Nikita specialises in all aspects of employment law. She has particular expertise in employee transfers, managing the people aspect of large corporate reorganisations as well as post-transfer integration and harmonisation.
In addition, she advises both domestic and foreign clients on a wide range of employment issues including executive terminations, alternative staffing arrangements, compliance, redundancies and workplace investigations (including those with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and United Kingdom Bribery Act implications).
Expertise
Industries
Experience
Representative matters
Advising a multinational technology company on various issues relating to atypical working arrangements, termination and restructuring, and playing a leading role in co-ordinating and reviewing advice on these issues from 80+ jurisdictions worldwide.
Advising a multinational food service company on the exit of a part of its local business operations. The exit required extensive consultations with a local trade union and the resolution of an unprotected strike. Further advised on a subsequent transfer of that part of the business and restructuring of the remaining local operations.*
Advising an infrastructure solutions and communications service provider on the possible acquisition of a business, the employment issues relating to the transfer of business as a going concern, the anticipated transfer of almost 2,000 workers and the possibility of redundancies following the transfer.*
Advising an international services company on the transfer of a number of staff based in South Africa. The transfer was complicated by the fact that the local staff were employed through a Dubai-based subsidiary of an entity operating in the United Kingdom. The transfer, resolution of integration issues and exit of certain executives therefore required compliance with the laws in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.*
* Denotes experience before joining A&O
Advising a multinational food service company on the exit of a part of its local business operations. The exit required extensive consultations with a local trade union and the resolution of an unprotected strike. Further advised on a subsequent transfer of that part of the business and restructuring of the remaining local operations.*
Advising an infrastructure solutions and communications service provider on the possible acquisition of a business, the employment issues relating to the transfer of business as a going concern, the anticipated transfer of almost 2,000 workers and the possibility of redundancies following the transfer.*
Advising an international services company on the transfer of a number of staff based in South Africa. The transfer was complicated by the fact that the local staff were employed through a Dubai-based subsidiary of an entity operating in the United Kingdom. The transfer, resolution of integration issues and exit of certain executives therefore required compliance with the laws in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.*
* Denotes experience before joining A&O
Published Work
- Co-author, “South Africa”, The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Review, 2014
- Co-author, “South Africa”, The International Insolvency Review, 2013-2014
Speaking Engagements
- Guest Speaker, Monitoring Employees’ Electronic Communication and the Diminished Right to Privacy, South African Society for Labour Law Annual Conference, 23/07/2016
Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations
- Board Member, Advisory Board to the Rhodes University Law Faculty.
Qualifications
Admissions
Attorney, South Africa, 2013
Academic
Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law, University of Johannesburg, 2014
Master of Commerce (Taxation) (cum laude), Rhodes University, 2013
Advanced Certificate in Business Rescue Practice (cum laude), Centre for Business Law of the University of South Africa and the Law Society of South Africa, 2012
Bachelor of Laws, Rhodes University, 2009
Bachelor of Arts (Legal Theory and Psychology), Rhodes University, 2007
Master of Commerce (Taxation) (cum laude), Rhodes University, 2013
Advanced Certificate in Business Rescue Practice (cum laude), Centre for Business Law of the University of South Africa and the Law Society of South Africa, 2012
Bachelor of Laws, Rhodes University, 2009
Bachelor of Arts (Legal Theory and Psychology), Rhodes University, 2007
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.