AI Magazine Issue 3 2018

Acquisition International - Issue 3 2018 17 Kieti Advocates is a boutique law firm based in Nairobi, Kenya which offers a wide variety of expert services to clients across the region. We spoke to Managing Partner and head of the Corporate Law Practice, Sammy Ndolo, as we look to find out more about the impressive reputation of the firm. ieti Advocates act for financial institutions, foreign investors and their local subsidiaries and branches, foreign embassies and missions, and local and international aid organisations. Furthermore, the services that the firm provide advice on include; corporate law, banking and finance, energy and natural resources, environment and climate change, projects and real estate, and dispute resolution. Sammy starts off by telling us what he feels helps the firm to stand out amongst its competitors within the industry, citing its ambition to put the client first and listen to their requirements as a key factor in why it is able to attract such good business. “Here at Kieti Advocates, we understand that our clients are our biggest asset. Therefore, we take time to understand our client’s business so as to provide the best legal advice we can, and provide practical solutions to their complex issues. Also, we are highly committed to providing excellent service by working closely with clients in a process we refer to as co- creation.” Thanks to its ability to stand out in the industry, Kieti Advocates features in AI’s 2018 Global Excellence Awards as the Best Boutique Corporate Law Firm 2018 in Kenya. Sammy tells us how happy the team are to have been recognised. “As a team, we are delighted to have been selected for the award as it recognises our commitment to providing stellar legal service to our clients in corporate law, which is one of our niche areas of practice.” Giving us a brief overview of the industry, Sammy talks about the constantly evolving industry, and the continuous regulation changes in which the firm has had to adapt to. He notes that there have been Company: Kieti Advocates LLP Contact: Sammy Ndolo Address: 2nd Floor, CVS Plaza, off Lenana Road, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya Phone: +254 20 440 9918 Website: www.kieti.co.ke TheRight Choice forYou K 1803AI02 political issues which have impacted on the area, but is excited about the times ahead for the company. “Since the promulgation of a new Constitution in the year 2010, many new laws have been enacted in Kenya to align the regulatory framework with the new constitutional dispensation. These include business related laws such as a new Companies Act and Insolvency Act which are expected to make it easier and more predictable to do business in Kenya. On the downside, the country went through a protracted election cycle in 2017 which slowed down market activity. However, we should see an upturn as election issues are settled and business normalcy is regained.” Following on from predicting an upturn in the market fortunes, Sammy also predicts what developments will arise within the corporate landscape, noting more of an interest in the energy and financial sectors from clients and investors. “In this increasingly competitive sector, we see a lot of interest in the energy and financial services sectors. We anticipate increased transaction in these areas as the government looks to privatise some banks and to consolidate the financial regulators. The energy sector has remained active and we see this continuing. We thrive in this changing landscape, since we are involved in market-leading transactions acting on behalf of investors and other players.” Overall, Sammy is confident in his law firm’s ability to capitalise on its recent success. He outlines what the firm wants to achieve in the future, discussing the overall vision of the practice, and commenting on the fact that Kieti Advocates will continue to be innovative to ensure it moves forward and capitalises on its success. “Moving forwards, our mission is to provide our international and local clients with innovative legal support and help them navigate complexities in the Kenyan market. Our core tenets are personal service, integrity and excellence, and these values underpin all our interactions with clients. Innovation is an essential part of our firm strategy and we are innovative both in the work we carry out for clients, as well as in how we carry out the business of law.” “...our mission is to provide our international and local clients with innovative legal support and help them navigate complexities in the Kenyan market.”