Natalie Keetsi LL.M.

Director
Johannesburg
About

Natalie Keetsi specialises in complex dispute resolution proceedings, including arbitration, adjudication, and High Court administrative law reviews, as well as project counsel advisory services. Her work is primarily focused on significant construction, infrastructure, and energy projects across South Africa, Africa, and the Middle East, governed by bespoke, FIDIC, NEC, and EPC contracts.

In addition to her dispute resolution and advisory work, Natalie has represented multinational corporations in high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional corporate investigations tied to significant infrastructure and construction ventures. These matters have involved parallel investigations by law enforcement authorities in the United States (DOJ and SEC), Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and South Africa. She has collaborated extensively with co-counsel across these jurisdictions and travelled internationally to support investigative efforts. Notably, she played a key role in securing one of the largest civil recoveries in the history of South Africa’s law enforcement authorities.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Natalie was among the founding attorneys who established the first African office of a leading international law firm. She later earned her Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School, receiving academic honors for her final thesis focused on anti-corruption and corporate criminal liability.

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and InvestigationsRegulatory and Government AffairsInfrastructure, Construction and TransportEnergy and Natural Resources
Professional QualificationsAttorney of the High Court of South Africa

EXPERIENCE

  • Represented a major Saudi Arabian contractor as project counsel, advising on, inter alia, extension of time claims, dispute resolution referrals, variation proposals, and the issuance of certificates of practical completion, under several bespoke design, build, operate, and management contracts (governed by Saudi law) for the execution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s approximately USD trillion giga-project—currently the largest construction project in the world.*
  • Represented a leading UAE contractor in ICC arbitration proceedings to defend multi-million dirham claims brought by a subcontractor, including prolongation costs, unpaid works, and damages as well as advancing multi-million dirham counterclaims. The dispute arose under bespoke subcontracts for complex infrastructure works in the UAE, governed by UAE law. *
  • Represented a leading South African producer and supplier of industrial minerals and lime in adjudication proceedings launched by its appointed contractor to recover approximately USD16m, arising from several disputed/rejected compensation events due to design changes altering the Works Information under a NEC 3 Engineering and Construction Contract (as amended).*
  • Represented a leading Chinese EPC contractor as project counsel for the execution of works related to a 200MW solar plant and battery storage system project in South Africa, under an EPC
  • Contract concluded with a multinational energy company, with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd (Africa’s largest electricity producer) as the buyer pursuant to a Power Purchase Agreement.*
  • Represented a leading South African contractor in claims and a referral to adjudication arising from construction and refurbishment works at the British High Commission in Southern Africa, under the NEC 4 Engineering and Construction Contract, governed by the laws of England and Wales. Representation included advice on risks associated with termination and the potential call on a performance bond.*
  • Represented a leading South African contractor in upstream and downstream claims—against a state-owned entity and a subcontractor—arising from the design and upgrade of a rail yard and coal offloading facility under the NEC 3 Engineering and Construction Contract. Successfully referred and defended high-value adjudication claims relating to compensation events, design changes, amendments to the Works Information and completion date, and termination costs. Also successfully enforced the adjudicator’s award against the employer before the High Court.*
  • Represented a multinational against a South African state-owned entity in an AFSA arbitral dispute concerning claims arising from a variation order—issued under a bespoke (FIDIC-adjacent) agreement—requiring a change in the location of a manufacturing facility. Claims ranged in value, with the highest claim amounting to approximately USD500m.*
  • Represented a multinational in extension of time and payment disputes against a South African state-owned entity under a bespoke (FIDIC-adjacent) agreement. Successfully secured a multi-million-dollar award before a dispute adjudication board and later represented the client in an AFSA arbitration over unpaid works valued at approximately USD10m, while defending counterclaims valued at approximately USD200m.*
  • Represented a multinational in defending high-profile judicial review proceedings before the High Court concerning an alleged irregular procurement by a South African state-owned entity of rolling stock, pursuant to one of South Africa's largest procurement projects, valued at approximately USD3.6bn.*
  • Represented a multinational in a landmark multi-jurisdictional criminal and civil investigation involving law enforcement agencies in Germany, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States (DOJ and SEC), concerning allegations of procurement irregularities, contraventions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other anti-bribery and corruption statutes arising from the construction of a major power plant.* 
  • Represented a multinational in a cross-jurisdictional criminal and civil investigation involving law enforcement agencies in the United States (DOJ and SEC) concerning allegations of procurement irregularities, violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other anti-bribery and corruption statutes related to rail and rolling stock works executed under a bespoke agreement.*
  • Representing a multinational in an internal investigation into allegations of theft, fraud, and corruption—pursuant to a whistleblower report—involving various suppliers and employees.*
  • Represented a multinational in defending an unprecedented administrative review motion concerning a non-prosecution agreement concluded with South Africa’s law enforcement authority.*
*Denotes experience from another firm.
Education
  • Harvard University (Harvard Law School), LL.M. 2023
  • University of Witwatersrand, LLB, with distinction, 2014

Publications and media

Speaker events

  • Speaker, "Accelerate Action: African Women Leading the Fight Against Corruption and Promoting Human Dignity," African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption, March 2025

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Deputy Chairperson of the Advisory Board: African Women Against Corruption Network
  • Vice President and Secretary General: Harvard University Alumni of South Africa
  • Board Member: Harvard Law School Recent Graduates Network
  • Member of the Golden Key Honour Society
  • Legal Practice Council 
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Connect

Phone

+27 21 818 6418
(Work, Johannesburg)