Accoladed for its ‘knowledgeable and highly responsive individuals’, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates)’s corporate and commercial offering deploys vast cross-border expertise, especially in African jurisdictions. The team is retained for a broad range of matters, with a demonstrable track record in significant transactions in various industries, such as in the financial, manufacturing, energy, capital markets, and insurance industries. The team boasts major regional and multinational banks, energy companies, and investment companies as clients, often advising on significant share and asset sales, restructurings, compliance matters, and financing mandates. The team is co-led by senior partners David Lekerai and James Kamau, who are often sought after for their extensive experience in transactional matters, and Kamami Christine Michira, who is a key port of call for matters arising from the financial and capital markets sectors.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is well staffed with knowledgeable and highly responsive individuals.'

  • 'The extent of experience by the firm in commercial, corporate and M&A work is beneficial for all clients of the firm and they are able to provide diversity in the opinions and solutions granted to clients.’

  • ‘James Kamau, SC. - Very knowledgeable and supportive in providing overall guidance on various projects even as the rest of the team manages the work.'

  • 'Kamami Christine Kamami - Puts herself in the clients' shoes to ensure that the solutions provided are workable and meaningful. Readily available to provide support on all aspects of the work being undertaken.'

Key clients

  • Ascent Rift Valley Fund II LP
  • Access Bank Plc
  • East African Cables Plc
  • CMI Africa Holdings BV
  • KawiSafi Ventures
  • Afram Limited
  • Wizpro Enterprises Limited
  • Telesec Africa Limited
  • Valley Hospital Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Ascent Rift Valley Fund II LP on its recent acquisition of a minority controlling stake in Dune Packaging Limited, a leading paper packaging manufacturer in Kenya and East Africa.
  • Advising Access Bank Plc on its acquisition of 100% of the issued shares of National Bank of Kenya from KCB Group Plc.
  • Advised East African Cables Plc – Kenya on the sale of 51% of the issued shares of in East African Cables (Tanzania) Limited to Msufini (T) Limited.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Kamau, David Lekerai, Kamami Christine Michira, William Maema