Investors to benefit from harmonized legal services

A regional legal alliance group, Juris East Africa, was recently launched in Kigali to provide legal assistance to investors in the region. The alliance is dedicated to providing regional and international businesses with coordinated legal services across East Africa. The Kigali launch follows a similar one held in Kampala, Uganda, last year. The alliance brings together five of the region’s leading law firms; Equity Juris Chambers (EJC) of Rwanda, Iseme Kamau & Maema (IKM) Advocates of Kenya, Ishengoma Karume Masha & Magai Advocates (IMMMA) of Tanzania, Sebalu & Lule Advocates of Uganda and Rubeya & Co. Advocates of Burundi. All the firms are affiliated to DLA Piper, a global law firm with over 4,200 lawyers in 70 offices across 30 countries. “Members of Juris East Africa share between themselves and DLA Piper best practice, training, knowledge and support related to speciality practice areas across the countries,” reads a statement released after the launch. “As the region continues to attract Foreign Direct Investment, alliance members are working closely together to meet the growing demand from both regional and foreign businesses for coordinated legal services”. Speaking during the launch, the head of the Kenyan wing, James Kamau, underscored that the alliance was formed to proactively meet an emerging demand for quality legal services across the region. “The formation of Juris East Africa is a proactive response to the increasing demands from clients in East Africa, and investors in this region, who have been clear that they are seeking East African-wide solutions and that there is a wide gap in the region, which we are happy to help fill,” Kamau explained. The launch was attended by Partners from other DLA Group firms including London, Brussels, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, DRC and Egypt. Similarly, a law firm from the Republic of South Sudan is soon expected to join the alliance and was represented at the launch. DLA Piper’s International Development Partner, David Church, said his organisation has worked closely with the member firms on the creation of Juris East Africa and are totally supportive. “Banks, financial institutions, and domestic and foreign businesses do not want to work with several different law firms across the region. They want seamless service and the efficiencies that they would get from working with just one firm. Juris East Africa gives them that,” Church said. edwin.musoni@newtimes.co.rw Ends

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Investors to benefit from harmonized legal services