Liza Engels

Admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa with over 13 years of legal and advisory experience spanning civil and labour litigation, employee relations, and specialist employment law practice. Extensive experience independently representing clients at the CCMA, Bargaining Councils, and Labour Court; chairing complex disciplinary, incapacity, and appeal hearings; advising on retrenchments, collective bargaining, and restraints of trade; and drafting high-level pleadings, legal opinions, contracts, and policies. Combines rigorous legal analysis, precise drafting capability, and sound commercial judgment with a proactive, client-focused approach to employment law advisory.

Based in Cape Town and open to local, remote, or hybrid opportunities in employment law, employee relations, or legal advisory.

Accredited Official at Employers' Organisation Mzanzi (EOM) (2023-01 – Present)

• Independently represent employer members at the CCMA and Bargaining Councils, managing complex conciliation and arbitration proceedings from case assessment through to resolution.
• Provide risk-based legal advisory on disciplinary, grievance, retrenchment, and collective labour matters; draft statutory applications, settlement agreements, and consent awards.
• Monitor South African labour law developments and advise members on legislative changes affecting their policies and practices.

Labour Advisor at JVN Labour Consulting CC (2021-05 – 2024-06)

• Managed complex ER and labour law matters end-to-end for a diverse, multi-industry client portfolio, including disciplinary processes, retrenchments, and CCMA/Labour Court representation.
• Chaired disciplinary and incapacity hearings independently, applying sound legal judgment and producing well-reasoned written outcomes capable of withstanding CCMA and Labour Court scrutiny.
• Drafted and reviewed employment contracts, disciplinary codes, HR policies, and retrenchment documentation, ensuring full compliance with the LRA, BCEA, and EEA.
• Provided strategic advisory on collective bargaining and retrenchment processes under s189 and s189A of the LRA, including statutory consultation procedures.
• Built and maintained strong, trusted relationships with a diverse client portfolio, acting as the escalation point for complex and high-risk matters.

Organiser at National Employers' Labour Association (NELA) (2021-05 – 2022-12)

• Represented employer members at CCMA and Bargaining Council proceedings; advised on labour law compliance and drafted applications and agreements for scheduled matters.

Legal Advisor — Dispute Resolution Official at Consolidated Employers' Organisation SA (CEOSA) (2019-09 – 2021-05)

• Independently managed dispute resolution matters for member employers, representing organisations through conciliation and arbitration at the CCMA and Bargaining Councils.
• Provided written legal opinions and risk analyses; drafted statutory applications and authored employment law compliance content.

Advocate in Private Practice (Self-Employed) at Pretoria Society of Advocates (2017-01 – 2019-08)

• Appeared independently in the Labour Court, High Court, and Magistrates' Court; drafted pleadings, affidavits, legal opinions, and compliance memoranda across labour, civil, and family law matters.

Attorney at Manong Badenhorst Incorporated (2014-06 – 2016-01)

• Managed High Court litigation, family law mediation, and deceased estate administration; drafted MOIs, liquidation accounts, agreements, and pleadings.

Attorney at PJ Faurie Incorporated (2013-02 – 2014-05)

• Managed Magistrates' Court division; represented clients across courts; handled Law Society disciplinary matters and legal cost taxation.

Candidate Attorney at PJ Faurie Incorporated (2010-01 – 2013-02)

• Completed articles of clerkship gaining broad experience in litigation, client advisory, court proceedings, and legal administration.

Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) in Law – University of Pretoria (2006 – 2009)

National Senior Certificate (Matric) – Waterkloof High School (2001 – 2005)