Open to opportunities

TANYA VALENTE

@tanyavalente

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Qualified attorney and business consultant specialising in commercial law, governance and compliance.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I seek senior legal or advisory roles where I can lead governance, compliance and commercial legal work, drive restructurings, and deliver practical, business-focused legal solutions.

I am a commercially astute attorney and business consultant with extensive experience across corporate, property, regulatory and employment matters, and a keen interest in investment fund formation and venture capital transactions. I combine rigorous analytical and drafting skills with business leadership training (MBL) to translate complex legal frameworks into pragmatic, client-focused solutions.

Throughout my career I have led contract lifecycle management, complex regulatory research, company restructurings and turnarounds, and built governance and compliance systems for SMEs and corporates. I have a proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes — including successful company reinstatement, substantial operating-cost reductions, and the sale of a manufacturing business following process optimisation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Legal and Business Consultant

Current

Valente Attorneys

Jan 1997 - Present (28 years 10 months)

Provided full-scope legal advisory and business consulting across corporate, property, and regulatory matters, delivering contract lifecycle management and compliance systems that improved governance and reduced client legal risk.

Contract Drafting Compliance Corporate Governance Legal Research Risk Management Due Diligence Regulatory

In-house Legal Counsel

Ersam Projects (Pty) Ltd

Jan 2022 - Aug 2025 (3 years 7 months)

Led litigation-focused research and corporate reinstatement work, obtained a court order to reinstate a liquidated company, and produced sector research and legal briefs supporting affordable housing and sectional title strategies.

Legal Briefing Sectional Titles Stakeholder Engagement Counsel Instructions

In-house Attorney & General Manager

Mvelo Jacking and Construction (Pty) Ltd

Jan 2017 - Dec 2019 (2 years 11 months)

Managed legal and operational functions, led a Section 189 restructuring that reduced overheads by 40%, implemented governance and compliance systems, and executed debt recovery and cost-reduction initiatives.

Restructuring Governance Debt Recovery Contract Management HR Compliance

Co-founder and Director

Matemba Management (Pty) Ltd

Jan 2003 - Dec 2007 (4 years 11 months)

Founded and scaled an inter-link trailer manufacturing and assembly business, improving assembly cycle time from 21 to 3 days and exiting via sale of the company, premises, and intellectual property within three years.

Business Development Operations Management Process Optimization Manufacturing Commercial Negotiation Client Management Strategic Planning

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of South Africa - School of Business Leadership

Master of Business Leadership, Business Leadership

2004 - 2007

Completed a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) at the Unisa School of Business Leadership between 2004 and 2007, focused on business leadership and corporate governance.

University of Pretoria

Bachelor of Laws, Law

1994 - 1997

Activities and societies: Law School - School for Legal Practice (University of Pretoria) in 1997

Completed an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) at the University of Pretoria from 1994 to 1997, providing professional legal qualification for admission as an attorney.