An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Poor Contract Drafting or Review & Understanding Regulatory Impact
Without legal counsel, businesses often use generic contract templates that don’t address their specific needs, risks, or the regulatory landscape tied to their activities. This can lead to unenforceable agreements or terms that work against their interests, especially if they overlook how local laws and regulations affect their new ventures. A lack of understanding of how regulations impact specific activities — whether it’s employment, data protection, or industry-specific laws — can severely undermine the business objectives.
In today’s fast-paced business world, the complexity of legal matters can often be overlooked, leading to significant repercussions for businesses of all sizes. From startup ventures to established corporations, the absence of legal guidance can result in critical errors that affect growth, operations, and sustainability. These mistakes range from issues with contracts and intellectual property to compliance and employment law, each carrying the potential for financial loss and reputational damage. I had the pleasure of interviewing Siphokazi Oranuba.
Siphokazi Oranuba is an accomplished attorney with over 16 years of experience, specializing in commercial law, corporate governance, and compliance. As the founder and director of LineaBlu, she has built a legal services agency known for its innovative General Counsel as a Service (GCaaS) model, delivering tailored legal solutions to global clients. With leadership roles at major organizations like Naspers Group, Rheinmetall Denel Munition Pty Ltd and the Transfertoo Group, her deep industry expertise and entrepreneurial spirit make her a trusted advisor across diverse business sectors.
Thank you for joining us. To start, could you share your “origin story” with our readers? How did you begin your career? What challenges did you face in the early days? How did you overcome them?
I recall first wanting to be a teacher before changing to want to be a lawyer in my late teenage years. As a result, during school holidays I would drag my cousin to go listen to court cases at the local magistrate’s court. So, when it was time for university, I only had one choice which was to study law.
After university I did my articles in Cape Town and started down the path most traditional lawyers start on. Somewhere along the way I started to enjoy corporate commercial law and so I focused on it and worked at various companies as in/house counsel. Whilst doing that, close colleagues, family and friends would ask for help with their personal matters or refer others to me for help with simple commercial matters and from that, LineaBlu started to take shape, and we grew it one step at a time.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
I love to read so there have been many books that have played a role in my life such as the compilation of 38 letters that Rockefeller wrote to his son, which to me were an impressive way to learn about mindset, being true and observant. Also, the memoir by Phil Knight on being relentless, the difficulties of realising a dream and the value of those who believe in you even when you don’t believe in yourself.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
One of my favourite quotes is from Isaac Newton “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. I owe everything to the people who have been part of my life and who have guided me — my mentors, family, pastors, bosses, clients, colleagues, victories and losses. They are the “giants” in my life.
The various bosses I’ve had, have each opened doors that have led me to where I am today, expanding my worldview and encouraging me to fulfil my dreams of working all over the world. I recall one of them, whom I respect greatly was the one who encouraged me to leave my home country and explore the possibilities that the world could offer me elsewhere.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
For us, it’s always been about helping others succeed. Our goal has always been to provide more than just legal services — we genuinely want to help our clients reach their full potential. We believe that by giving businesses the legal support they need, we are helping them thrive, which in turn creates more opportunities for growth and success in their communities. We also emphasize teamwork and collaboration, and we want our team to feel like they can rely on each other to reach our goals and those of our clients. Success should be shared and built together.
Ok, let’s now turn to the central part of our interview. What is the most common legal mistake you see businesses make due to the lack of proper legal counsel, and what are its potential consequences?
Clients who seek to expand to other jurisdictions without a proper appreciation of the local environment of the jurisdiction, which is foreign to them, how it will affect them in areas such as employment law, taxes, data and consumer protection laws, and the reverse impact it has on them in their jurisdiction of incorporation. We see this often in tax and employee incentive related matters.
Can you share an example where early legal intervention could have significantly altered the outcome of a business dispute or challenge?
Doing proper due diligence in any transaction be it M&A or in securing trademark early is important. Also, in compiling employee incentive packages, such as ESOPS, in a way that is beneficial to both employees and employers. This eliminates surprises and legal troubles later.
How do changes in digital technology and online business practices complicate legal issues for businesses without dedicated legal advice?
Whilst digital technology is a positive step and offers a depth of information, a dedicated legal resource will tailor make legal advice so that it is suited for the situation and the desired outcome. The digital technologies are great tools that help support the legal advisor’s work.
In your experience, how does the absence of legal counsel impact a business’s approach to contracts and negotiations, and what advice would you give to mitigate these risks?
As businesses grow and expand themselves whether in the new markets or launching innovative products, it’s important that legal counsel is involved to tailor contracts and negotiations to the legal and regulatory dynamics involved with such activities. Contracts and negotiations become more intricate and critical to their success. Without legal counsel, companies often face two major risks: entering contracts that don’t fully protect their interests or failing to negotiate favourable terms and two, exposure to adverse risks in new markets. I’ve seen businesses sign contracts without considering long-term consequences, such as clauses that limit their flexibility, create hidden liabilities, or leave them exposed to legal action.
One of the biggest issues is that many businesses don’t realize the importance of detailed legal review until they encounter a problem. They focus on getting the deal done and expanding, but miss subtle, yet critical legal nuances. For instance, missing out on IP protection clauses, poor dispute resolution mechanisms, or unclear payment terms can cause costly disputes later on.
My advice to mitigate these risks is threefold:
- Always involve legal counsel early. Through our General Counsel as a Service (GCaaS) model, we integrate legal expertise directly into your business processes. Our General Counsel services are tailored to act as an extension of your team, ensuring that there is legal understanding of what is involved, needs to change or be introduced whenever new objectives are being pursued by business.
- Negotiate with a clear legal strategy. Businesses often focus on price or deliverables, but your lawyer will ensure all legal implications — risk allocation, compliance, and enforceability — are addressed. This is key to avoiding future disputes.
- Educate your team on legal basics. Legal counsel can also help by educating your team about red flags in contracts. The more your internal stakeholders know, the fewer risky contracts they’ll bring to the table. We also go beyond simple legal review and being an extension of in-house resources — our counsels actively participate in negotiations, helping you secure favorable terms and minimizing risks like payment disputes, IP issues, or jurisdictional conflicts. This not only safeguards your business but also empowers you to negotiate from a position of strength.
What legal pitfalls do new businesses often overlook during their initial setup and growth phases, and how can they proactively address these issues?
Clients often exclude lawyers from early stages of discussions because of their conception of the professional’s role is too narrow. As mentioned, clients also enter new markets, launch new products ill prepared in so far as compliance is concerned.
Here is our main question. Could you list and briefly explain “Top 5 Mistakes Businesses Make Without Legal Counsel” based on your experiences and insights? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
1. Poor Contract Drafting or Review & Understanding Regulatory Impact
Without legal counsel, businesses often use generic contract templates that don’t address their specific needs, risks, or the regulatory landscape tied to their activities. This can lead to unenforceable agreements or terms that work against their interests, especially if they overlook how local laws and regulations affect their new ventures. A lack of understanding of how regulations impact specific activities — whether it’s employment, data protection, or industry-specific laws — can severely undermine the business objectives.
For example, a client expanding into a foreign market used a standard contract that violated local laws relating to their product and misunderstood how local tax regulations impacted their operations. LineaBlu stepped in to revise the contract, ensuring full compliance with local laws and protecting the client from potentially costly legal and financial challenges.
2. Lack of Due Diligence
Entering mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships without conducting proper due diligence is a common mistake. It often results in businesses acquiring liabilities or entering unfavourable deals. Our services include comprehensive due diligence for every major transaction. We uncover potential risks, such as hidden debts, litigation risks, or IP disputes, ensuring you make informed decisions before signing any agreement.
One of our clients avoided a costly acquisition by relying on our thorough due diligence, which revealed undisclosed legal disputes relating to trademarks that would have severely impacted the deal’s profitability
3. Ignoring Data Privacy and Compliance Regulations
With the rise of digital business operations, data privacy and compliance have become critical issues. Many businesses unknowingly violate regulations like GDPR, leading to severe fines and reputational damage. At LineaBlu, our legal experts specialize in navigating complex global compliance laws. Through our GCaaS model, we ensure your business stays compliant with international and local data protection laws, preventing costly regulatory penalties.
A tech startup we worked with was at risk of non-compliance with GDPR when expanding into Europe. We stepped in early, structured their data policies, and helped them implement data protection mechanisms, ensuring full compliance from day one.
4 . Mismanagement of Intellectual Property (IP)
Businesses often overlook the importance of securing their intellectual property early on. Without legal counsel, they may fail to register trademarks, copyrights, or patents, leading to disputes and potential loss of valuable assets. LineaBlu provides comprehensive IP management services, ensuring your innovations, brands, and creations are protected across multiple jurisdictions.
For example, we helped a client secure their trademark early on, preventing a potential legal battle with a competitor who attempted to register a similar name.
5 . Inadequate Employment Agreements
Without proper legal advice, businesses can make critical mistakes in employment agreements and reward schemes, especially when expanding into new regions. Issues like poorly drafted non-compete clauses, unclear termination terms, or failure to comply with local labor laws can expose businesses to legal disputes.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could inspire a movement, it would be about finding the backstories — to people and everything, understanding the situations behind the surface. So often, we judge without knowing someone’s journey. I think if we took the time to really hear people’s stories and understand their experiences, we’d be more compassionate and empathetic. It’s not just about listening but seeing what’s hidden and using that knowledge to connect with others on a human level. When you understand someone’s challenges, you’re more willing to help, and that’s what the world needs more of — empathy and honest connection
As we wrap up, how can our readers follow your work?
At LineaBlu, we are always open to connecting with potential clients and partners. You can find more information about our innovative General Counsel as a Service (GCaaS) model and legal expertise on our website at LineaBlu.com.
We are active on several social media platforms where you can stay updated on our latest news and insights:
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If you’d like to reach out directly to LineaBlu you can email at: [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can support your legal needs.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur and Thought Leader with over 25 years of business experience. He has founded, operated, and exited multiple companies and now builds into a handful of high impact CEOs. Chad has launched multiple online communities, including a recent leadership development platform, and also serves as a strategic advisor for Authority Magazine’s thought-leader incubator program.
To learn more and connect with Chad visit: chadsilverstein.io
Siphokazi Oranuba Of LineaBlu Lawyers On The Top 5 Mistakes Businesses Make Without Legal Counsel was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.