Candidate Attorney
programme
Your path to excellence begins here
We offer an environment where graduates are given every opportunity and the means to reach their full potential through, for example:
- Well-structured in-house training and skills development programmes
- Real experience working with world-class companies on quality matters and transactions
- Opportunities to work and train in diverse teams of like-minded lawyers - some of the best in the world
- Access to the most up-to-date legal information resources, systems, documents, precedents and global best practices
- Professional skills development and access to a wealth of expertise, experience and knowledge from across the globe
- Regular evaluation to help you realise your potential and career goals
- Opportunities to forge meaningful relationships with your local community through voluntary and pro bono work as well as involvement in a variety of client events, graduate recruitment initiatives at universities as well as internal firm events (i.e. charity events, sports events and social activities in the office).
- We also offer an accredited in-house training programme for our law graduates in preparation for the admission exams. Lectures are presented by senior attorneys who are experts in their fields. We make past papers and memorandums available to all our law graduates. Our law graduates are also provided with sufficient study leave to prepare for the examinations.
Eligibility
Applicants are required to apply at least two years in advance of them completing their LLB.
Programme dates
January on an annual basis.
Application window
Practical Vocational Training (2025 and 2026) - Application dates: 01 February 2024 - 31 May 2024
Rewards & benefits
Medical aid and provident fund
Daily free lunch
Mentoring
Regular performance reviews
Skills development programmes
Library orientation
Legal research
Drafting of legal documents
Computer skills
Practice management sessions
Rotations
We firmly believe that our law graduates’ will achieve the best level of experience and learning through exposure to different practice areas. For this reason, they are provided with the opportunity to rotate through different practice areas every six months. Our intention is to provide them with the practical experience for them to explore where their niche lies and gain wide ranging practical experience that will stand them in good stead wherever they may ultimately practice.
Your application roadmap
You'll come for the free lunches and stay for the culture. CDH is refining the image of commercial law firms and manages to feel very homey while maintaining its hard-earned reputation.
Shameegh Allen, Senior Associate
Frequently
asked questions
How many Candidate Attorneys are you looking to recruit every year?
Annually the firm is looking to recruit approximately 30 Candidate Attorneys.
How many people apply each year, and of those, how many do you interview?
We receive thousands of applications on an annual basis, with approximately a third of the strong applicants progressing to the interview stage.
What is the process for deciding which practice area I will qualify into?
Our Candidate Attorneys are given the opportunity to rotate into different practice areas every six months. Practice areas allocations are guided by our Candidate Attorneys wish list of areas they wish to be exposed to as well as operational needs of the firm.
How do I follow up on my application?
For any queries related to your application please email us at gradteam@cdhlegal.com.
How long with am I required to complete my articles if I have already completed PLT?
A Candidate Attorney who has completed their Practical Legal Training and has successfully completed their Board exams prior to their commencement of Practical Vocational Training are eligible to serve one-year of PVT in order to submit an application to the High Court for admission, however the Candidate Attorney is obliged to honour the two-year contract with the firm.
Where can I find information on ceding of PVT?
For more information on ceding of articles please visit www.lpc.org.za.
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