ENSafrica‘s employment law practice continues to act for prominent mining, retail, aviation and financial sector clients on a broad spectrum of matters. Dion Masher, who is the national head of the employment department, has a solid track record in handling work for public sector entities, and counts pension fund issues, collective bargaining, corporate restructurings, restraints of trade and industrial action matters as key areas of expertise. Brian Patterson specialises in compensation work, and Muzi Khoza is especially active in labour litigation. Fritz Malan is a key contact for sports-related employment issues, and Joe Mothibi  regularly acts for telecoms and technology clients. Balindile Shezi, Audrey Johnson, Stuart Harrison and Ross Alcock are key practitioners to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Innovative practical solutions, available on demand, incredible knowledge of up to date cases. Most importantly, they know the client and give fair advice.’

  • ‘Muzi Khoza is an exceptional partner who is well versed with industry players and naturally intuitive with labour law.’

  • ‘Practical and business orientated solutions to client needs.'

  • ‘Advice is very carefully researched. They are candid in providing advice, even if it is not necessarily what the client wants to hear.’

  • ‘Brian Patterson is extremely knowledgeable in labour law and is very thorough in his advice. His advice is based on his many years of actual experience on labour law matters, not just case law.’

Key clients

  • Southern Sun Hotel Interests Proprietary Limited
  • Oceana Group Limited
  • Golden Arrow Bus Services (Pty) Ltd
  • Department of Home Affairs
  • Nutun Proprietary Limited
  • Deutsche Securities (Pty) Ltd
  • South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
  • South African Revenue Service
  • South African Airways SOC
  • Minerals Council South Africa

Work highlights

  • Represented Southern Sun in a dispute with trade union SACCAWU concerning a 5.5% salary increase granted to the union's members, effective from April 2020; due to the COVID-19 pandemic the salary increase was not granted.
  • Advised the Oceana Group in relation to an investigation into wide-ranging allegations raised by senior employees with the client's external auditors, who treated the employees as whistleblowers.
  • Advising Golden Arrow Bus Services on a multi-streamed strategy to address a significant wage disparity issue, developed over time due to wage rates based on seniority in place at the company and across-the-board increases imposed by collective agreements concluded in an industry bargaining council.

Lawyers

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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Dion Masher

Other key lawyers

Brian Patterson, Stuart Harrison, Ross Alcock, Muzi Khoza, Fritz Malan, Balindile Shezi, Joe Mothibi, Audrey Johnson