Jenine Naidu

Qualified legal and human resources professional with over six years’ experience in employment and labour law, agreement drafting and regulatory compliance. Trained at a leading international commercial law firm before moving into an in-house advisory role in the manufacturing and logistics sector. Explains complex legal issues clearly to executives, unions and lay audiences, and works independently on high-volume caseloads and demanding deadlines in highly regulated environments.

Adapts readily to change, including a seamless move to full-time remote work in 2020.

Human Resources & Legal Advisor - Logan Medical & Surgical (Pty) Ltd - Durban, South Africa

(2024)

Assumed full operational responsibility for the HR department of a national medical manufacturing and distribution company with over 200 employees across three provinces. Independently manage employment litigation, union engagements and HR functions, advise the executive team on related legal matters and compliance, and established robust internal processes strengthening labour management and regulatory compliance.

• Policy and contract overhaul: Drafted bespoke employment agreement templates for all organisational tiers and redrafted corporate policies to align with current labour legislation.
• Employment litigation success: Independently represented the company in five contentious Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) disputes in the last 12 months; all five cases were dismissed.
• Employee rights and welfare: Negotiated with executive management to adjust agreements, remuneration structures and policies in support of worker rights, improving the workplace environment.
• Strategic role transition: Rapidly acquired payroll and HR management expertise on the job, without direct oversight or external training.
• Continued professional development: Upskilled to become the company’s Health & Safety Officer, implementing procedural and physical changes to improve workplace safety.

Associate Designate - Norton Rose Fulbright SA Inc.

• La Lucia, South Africa

(2018 - 2022)

Served articles of clerkship at an internationally recognised commercial law firm before being retained as an Associate Designate in the Employment & Labour team, under the direct mentorship of the Head of Department. Advised corporate clients across major sectors on labour issues, including, inter alia, compliance with labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA, COIDA, OHSA, POPIA), retrenchments, employee discipline, COVID-19 workplace regulations, union engagements, contractual disputes, business transfers and wage negotiations. Developed extensive technical legal capabilities in complex research, drafting pleadings, preparing and arguing litigious matters, authoring high-level legal opinions, and representing clients in union and settlement negotiations.

• Cross-border M&A advisory: Worked with the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions team on legal due diligence for a multi-billion rand business acquisition; subsequently appointed to all major due diligence matters, expanding the commercial scope and revenue of the Employment & Labour team.
• Legal publications & media: Authored analytical articles on newly promulgated COVID-19 workplace safety regulations and UIF benefits (2020–2021) for reputable online legal platforms, generating positive brand exposure for the firm; appeared on 702 Talk Radio to explain complex regulations to the public.
• Professional qualification: Completed the mandatory Practical Legal Training course and passed all four board exams while serving articles.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - University of the Free State (2014 - 2017)

BSc Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - University of Cape Town (2010 - 2012)

National Senior Certificate (NSC) - Danville Park Girls’ High School (2005 - 2009)