focusing his practice on matters involving corporate
and real estate transactional and financing matters.
During his 35-year legal career, Steven has represented a broad spectrum of domestic and foreign corporate,
partnership, real estate and general business clients, including public and private equity funds, in mergers and
acquisitions, partnership, joint venture, financing and corporate business matters and in the acquisition, disposition,
financing, development and leasing of real estate. Since 2004, he has taught Commercial Law training programmes in
Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Gaborone (Botswana).
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The presenters for the Durban programme include:
Linda Robinson, a retired partner with the Osler Hoskin & Harcourt law firm in Toronto, Canada (see her biographical
information above).
Crag O. White, a senior partner with the Hahn Loeser & Parks law firm in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In 1992, Craig
became the first African-American partner in that firm. He has extensive experience representing clients requiring
commercial law expertise and has been listed as an “Ohio Super Lawyer”. He is a member of the United States Trade
Advisory Committee for Africa. On behalf of the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP), he has presented training
programmes in South Africa co-sponsored by the Black Lawyers Association and similar programmes in Zambia and
Zimbabwe co-sponsored by their law societies.
Nike Pillay, a director at ENSafrica and member of the firm’s corporate commercial department. He specializes in
mergers and acquisitions, IT, tech and e-Commerce law, sugar law and commercial property, as well as the
Consumer Protection Act. During his 15-year professional career, he has acted for a leading multinational agricultural
and agri-processing business and numerous property developers, as well as a prominent transport and logistics
corporation. Nike’s experience includes drafting and advising on commercial contracts, company law, and corporate
structuring. He has presented several modules of the SAPOA (South African Property Owners Association) property
programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business. On behalf of ISLP, he has also taught
several commercial law programmes, including a programme in Victoria Falls sponsored by the Law Society of
Zimbabwe.
Summary of daily schedule
Day 1
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Course summary and purpose
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Commercial Transactions from the Business Lawyer’s Perspective
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Adding value to Commercial Transactions
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New client intake and the engagement letter
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Case study discussion of case study video – extraction of information and development of strategy for
representing a new client
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Small group mock interviews of a business client
Day 2
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Understanding Corporate Financial Statements
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How businesses are financed and funded – a primer on equity and debt for the business lawyer
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Building Effective Commercial Contract Drafting and Negotiations Skills
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Mock Negotiation of a Commercial Contract
Day 3
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Overview of Business Acquisition/Expansion Structures
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The Corporate Purchase/Sales Process
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Mock Negotiation of the terms of a Business Acquisition
Day 4
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The Contents of the Successful Business Lawyers’ Toolkit
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What Business Clients Expect from their Attorneys (panel discussion)
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Conflicts of Interest and Other Ethical Issues Business Lawyer Often Confront
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Interactive Discussion of Ethical Issues
Day 5
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Business law firm structure, management and compensation models
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The role of technology in document review, research, communication, billing and client management
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Developing and expanding a smaller law firm’s commercial practice
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Summary and closing remarks
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Awards ceremony and Course evaluation
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APPLICATION FORM | ISLP Commercial Law Training Programme
Please click here to complete the online form or complete the application form below.
Document to be included: Copy of your Identity Document
Please complete the application form and return it to LEAD (annelie@LSSALEAD.org.za) by 30 September 2014.
LEAD will confirm by 1 October 2014 whether your application has been successful. Successful applicants will be
required to pay the R 2 750 programme fee by 3 October 2014.
City where you wish to attend (please indicate)
 Johannesburg: 20 to 24 October 2014
 Durban: 27 to 31 October 2014
Surname
 Male  Female
Names
Date of birth
ID number
Race (for reporting purposes)
Law firm’s name
Firm’s postal address or
Firm’s docex address
Tel no (w)
Cell no
E-mail
Signature:
Date:
Please return the application form and certified copy of your Identity Document to e-mail pmt@lSSALEAD.org.za.
Contact Person for Enquiries
Nomfundo Mbinambina: Tel: Direct +27 (0)12 441 4609; E-mail: pmt@lSSALEAD.org.za
Legal Education and Development
Tel: +27 (0)12 441 4600 (switchboard) | Address: PO Box 27167 Sunnyside 0132 | Docex 227 Pretoria | Old Main
Building, Unisa Sunnyside Campus, 145 Steve Biko Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria) | Web: www.LSSALEAD.org.za
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