Thabo Mokhothu

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with practical training at Padi Incorporated Attorneys. Experienced in civil litigation, commercial contracts, labour disputes, and compliance audits. Skilled in drafting pleadings, legal opinions, and client advisory, with strong courtroom and research expertise. Results‑driven and committed to impactful contributions within South Africa's legal fraternity. Guided by the principle that "we are bound by the law to be free".

Candidate Legal Practitioner & Admitted Attorney - Padi Inc Attorneys - Johannesburg

(2022-06)

• Drafting of Legal Opinions and Pleadings
• Civil Litigation
• Legal Research
• Engaging Communities
• Appearances in the Courts and administrative tasks - gained extensive courtroom and administrative experience through daily shadowing of Senior Associates, assisting in client consultations, taking instructions, and preparing pleadings ranging from summons to heads of argument and writs
• Regularly liaised with counsel, attended courts to set down matters and manage procedural filings, and accompanied Senior Associates and counsel to appearances in both the High Court and Magistrates' Court
• Contributed to the landmark signing of the first formal Social Compact for the upgrading and development of the Slovo Park informal settlement in Soweto working alongside the Socio‑Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI)
• Acted for City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (CoJ) - assisted in High Court applications to interdict and evict unlawful occupiers in Diepsloot and Elias Motsoaledi informal settlements, managing service processes and attending court alongside counsel and senior associates
• Drafted the interim Land Development Agreement for Lufhereng Integrated Housing Development (signed 10 May 2024) and currently engaged in the Section 33 MFMA process for the main 10‑year agreement
• Conducted compliance audits for Lufhereng Integrated Housing Development assessing adherence to regulatory guidelines, service level agreements and risk management procedures
• Contributed to a legal opinion on conflict of interest involving the Acting CFO at Joburg Market SOC Ltd, presented to and adopted by the Board
• Managed labour law applications to stay and review arbitration awards for Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and property law interdicts against actual and anticipated land invasions
• Assisted in defending personal injury claims and labour disputes for Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), including disciplinary proceedings and review applications before the CCMA, Labour Court and High Court
• Conducted legal research and drafted opinions on corporate governance, policy review and pension fund transfers for City Power SOC Ltd
• Acted in contractual disputes with service providers and prepared legal opinions on salary under‑payments and senior management remuneration limits for Johannesburg Water SOC Ltd
• Participated in commercial litigation and defended labour matters relating to irregular appointments before the Labour Court and High Court for Transnet Freight Rail
• Attended mediations, arbitrations and Labour Court proceedings for Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), prepared findings and recommendations, and opposed review applications on behalf of the entity

Bachelor of Laws - Law (LLB) - University of the Free State (UFS) (2017-02 - 2021-11)

National Senior Certificate - NSC - Metsimatle Secondary School (2011-01 - 2015-12)

Practical Legal Training Certificate 2023 - Legal Practice - Lead School for Legal Practice Johannesburg (2023-08-14 - 2023-12-09)