ANDREW DE JONGH
Cork,Ireland
Summary
Solicitor and in-house legal counsel with a robust understanding of and extensive experience in contract law and drafting, corporate law, commercial litigation, real estate law and expertise in complex issue analysis. Proven track record in contract reviewing, conflict resolution, and case management. Adept at document preparation, drafting correspondence, and ensuring legal compliance. Skilled in legal advising, research, and regulatory compliance with a focus on risk assessment and mitigation. Strong strategic thinker with a background in business development. Committed to leveraging legal expertise to support organisational goals and drive business success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
In-house Legal Counsel
MARR Holdings
Cork, Ireland
01.2023 - Current
- Senior in-house legal counsel to high nett worth family office with international commercial property portfolio
- Reviewed, drafted and negotiated various commercial, financing and lease contracts to protect group company and holding trust interests.
- Oversaw risk management activities to minimise potential liabilities.
- Oversaw and coordinated litigation for recovery of £5.6 million damages in respect of property insurance claim in Scotland
- Managed and enforced contractual rights in terms of commercial real estate portfolio leases in multiple jurisdictions
- Provided sound strategic commercial advice to management regarding real estate and investment decisions
- Researched, interpreted and advised on laws for accurate legal guidance.
- Assisted in corporate governance matters for enhanced organisational control.
- Achieved effective dispute resolution by mediating in business disputes.
- Coordinated with management team to align legal strategies with company objectives.
- Prepared comprehensive reports on ongoing cases for senior management review.
- Participated in negotiations with suppliers and partners, secured favourable terms.
- Conducted due diligence investigations prior to business decisions.
- Collaborated with external solicitors for successful litigation outcomes.
- Prepared legal briefs and coordinated activity with lawyers to progress cases.
- Assessed and supported litigation requests according to strategic priorities.
- Responded to time-sensitive queries quickly for fast resolution.
- Created legal documents and contracts for official use.
- Protected clients' interests when providing legal advice.
- Investigated cases to reach resolution or conclusion.
Associate Director
KPMG
Dublin, Ireland
03.2022 - 11.2022
- Associate Director in the Risk Management department of KPMG Ireland’s Dublin office, responsible for assessing and monitoring KPMG’s compliance with international auditor independence requirements and regulations
- Supported the development and maintenance of an effective compliance framework to ensure optimal statutory and regulatory compliance
- Provided support in managing queries on ethics, independence and risk management policies, procedures and systems
Founder / Managing Director
Andrew de Jongh Inc Attorneys
Cape Town, South Africa
07.2004 - 02.2022
- Founder and managing partner of Andrew de Jongh Inc Attorneys, a boutique commercial, contracts, commercial litigation, private wealth and real estate law firm with three attorneys and support staff focusing on negotiating and drafting commercial contracts, real estate transactions and conveyancing, structured commercial transactions, and commercial litigation and dispute resolution
- Sourced new business and managed and maintained long-term relationships with clients
- Negotiated and settled high value commercial property and lease agreements for both private high nett worth and commercial clients
- Negotiated and drafted multiple diverse commercial agreements
- 15 years acting as attorney and legal advisor for a large commercial real estate investment and development company with assets in excess of €50 Million
- Advised on and attended to the conclusion of agreements and conveyancing in respect of a commercial structured real estate portfolio sale to the value of €45 Million to Investec Property Fund.
- 10 years as attorney and legal advisor for one of South Africa’s largest fully-serviced office leasing business, attending to all legal, commercial, contractual and real estate requirements and personal attorney to its directors and led the negotiation and drafted the contracts for the sale of their business to Regus International
- Attended to the conclusion of commercial and structured finance contracts and real estate transfers valued in excess of €150 Million
- Won a precedent-setting and reported judgment in the Supreme Court of Appeal for South Africa’s largest property auction house with respect to the law relating to vendor bidding on auction
- Ran multiple large-scale commercial litigation matters in the High Courts and Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa and commercial arbitrations (including in the International Chamber of Commerce, Copenhagen, Denmark)
- Family office attorney for multiple high net worth individuals, providing specialist legal advice across a wide range of disciplines including wealth structuring, employment, real estate and family matters
Partner
Harris de Jongh Attorneys
Johannesburg, South Africa
07.2002 - 06.2004
- Founding partner in a boutique contracts, commercial, litigation and real estate law firm
- Managed relationships with senior clients and provided sound legal advice on commercial structures and agreements
- Drafted and reviewed a variety of commercial contracts for a wide range of commercial transactions, including sale of business, share sale and shareholder contracts, employment agreements and company disciplinary codes and codes of conduct
- Ran multiple large scale commercial litigation matters in the High Courts and Magistrates Courts of South Africa
- Headed up property and conveyancing division and attended to multiple high value commercial property transfers and new housing developments and associated conveyancing
- Negotiated and concluded software licence agreement between South African client licence holder for sole and exclusive African rights with Sungard AS
Education
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Tests - Law
Law Society of Ireland
Dublin, Ireland 01.2020 - 11.2020
Higher Diploma - Company Law
University of South Africa
South Africa 01.2015 - 07.2015
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Tests - Law
Law Society of England & Wales
London, England 01.2008 - 07.2008
LLB - Law
University of Johannesburg
01.1995 - 01.1998
B. Comm - Accounting
University of Johannesburg
01.1991 - 01.1994
Skills
- In-house legal counsel
- Understanding of contract law
- Complex issue analysis
- Contract reviewing
- Conflict Resolution
- Case Management
- Document preparation
- Drafting correspondence
- Document drafting
- Legal compliance
- Legal advising
- Legal research
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Business development
- Strategic thinking
Accomplishments
Admitted Solicitor, Republic of Ireland (2020)
Admitted solicitor, England & Wales (2009)
Admitted Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa (2002)
Admitted Notary Public of the High Court of South Africa (2001)
Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, with Right of Appearance (2000)
Timeline
In-house Legal Counsel
MARR Holdings
01.2023 - Current
Associate Director
KPMG
03.2022 - 11.2022
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Tests - Law
Law Society of Ireland
01.2020 - 11.2020
Higher Diploma - Company Law
University of South Africa
01.2015 - 07.2015
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Tests - Law
Law Society of England & Wales
01.2008 - 07.2008
Founder / Managing Director
Andrew de Jongh Inc Attorneys
07.2004 - 02.2022
Partner
Harris de Jongh Attorneys
07.2002 - 06.2004
LLB - Law
University of Johannesburg
01.1995 - 01.1998
B. Comm - Accounting
University of Johannesburg
01.1991 - 01.1994
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