Overview  

Advocacy for in-house counsel extends well beyond courtroom strategy. Unlike external lawyers, in-house counsel operate from within the business, serving as strategic advisors who must align legal guidance with commercial objectives while managing complex internal dynamics and stakeholder priorities. 

This webinar presents in-house advocacy skills required to translate legal complexities into clear, business-relevant advice, tailoring communication for diverse audiences and actively shaping decisions rather than reacting to them.  

Join Adv. Dwight Snyman on 12 June 2025 from 13h00 to 14h30 as he unpacks the critical advocacy skills in-house legal professionals need to elevate their influence, drive decision-making and add strategic value to their organisations.    

Learning objectives  

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Help you grasp how advocacy for in-house counsel differs from courtroom advocacy, focusing on influencing internal decision-making, managing risk and protecting organisational interests across diverse commercial and regulatory settings. 

• Equip you with techniques to adapt their advocacy style and messaging for different audiences; whether board members, executives, regulators, operational teams or external legal advisors. 

• Provide practical guidance on how to advocate persuasively in negotiations, internal disputes and high-stakes decision-making, ensuring legal positions are aligned with commercial objectives and organisational risk appetite. 

• Prepare you to effectively represent their organization in moments of legal, regulatory, or reputational crisis, ensuring clear, confident, and commercially astute advocacy under pressure. 

• Develop skills needed to advocate internally for the strategic use of external lawyers and how to manage, brief and collaborate with external legal teams to ensure seamless alignment with corporate strategy and priorities. 

Content

The webinar will cover the following topics: 

• The Evolving Role of In-House Counsel as Advocates.
  • Corporate Legal Advocacy vs Traditional Courtroom Advocacy.
  • Strategic Legal Risk Management.
  • Operational and Commercial Integration of Legal Functions.
  • Corporate Governance and Legal Oversight.
• Audience-Centric Advocacy Techniques
  • Stakeholder Analysis and Communication Strategies
  • Tailoring Legal Submissions to Non-Legal Audiences
  • Boardroom Advocacy: Structuring Submissions for Executive Decision-Makers
  • Regulatory Advocacy: Engagement with Statutory and Supervisory Authorities
  • Internal Advocacy: Advising Business Units, HR, Compliance, and Operations

• Negotiation Advocacy and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Principled Negotiation Techniques
  • Settlement Strategy Formulation
  • Managing Commercial Disputes Pre-Litigation
  • Advocating in Mediation, Arbitration, and Conciliation
  • Interest-Based vs Positional Bargaining in Commercial Contexts
• Crisis Advocacy and Reputational Risk Management
  • Legal Crisis Management Frameworks
  • Media and Public Relations Advocacy in Legal Controversies
  • Rapid Response Legal Strategies
  • Engaging with Regulators and Enforcement Agencies under Duress
  • Preserving Privilege and Confidentiality in Crisis Communications

• Strategic Briefing and Management of External Counsel
  • Instruction Protocols and Scope of Mandates
  • Cost-Efficiency and Fee Structure Negotiation
  • Advocating the Organisation's Position through External Counsel
  • Oversight, Reporting, and Performance Management of Panel Firms
  • Coordinating Multi-Jurisdictional Legal Representation
• Decision-Shaping Advocacy within Corporate Structures
  • Legal Policy Development and Implementation
  • Advocating for Legal Compliance Frameworks
  • Participating in Strategic Business Planning
  • Balancing Legal Risk and Commercial Expediency
  • Influencing Organizational Decision-Making without Direct Authority

• Ethical and Professional Considerations in Corporate Advocacy
  • Duties to the Organisation vs Personal Ethical Obligations
  • Conflict of Interest Management
  • Upholding Professional Privilege in Multi-Stakeholder Environments
  • Confidentiality in Complex Corporate Structures
  • Adherence to Regulatory and Bar Council Directives

About the presenter 

Adv. Dwight Snyman 

Adv. Dwight Snyman is an admitted member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates and is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Council as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Adv. Snyman completed articles of clerkship, and attorney’s competency exams under the auspices of the Wits Law Clinic. He completed his Advocacy pupillage under the tutelage of the esteemed Adv. Louis Du Bruyn. 

Adv. Snyman has had opportunity and success in litigation, in the High and Magistrates’ Courts of the republic, the CCMA, Disciplinary Hearings and assorted other venues and forums, and has become possessed of practical litigation experience beyond what would normally be expected from a practitioner of his age and seniority. He is the holder of a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) from the University of Cape Town, and postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Witwatersrand, for which he was accorded the honour of being on the Dean’s list for his academic performance.    

Who should attend?  

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar:  

• Corporate legal professionals 

• Advocates.  

• Attorneys. .  

• Candidate attorneys.  

• Law students.  

• Paralegals.  

Price               

• R 400.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

• Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)   

• Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)   

• Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users)  

Steps to register for the event:   

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar.  

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar.  

Click here  to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series).  

Click here  to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options.  

Additional material  

By attending this webinar you will be provided with:  

• A summarised slide presentation.  

• Reference documents and/ or course material where available.  

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar.  

About SA Legal Academy  

Welcome to SA Legal Academy (SALA), a provider of courses to help you succeed in your chosen career. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Our courses are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and enhance your career prospects. With our experienced training staff and comprehensive resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training from SA Legal Academy.  

SALA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses.  

Corporate Training Solutions  

At SALA, we recognise the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in legal and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.  

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.  

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 012 941 0448. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals.  

Contact Us For More Information  

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!   

• Online chat through our website.   

• Phone: +27 (0) 12 941 0448   

• E-mail: [email protected]