Matthew Lehman

Experience

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  Whitesides Attorneys

  Jul 2012 - Aug 2014

  Candidate Attorney

  I completed my articles in a small town with a big court, so I was exposed to a wide variety of matters and experiences, ranging from civil matters, like simple collections to medical malpractice, and a few criminal matters. In addition to all of the drafting and normal appearances in the Magistrates' Courts that one would normally experience in their articles, Whitesides Attorneys acted as the State Attorney's correspondent in Grahamstown and as a result thereof I worked on several High Court matters where I briefed counsel and attended consultations on behalf of the State Attorney.Working in a small firm like this gave me the unique opportunity to put the theory I got from studies into practice with the help of partners who were always happy to advise and guide me. I was given the freedom and responsibility to manage my own matters. Show less

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  Millers Inc

  May 2016 - Mar 2018

  Legal Associate

  I was employed as a litigation attorney in one of George's biggest and busiest law firms. During my time at Millers, my own practice was largely focused on collections, divorces and evictions. However, as the most junior associate I was required to attend to any matters that my senior colleagues needed. This largely meant that I would perform duties as my Director's professional assistant. Through my director I gained experience in various civil litigation matters, mostly focused on third party claims and divorces. Besides further developing and improving on the skills that I started to acquire during my articles, I learnt how to find my place in a big office and how to become a member of a team within a department. Very quickly after I started at the firm, I was drafted into the bowls team, which had a lot of pressure to perform well in the local business league.As the only English speaker in the litigation department, I was tasked with proof reading documents and adjudicating on grammar-based arguments. Show less

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  ECC Munsan

  Feb 2019 - Feb 2020

  English Teacher

  Munsan ECC is a private academy that offers children aged 5 - 12 years old English lessons. I was employed as one of 4 Native English speaking teachers. Part of my role was to work closely with my Korean co-teachers to help develop my students English speaking abilities through creative and fun methods. I was responsible for teaching 5 kindergarten classes and 7 elementary classes.The children taught me a lot of patience and the importance of taking a step back and and a deep breath and readjusting when I'd run into a wall in my classes. Most importantly though, I gained an appreciation for being bilingual and having the ability to swear in Afrikaans when the children would wear on my nerves. Another important lesson I learnt during my time in South Korea was self-reliance and the confidence to navigate a foreign land where very few people are able to communicate with me beyond gestures and short phrases. Show less

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  Numeric

  Aug 2021 - now

  Business Development Manager