October 18, 2016
Traditionally known for its legacy in handling Kenya’s largest high-profile disputes, Oraro & Company Advocates has been on an aggressive strategy to beef up its Corporate/Commercial team and it seems that its efforts are indeed paying off. It has been lauded for its transactional work with leading legal directory IFLR 1000 noting it as one of Kenya’s leading Financial & Corporate firms. The directory said, “Full service firm Oraro & Co. Advocates are a good option on the Kenyan market, and are one of only a handful of outfits in the country to offer representation on both advisory matters and disputes. The firm is strongest in the litigation space, but has worked extensively on the drafting of the capital markets regulations, and assisted the Nairobi Stock Exchange with its demutualisation.”
Pamella Ager, one of the firm’s longtime partners and a lecturer at Kenya’s well-known University of Nairobi was recognised as a Leading Lawyer in the areas of Banking and M&A. Pamella who is head of the firm’s commercial and conveyancing teams has been part of various Kenyan ground-breaking commercial transactions, for instance, the privatisation of Mumias Sugar. She also acted in a flotation exercise by KCB Bank Kenya Limited (KCB (Kenya’s biggest bank (network-wise)), two successful rights issues for KCB, the IPO of KenGen and the development of the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation. On hearing the news, Pamella said, “These rankings are testament that we are at the forefront of Kenya’s commercial landscape. Many people may not know of the role we have played in some of Kenya’s biggest commercial deals as our reputation was always tied to disputes so these rankings solidify that.”
Nelly Gitau, was highlighted as a Rising Star in Banking (Real Estate). Nelly, who is currently on secondment in London at a leading global practice, said, “This is incredible and exciting, especially because it is close to one year since I came in as a lateral hire. We are already gratified at the market response to our new and improved transactional teams, so these rankings are like icing on the cake. Really good icing! We thank IFLR 1000 and indeed, our clients and peers for this international recognition.”
Juliet C. Mazera was also acknowledged for her work and recognised as a Rising Star in Banking (Islamic Finance, M&A). Juliet was also highlighted as one of the country’s experts in the areas of Energy and Real Estate. Juliet, who has spoken at several events in the areas was delighted at the news and said, “It is really rewarding to get this recognition. I thank God and all the mentors I have had from the beginning of my career who have helped mould me and make me who I am today.”
The firm’s Senior Partner George Oraro SC, said, “This is proof that we are not just a good disputes firm but a good transactional firm, too. Also, that we are not just recognised locally but globally too. Our move to bring in well-recognised talent in the areas of finance and energy has now positioned as one of the few Kenyan firms that can provide both contentious and non-contentious support in some of the fastest growing sectors in the Kenyan economy. We now provide clients with the expertise to navigate complex transactions with ease. This we feel is giving our clients the assurance that our promise of full-service is indeed real and meaningful.”
The firm’s Managing Partner Chacha Odera said, “This is testimony that our team of 24 lawyers includes some of Kenya’s best legal minds. We have also been growing our regional and international linkages not just to allow our clients to use these relationships for deal support but to gain insights. To ensure our lawyers are relevant and up to par on global best practice. This recognition is quite timely as we are almost marking our 40 year anniversary. ”
The directory also pointed to the firm’s growth in partnership in 2015, particularly with the coming in of energy disputes specialists Geoffrey Muchiri and Noella Lubano who joined from Inamdar & Inamdar (now Daly & Inamdar) and Anjarwalla & Khanna respectively. In addition, the joining of Juliet C. Mazera in 2015, to the partnership (which brought in Islamic Finance, M&A, Energy and Infrastructure Development expertise).
To read more about the IFLR 1000 review, Oraro & Company Advocates and the highlights in the report, please visit the IFLR 1000 website here.
Profile
Oraro & Company Advocates, is a top-tier, full service Kenyan law firm. The firm’s areas of strength include Corporate and Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Conveyancing, Securities and Tax. Its partnership includes some of Kenya’s best legal minds and its lawyers are recognised by several international leading legal directories such as Chambers Global, IFLR 1000 and Legal 500. The firm is well-recognised for its contribution to Kenyan jurisprudence (through its formidable dispute resolution team), work on some of Kenya’s largest deals and its significant contributions to Kenya’s legal profession. Established 39 years ago, by George Oraro SC (one of Kenya’s top litigators), the firm offers clients on-the-ground insights and a door to the strong business connections it has built locally, regionally and globally.
For further information, contact Oraro & Co. at [email protected]
