Christine Jesseman

Summary Profile

Christine is a director in our Pro Bono and Human Rights practice. She is responsible for the development and management of the firm's pro bono and human rights practice, both with regard to its existing projects and individual matters, as well as the identification of future projects.

Career

Before joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Christine was a senior legal advisor at Ashira Legal Advisors (2010), where she focused on transaction advisory services for governments. Prior to this, she was with the South African Human Rights Commission where she held the positions of Head of Programme (Director): Research, Documentation and Policy Analysis (2008 - 2010) and Co-ordinator (Deputy Director): Human Rights and Business Special Programme (2007 - 2008). Christine completed her articles at Edward Nathan and Friedland in Johannesburg, was admitted as an attorney in 2001, and practised in ENF's PPP department.

In 2002 and 2003, Christine gained experience in the United Kingdom while studying at the University of Cambridge. She issued a joint written submission with Dr Christopher Forsyth (Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge) to the SA Law Commission on Consolidated Legislation Pertaining to International Co-operation in Civil Matters. She was a research assistant to Dr Christopher Forsyth for portions of the 9th edition of H.W.R Wade and C.F. Forsyth, Administrative Law (Oxford University Press, 2004), as well as for the 4th edition of Private International Law: Modern Roman-Dutch Law including the Jurisdiction of the High Courts (Juta, 2003). During her LLM she also conducted research for Prof Malcolm Shaw on a human rights matter.

Christine has published contributions in the field of women's rights as well as human rights and business.

Education

• Currently registered for LLD, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (in the field of gender studies, international law, human rights law and jurisprudence)
• LLM (Human Rights and Civil Liberties) distinction, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
• LLB BCom (Law), University of Pretoria
• Sub-regional Workshop on National Inquiries for National Human Rights Institutions, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Zambia
• Year of admission as an attorney: 2001

Experience

• Christine has had exposure to and involvement in commercial and inter-government negotiations and multiparty forums. She has represented the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) at numerous forums and conferences.
• Christine completed numerous research projects, publications, investigation and public hearing reports and terms of reference in the context of positions at the SAHRC. These were in relation to the specialist portfolios which she managed, namely economic and social rights, crime, human rights and economy, human rights and business, environment, racism, non-nationals, older persons, HIV/AIDS, disability and children.
• Christine conducted research on specific human rights complaints while at the SAHRC, human rights and business, mining and human rights, economic and social rights, housing, health, food, access to medicines and pharmaceutical companies. She completed submissions on draft legislation and has been involved in the SAHRC's specialist portfolios, as well as being the first Coordinator of the human rights and business portfolio.
• Christine also has experience in various aspects of general and specialised commercial law, as well as administrative law, international law and constitutional law.
• Christine's special area of interest is "human rights and business", with regard to which she has participated in and spoken at numerous national and international conferences and other forums.
• Christine's special interest in human rights and business is further grounded upon her commercial experience and exposure to public sector projects. Her commercial exposure includes: unit trust amalgamations and Variable Loan Stock conversions; due diligence work; general and specialised contractual drafting, research and opinions; and property work. Christine's public sector exposure includes: Review of a PPP in the health sector; and involvement in projects in the energy sector, communications, custodial services and forestry.

Academic Awards and Achievements

• South African National Research Foundation Prestigious Scholarship for doctoral studies abroad (2002-2005)
• Cambridge Commonwealth Trust bursary (2002-2004)
• Girton College Graduate Research Scholarship (2002-2004)
• Cambridge University Humanitarian Trust Studentship in International Law (2002-2004)
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (full LL.M scholarship to the UK, 1999)
• Northwest Star Bursary (1996)
• University of Pretoria Academic Achievement Bursaries (1993-1997)
• University of Pretoria Academic Honorary Colours (1995 and 1997)
• Certificate for the highest achievement in Private International Law 510 (University of Pretoria, 1997)
• Certificate for the highest achievement in Public International Law 510 (University of Pretoria, 1997)
• Daan Pont Award for the best achievement in Private Law 410 and 420 exams or in Advanced Law of Succession and Administration of Estates 511 and Intellectual Property Law 520 (University of Pretoria, 1997)
• Certificate for the highest achievement in Constitutional Law 410 (University of Pretoria, 1996)