For Women in Law

We are starting this Women’s Month off with an interview with the phenomenal Mpho Chitapi who is a Technology Media and Telecommunications Law attorney and the head of legal at Nedbank Group Technology. I have been following Mpho’s career very closely for some time now and she really is someone who shows up in excellence.
Mpho was previously the youngest black female partner at Africa’s largest law firm, ENSAfrica, at the tender age of 27. Some of her achievements include being recognised as M&G Top 200 Young South Africans and a SAPSA Young Professional of the Year finalist.
For those of you who are interested in doing the switch from practice to in-house counsel, I think this interview will really speak to you.
She also uses her online platform to discuss personal finance for young professional. Sharing the wisdom – she’s definitely our kinda girl!

Below is our interview with this amazing woman in law.

FWIL:
What inspired you to study law?
MC:

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been very attracted to the law. One of my Mom’s close friend was a Magistrate (now a judge) and I always looked up to her growing up, she was sophisticated, independent and just the kind of woman I wanted to be when I grew up. Later on when I matured, while the mainstream shows certainly played their part (big fan of Legally Blonde) I was intrigued by the idea of law as a career path. I was especially excited by how a complex system of laws could govern industries, countries and quite frankly the whole world. I definitely wanted to be a part of this enormous system

FWIL:
Why a specific interest in technology law?
MC:

Ending up in technology law was a wonderful stroke of luck. When I graduated, I desperately wanted to be a Competition Lawyer as I always wanted to be part of a niche and growing area of law. My second choice was Commercial Law. I was quite devastated to learn that I had not been placed in the competition law department, nor would I be a high-flying M&A Attorney. I knew absolutely nothing about technology law – but knew from the very beginning that this is where God wanted me so I gave it my everything.

FWIL:
Before your current role, you were a practicing attorney and partner at ENSAfrica, please tell us what inspired you to leave practice and become an in-house counsel?
MC:

Some time into my associateship I realised that I didn’t want to be a practicing attorney for the rest of my career – it was always a question of the right time to leave. Practicing law in a big law firm is exhilarating. It is fast paced, and the learning and growth is exponential. At times, there’s hardly a chance to stop and catch your breath. You get a rush from it. When you are 22 years old and your career is your singular focus, there’s no better place to be. Honestly, I knew that at some point, the job could become quite demanding. My plan was therefore to position myself as best as I could to make the jump into an in-house role when the time was right. I was curious about sitting on the other side and being the client. Initially, upon making Partner, my plan was still to spend a few years as Partner and settle into the role. However, when the in-house opportunity presented itself, I recognised it as the break I had always been waiting for. It was bittersweet because on the one hand, I was really excited about my recent promotion to Partner, on the other hand, the opportunity I’d always been dreaming of was here. I followed my heart!

FWIL:
What is your advice to practicing attorneys who are also interested in doing the switch?
MC:

Everyone’s experience is different. I would say to them identify the type of in-house role which you would like to go into. Use your time in practice to develop as much experience and skill as you can to make yourself an indispensable tool to your prospective role. For example, involve yourself in matters that will give you exposure to the type of work you know will grow your skills and give you more exposure to the type of clients you know you would like to work for. This may involve approaching colleagues you wouldn’t ordinarily work with – and even taking on work over and above your day to day tasks. Upskill! Take courses that make you attractive and will get the attention of your prospective employer. This means knowing exactly what your prospective employer’s problems are and what solutions they are looking for when they come to lawyers (you). Essentially, you have to demonstrate a clear value proposition when moving into an in-house role.

FWIL:
You are the Head of Legal at Nedbank’s Group Technology division, is this a position you have always seen yourself in? if so, what intentional steps did you take in order to get there?
MC:

I certainly fantasized about this role long before I stepped into it. I knew it was just the kind of role I wanted to occupy. Much as I fantasized about it, I honestly never thought I would fill this specific role when I did. I did know that I wanted to head up a team whilst still working in the dynamic area of tech media and telecommunications law – especially with the advent of 4IR. That was my edge and so I wanted to align myself with that as much as I could. I was very deliberate about this. I registered for an LLM focusing on Information Communications Law. I wrote regularly about topical issues in the TMT space. I started increasing my visibility on social media (LinkedIn and Instagram) to establish myself as an authoritative voice in my chosen area of expertise. All my efforts, unbeknownst to me at the time, were noticed by my prospective employer. At the time I was putting myself out there, I honestly did not know exactly how the LLM, the articles, the social media presence would come together, but I knew it was all contributing towards something bigger.

FWIL:
As a young black woman in law, have you experienced gender and race-related bias? Please tell us about the challenges, if any, that you have faced.
MC:

I have been fortunate to have worked with colleagues who have been alive to my reality of being a young black female, as opposed to being colour blind and by extension oblivious to the challenges which have been unique to me. That being said, the support of my colleagues, great as it was, could not always shield me from the realities of being a young black female.
As I was preparing my response to this question, my husband reminded me of an incident when I was speaker at a seminar held at the Crowne Plaza. I invited him to attend the seminar so he could see his wife in action. He arrived quite late but caught the tail-end of my talk. At lunch, while speaking with some of the other delegates and attendees I introduced my husband while answering many of the questions they had related to my presentation. After my husband had joined us, all of the legal questions were all of a sudden being directed to my husband. It was very bizarre. My husband, bless his soul, has an accounting and finance background. Despite his several efforts to redirect the questions back to me, they just kept addressing them back to him. There I was, a whole accomplished expert with a Masters in my area of expertise, and these people wanted another man to validate what I was saying. A man who is not a lawyer, never mind a technology law expert and who visibly arrived late to my presentation now had to verify what I was saying.
The significance of pointing out that my husband reminded me of this incident is because I had completely forgotten it. I guess I blocked out the entire episode from my memory. It has made me wonder how many other experiences like this I have deleted from my memory in an effort to ‘survive’.

FWIL:
What does being an alpha female mean to you and would you describe yourself as one?
MC:

Being an alpha female, to me, means being a woman in your own right. It means defining the terms of your existence. The alpha female has cracked the code of Self-Mastery. It is about being wildly free and self-sufficient.
I would describe myself as an alpha female in the making

FWIL:
Do you identify as a feminist? (Why/why not)
MC:

Of course. I am a fierce believer in treating all genders equally. In the words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “We should all be feminists”. It is not just the job of women to be feminists and advocate for equality but the responsibility of humanity more general.

FWIL:
What does women empowerment mean to you?
MC:

Women empowerment first and foremost is about understanding our differences. It is about being sensitive and alive to the unique and exclusive challenges faced by women. It is only at this point that you can then meaningfully engage in initiatives to empower women.
Women empowerment is not only about truly giving women a platform to unapologetically showcase their expertise but about actively and deliberately putting in place redressive steps in order to address the status quo. These steps involve mentoring and sponsorship from C-level executives and giving women A LOT of stretch opportunities.

FWIL:
The journey of a legal professional is not always easy. What are some of the lessons you have learned along the way and how have they shaped your outlook on life?
MC:

  • No matter what stage of your career you are in, remain teachable always. Lean into the arduous tasks that no one likes, and no one wants to do. While this may not always be the best strategy, it certainly distinguishes you from the rest.
  • Mistakes, mishaps and conflict are not always unavoidable, again, how you deal with them will distinguish you from others. Never respond to anything when if you are angry.
  • Be nice, cordial and polite to everyone you meet. It costs nothing but can pay off exponentially in rooms you know nothing about.
    FWIL:
    What is the best advice you would give to the modern career woman?
    MC:
    Take care of yourself. You are your biggest asset. Professionally, this means investing in upskilling and development to make sure you are at the top of your game always. There is no excuse for becoming technically lethargic – stay informed. Take courses, read up on issues which affect your area of expertise, we are in the digital age where information is more readily available than it used to be. There should be no doubt as to what your level of competency is. Personally, invest in your physical and mental wellbeing. If the powerhouse which carries you across the corporate jungle is depleted, how can you possibly hope to operate as the best version of yourself. Finally, pay attention to your financial wellness. As women, we are taught that it is rude to talk about money. I disagree. Take a keen interest in your personal finance. With financial security, comes a sense of ownership, self-sufficiency and self-determination. When you operate from a sense of financial wellness, you are able to make better overall decisions about your life. I have a vlog discussing this very point on my IGTV.

FWIL:
What recent change/amendment in the law has caught your attention? (Do you agree with the change? Why/why not)
MC:

It’s not an amendment as such, but it is the coming into effect of POPI. This is huge. It is concerning that implementation of the Act has taken as long as it has, especially considering the advancements of the internet age where personal data can and has been so easily exploited. I have a keen interest in privacy and privacy laws and I am elated that we can finally hold large corporations to account when it comes to the use of our personal information. Incidents such as those related to Cambridge Analytica have devastating implications for humanity, and privacy laws help hold these kind of perpetrators accountable.

FWIL:
How do you meet other professionals and what are some of your effective networking skills?
MC:

I love to attend networking events and seminars. This is a great way to stay informed and meet people. I would not be a true technology lawyer if I didn’t speak about the digital age and the power of technology. I have met some amazing professionals on platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn who I may never have met in person. These platforms can be leveraged to connect with like-minded professionals. Do not sleep on social media guys. Use it to your benefit. I met most, if not all my mentees on social media and I have approached other professionals who I admire on social media. Some people may not always be receptive, but do not let that get you down.

FWIL:
What books have you read that have greatly influenced your life?
MC:

The Alchemist was life-changing for me.

FWIL:
What’s a quote that you live by? Your mantra
MC:

“You can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Perseverance is the mother of success.”

FWIL:
What is your take on mentorship and are you open to mentoring young lawyers or law students?
MC:

I strongly believe in mentorship and should have leveraged this much earlier on in my career. I currently have my hands full with a few mentees. It is a very rewarding experience.

FWIL:
How can people reach out to you? (social media handles)
MC:

LinkedIn – Mpho Chitapi
Instagram – @madam_attorney

6 Responses

  1. I love this. Absolutely inspiring. As a recent law graduate, this makes me want to work extra hard to reach greater heights. Thank you Mpho.

  2. A phenomenal women you are …. very insightful interviews. People like you are needed in the society we leave. Keep up the good work.

  3. This alpha woman is so brave I don’t believe I’m seeing her after the long years journey when her late father Billy Manyaka raised me. I’m so proud of her. She grew up right in front of my eyes not knowing she will become this essential. Mpho keep the ball rolling never give you’ll reach where you want to be. Follow your words by meaning perseverance is the mother of success

  4. Keep the Alpha woman strong specially in this present moment where we come across most of GBV.

  5. What a force! Sending love and a bucket load of appreciation to you Mpho. Thank you for always finding time to share a piece of yourself with us. You are a true inspiration to many. As i plan to transition from private practice to corporate, this interview will certainly come in handly.

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