About.

JR Law is a boutique practice that offers Small to Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”), as well as individuals, with ongoing and ad hoc in-house legal advisory and compliance services. From contract review to initial dispute resolution, JR Law strives to alleviate the frustrations faced by SMEs when applying resources, time, knowledge and ability to legal services. In pursuit of saving unnecessary expenditure and division of resource allocation, JR Law offers tailor-made packages based on the SME’s specific requirements taking into consideration fees and time thereby providing the SME with affordable and dependable services as well as certainty in the final account.

JR Law is directed and managed by Joni Bernstein. Joni completed pupilage and qualified as an advocate in 2009 whereafter she practiced at the Johannesburg Society of Advocates for a period of eight years. Joni gained a significant amount of knowledge and experience in commercial law and commercial litigation which encouraged her to pursue a career in private business.

For a period of three years following her time at the Bar, Joni provided legal advice to a private equity enterprise and to a start-up technology enterprise which advice included contract drafting, vetting, negotiation and early dispute resolution.

Having been in both practice and in-house employment, Joni birthed the concept of the “freelance” in-house counsel in early 2020.

Why Work With Us.

JR Law is a boutique legal practice which strives to alleviate the frustrations faced by small to medium enterprises (“SME’s”) when the consideration to make use of legal services arises.

SME’s greatly benefit from legal services but most often attempt to avoid engaging lawyers on the most basic level due to resources, time, knowledge and ability. This is  especially true in circumstances where the service required is simply a “read over” or a minor amendment to terms and conditions.

In pursuit of saving unnecessary expenditure, SME’s may not allocate any portion of their budget to legal services. Only when there is a crisis or perhaps a substantial contract, adjustments will be made in the budget to accommodate legal fees. The result of this type of resource allocation is that a key individual, whose primary focus should be on sales or business development, is dividing their time to “DIY” the SME’s other legal requirements. The doubling up of resources also leads to time constraints as focus is divided. And due to an albeit intelligent, but otherwise unqualified resource trying to DIY the SME’s legal requirements, the resource will spend an unnecessary amount of time attending to the legal requirements and possibly concluding the exercise without finality.

What are the solutions available to the SME when it can no longer divide its resources in this way? Should the SME employ an in-house legal adviser so as to have legal services on tap? Should the business find an inexpensive lawyer who can be available as and when required?

When deciding to go down the route of full time employment, you take the risk that the employee is not a suitable match to the business and now the business will have to engage on labour related matters. The business will also become obligated to undertake tax related requirements on behalf of the employee such as PAYE and UIF contributions.

This would lead you to believe that  the best solution is then to find an inexpensive attorney who can fulfil the legal requirements of the SME on an ad hoc basis. But at the end of the month, when you have made one too many phone calls to your appointed attorney, the bill is astronomical and the attempts to avoid expenditure have been derailed.

Now is the time to unburden the frustrations legal services and mitigate the risks of employment and conventional briefing patterns.

Consider JR Law as your “freelance” in-house counsel. Whilst being an “on-tap” resource to the SME, there are no employment risks and our tailor-made fee structure is based on your specific requirements. JR Law offers reliable and efficient services which are affordable and dependable. Whether it is an ad hoc project fee or monthly retainer fee, there is always certainty for both of us.

Let’s work together to solve all your legal requirements.

Services.

Freelance In-House Counsel

JR Law’s in-house counsel services provide you with a “lawyer on tap” without the risks and hassles of full-time employment or the anxiety of the inevitable looming invoice. Our relationship is determined at the outset of the engagement and is based on reliability, dependability and certainty. Fees are determined on whether the engagement is an ad hoc project (such as the creation of standard terms and conditions or the drafting of inaugural company documents) or ongoing services (such as contract drafting, negotiation, initial dispute resolution and settlement).

JR Law is available to you when you need us. Technology has brought us closer together allowing us to be geographically distant but instantly connected. JR Law will, if required, attend at your business premises thereby alleviating the need for you to travel or be away from your business for any length of time.

Compliance

JR Law has the skills and abilities to service your compliance needs. If you are regulated by any legislation or think any recent legislation might apply to your business, JR Law will provide the guidance you need to navigate your compliance obligations.

Mediation

JR Law is able to offer mediation services as both a mediator and a representative of a party who has submitted themselves for mediation.

Pricing.

Our fees are fixed and competitive.

For ad hoc services, the fees for the specific task will be quoted upfront. These fees are not time-based but rather project specific thereby giving you peace of mind that the fee is not dictated by the clock.

For ongoing in-house counsel services, a retainer fee will be negotiated based on the manner in which the services are to be provided. We can provide the services at your offices or remotely, daily or on selected days of the week or month.

Thought Leadership.

Whether you’re an individual or an SME, you live in a world that is governed by laws. If you’re purchasing items at your local grocery store or providing and/or receiving a service, you’re coming into contact with the law. And this is a wonderful thing, because without the law and the set of rules that govern our daily lives, there would be utter chaos.

Every business or individual has the need for consistent and streamlined services. That is a given. When you find a service provider that is sophisticated, high-end, but still affordable, caters for all, and also goes beyond the expected – that is rare find, and you should hold onto it.

Contact.

Get in touch with us for more information on our services or for your legal requirements.