Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews

Managing Partner: Adil Khawaja

Senior Partner: Kiragu Kimani SC

Number of partners: 15

Number of associates: 45

Languages: English, Kiswahili

Firm Overview:

Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews is one of Kenya’s largest law firms with a distinguished history of outstanding customer service. Clients and international legal directories have continuously rated the firm as one of Kenya’s top tier firms. The firm provides a wide range of services to an extensive client base.

Main Areas of Practice & Recent Transactions:

Arbitration:

The team has vast experience representing local and international clients in local and international arbitral proceedings.

Business Set-Up & Regulatory Compliance:

The firm has extensive experience in assisting clients in setting up businesses and advising on regulatory and compliance requirements for various entities and sectors.

Banking & Finance:

The firm acts for several local and international banks in financing transactions and banking-related litigation.

Experience:

• Richard Omwela advised I&M Bank Limited on banking facilities to Tononoka Rolling Mills Limited

• Sigee Koech advised the lenders on facilities given to Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider

Competition/Anti-trust and M&A:

The firm has extensive experience advising on all aspects of competition and merger control under Kenyan law and the COMESA Competition Regulations.

Experience:

• Daniel Wanjau advised an agricultural service supply agency on Kenyan legislation on restrictive trade practices in the client’s standard distribution agreement

• Peter Okaalet Jr. advised 748 Air Services (Kenya) Limited in the acquisition of 49% of the issued share capital through an affiliate company

• Richard Omwela advised an investment company on the acquisition of 30% of the shareholding in a Mauritian holding company that will have a controlling stake over two Kenyan operating companies engaged in the supply chain of animal-sourced meats and related products

• Andrew Mugambi advised a beer manufacturer in the acquisition of 25% of its issued share capital by a South African company

Constitutional & Administrative Law:

The firm has extensive expertise in constitutional and administrative law and has been involved in litigation that has generated public interest.

Experience:

• Kiragu Kimani is advising the Attorney General on the constitutionality of the President’s creation of the office of Chief Administrative Secretary

• Michi Kirimi is defending a Multinational footwear and fashion accessory company in a constitutional petition seeking orders to prevent the prosecution for counterfeiting the client’s shoes

Dispute Resolution & Litigation:

The firm has been continuously ranked as a tier 1 firm in litigation and dispute resolution.

Experience:

• Kenneth Fraser is acting for a commercial bank in Kenya on a claim for 414.5 million Kenya shillings arising from an alleged breach of a Restructuring Agreement

• Kiragu Kimani successfully represented a leading bank before the High Court in challenging KRA assessments of excise duty on various income streams

• Michi Kirimi has represented a company in the telecommunication industry in a complaint before the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal challenging our client’s data and unused internet bundles policy

• Ezra Makori successfully represented an international airline accused of breaching a contract for the provision of transport services

Employment & Immigration:

The firm advises clients on employment and labour law issues and represents clients in employment-related litigation and alternative dispute resolution processes.

Experience:

Michi Kirimi is representing various clients in claims for constructive dismissal.

• Lorna Mainnah reviewed the leading provider of modern logistics and industrial properties in East Africa employment contracts to ensure legal compliance and advised on Kenyan labour laws developments

• Ezra Makori and Michi Kirimi have successfully represented multinational security services providers in numerous unfair termination claims brought by ex-employees

Projects and Energy:

The firm has extensive experience in advising on power generation projects and oil and gas exploration and development.

Experience:

• Dr Daniel Wanjau advised an international Chinese company on a proposed acquisition of 80% shareholding in a Kenyan geothermal company

• Andrew Mugambi advised a confidential client on the design, supply, and installation and commissioning of substations and medium voltage lines across Kenya

• Andrew Mugambi and Peter Okaalet Jr advised China Road and Bridge Corporation on the compliance of the Nairobi Express Way with public-private partnership legal framework and negotiated the Project Agreement

Real Estate, Planning & Environmental Law:

The firm has a dedicated team of real estate lawyers.

Experience:

• Adil Khawaja acts for a client in the mining industry in the purchase of 31 properties totalling approximately 1000 acres to start its mining operations

• Lorna Mainnah is acting for the seller of 123 properties totalling 933 acres of land in Nanyuki