Litigation and Disputes Attorney

Litigation and Disputes Attorney (Pretoria-Based Start → Bay Area / Silicon Valley Litigation Track)

Job Title:
Litigation and Disputes Attorney

Location:
Pretoria, South Africa (initially), with substantial work periods in Mountain View, California

Department:
Litigation Practice Group

FLSA:
Exempt, Professional

Revision Date:
November 25, 2025

Position Overview

LegalForce RAPC Worldwide P.C. and Trademarkia, a U.S., Silicon Valley law firm has a client relations attorney and finance team in Pretoria, South Africa. We are impressed with the talent we are finding in South Africa.

For this reason, we are trying to build from that base into a unique role that can support our U.S. litigation operations. We are seeking a highly skilled
South African litigation attorney
to join our international litigation practice. This is a
unique cross-border career track
for an ambitious attorney who wants to build a long-term future practicing
U.S. federal litigation
in Silicon Valley.

Although the role begins in our
Pretoria, South Africa office
, this is
not a South African-focused role
, and you will
not
be expected to recruit or serve South African clients.

Instead:
Your entire client base, workload, and business development focus will be in the United States, particularly the Bay Area.

You will receive hands-on training from California litigators while supporting complex U.S. litigation matters, building relationships with Silicon Valley clients, and preparing for eventual licensure as a
California attorney
. The role includes:

• Substantial remote collaboration with U.S. colleagues,
• Regular travel to Silicon Valley,
• And ultimately
  extended periods living and working in Mountain View, CA
  to build a U.S. litigation practice and client base.

Our long-term goal is to develop South African legal talent into world-class U.S. litigators who will help build the next major AI-driven law firm.

Core ResponsibilitiesU.S. Litigation Work

• Support
  California-based litigation
  , including commercial disputes, IP litigation, business torts, trademark/patent cases, and other federal matters.
• Draft motions, pleadings, briefs, and discovery documents under supervision of U.S. attorneys.
• Conduct U.S.-style legal research; manually verify all citations and authorities.
• Assist with evidence review, document analysis, fact development, and discovery strategy.
• Prepare exhibits, outlines, and case materials for U.S. depositions, mediations, and hearings.
• Attend remote or in-person court proceedings and strategy sessions, including in the Bay Area.

U.S. Client Development & Silicon Valley Networking

This is a
U.S. business-building role
, even while based in Pretoria.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing litigation clients in the
  Bay Area
  ,
  Silicon Valley startups
  , and
  Trademarkia's U.S. client base
  .
• Attending networking events, legal associations, tech meetups, and startup gatherings in
  Mountain View/Silicon Valley
  during U.S. stays.
• Supporting the firm's presence in California and helping expand a litigation-centered, AI-forward practice.

Cross-Border Training Toward California Bar Qualification

• Learn U.S. litigation practice directly from California-based attorneys.
• Train on federal procedure, motion practice, and U.S. court strategies.
• Work toward eligibility to sit for the
  California Bar Exam
  within 12–18 months.
• Top-performing candidates will receive support for U.S. travel and relocation.

AI-Responsible Legal Practice

• Use AI tools (ChatGPT, Lexis+ AI, Lexis Protégé AI) responsibly.
• Confirm the accuracy of any AI-generated research or citations.
• Help develop AI-enhanced workflows and litigation systems.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with U.S. partners, senior litigators, and support staff.
• Maintain highly organized case files with awareness of U.S. deadlines.
• Communicate professionally across time zones.

Minimum Qualifications

• LL.B. or J.D. equivalent; admitted to practice as an Attorney in South Africa.
• Strong academic background and training from a major South African law firm or university.
• 0–3 years of litigation experience (articles, clerkships, internships welcome).
• Superb writing, research, analytical, and oral communication skills.
• Interest in U.S. litigation, California practice, and Silicon Valley legal work.
• Commitment to sitting for the
  California Bar Exam
  .
• Ability to travel to and spend significant work periods in
  Mountain View, California
  .

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in commercial or IP litigation.
• Familiarity with AI drafting tools and legal research platforms.
• Strong relationship-building skills suited to developing U.S. clients.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and desire to help expand a Silicon Valley litigation practice.

Competencies

• Responsiveness:
  Clear, fast communication across global teams.
• Analytical Rigor:
  Ability to evaluate complex U.S. legal issues and facts.
• Professionalism:
  Impeccable ethics, confidentiality, and accuracy.
• Growth Orientation:
  Commitment to becoming a U.S.-qualified litigator.
• Cross-Border Adaptability:
  Comfort working across time zones and cultures.

Career Path

This is a
long-term, U.S.-oriented litigation career track
:

1. Pretoria Phase:
   Train on U.S. litigation, support California attorneys, work U.S. dockets, develop Bay Area clients.
2. Travel Phase:
   Periodic visits to the Bay Area for networking, hearings, client development, and in-person training.
3. California Bar Phase:
   Prepare for and sit for the California Bar Exam.
4. Silicon Valley Phase:
   Extended periods living and working in
   Mountain View
   , with eventual relocation opportunities.