Azola’s day as a candidate attorney

From a young age, I was drawn to the legal profession due to my involvement in debating clubs, and this passion was further fuelled during my university years.

Last modified

9 Dec 2024

Read time

3 minutes

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Azola’s day as a candidate attorney

Meet Azola 

From a young age, I was drawn to the legal profession due to my involvement in debating clubs, and this passion was further fuelled during my university years. I participated in several programmes that brought me closer to the dream of working for a top law firm. An internship at Hengeler Mueller Law Firm in Germany was also a pivotal experience that solidified my ambition to work in a corporate firm. I actually always knew I wanted to get into law, but I only started to appreciate the corporate aspects of it later in my degree.                                                            

A typical day as a candidate attorney for Azola

During my first rotation in the Real Estate practice, my days started early, often before 7:30, as I aimed to be in the office before my directors arrived. This allowed me to be present and ready for any immediate tasks or updates required by my hands-on directors. Each morning began with a briefing session where I updated one of my directors on the progress of the previous day's work and received new instructions for the day ahead.

One of my regular duties involved traveling to the deeds office in Cape Town for lodgements, notes or inquiries. These trips were enlightening as they provided a firsthand look at the conveyancing process. Upon returning to the office, I would update my director(s) and dive into the files on my desk. My days also included joining my director in consultations with clients, and as I gained more experience, I was entrusted with meeting clients on my own to sign papers (not consult), which also offered invaluable exposure.

Currently, I am in the third week of a rotation in the Corporate and Commercial Practice, which includes working with the Banking, Finance and Projects team. My mornings are dedicated to continuing work on ongoing matters, attending consultations with directors and associates, and drafting contracts – tasks that often extend into the early hours of the morning. The dynamic nature of this department keeps me engaged and constantly learning. 

We asked Azola what it’s like to be a candidate attorney 

How did you choose your rotations? 

I submitted a wish list of the three practice areas I wanted to explore. Interestingly, my first rotation was not on my list, but it turned out to be the best starting point. It significantly improved my drafting and communication skills, opening me up to new opportunities and experiences.

What are your tips for new candidate attorneys?

  • Remain as open-minded as possible.
  • Be willing to put in extra hours and be ready to compromise some weekends to complete tasks. This dedication sets you apart.
  • Also do your best to make sure that your seniors can rely on you.

What is your favourite part of being a candidate attorney?

Being surrounded by some of the best attorneys in the country is incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to connect with and learn from these professionals is invaluable and constantly inspires me to improve.

What was most surprising about the candidate attorney role? 

The long and often unpredictable hours – I didn’t think I had the stamina, but my capacity has grown.  

How do you find working for CDH?

Working for CDH is great. I feel really grateful to have connected with so many people whom I learn from every day. The culture of excellence at CDH is inspiring; watching my directors and associates work hard motivates me so much.

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