Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, has announced the addition of two prestigious member firms in Africa to its global network covering three markets. Bennani & Associés LLP has been appointed as the Lex Mundi member firm in Algeria and Morocco. AF Mpanga, has also joined Lex Mundi as the exclusive member firm for Uganda, further enhancing the network’s comprehensive coverage on the African continent.

Bennani & Associés LLP is a highly regarded independent law firm in French-speaking Africa, operating in North, West, and Central Africa. With a team of accomplished legal professionals, the firm offers leading legal expertise to listed and unlisted companies, public entities, and international law firms.

Bennani & Associes is a full-service firm advising on general corporate law and corporate transactions, finance matters and dispute resolution, providing comprehensive legal solutions to foreign investors for complex issues. Bennani & Associés LLP’s strong presence in Algeria and Morocco positions Lex Mundi strategically to offer clients first class, comprehensive legal support in these important North African markets.

Mehdi Bennani, Managing Partner of Bennani & Associés LLP, expressed his pride in the Lex Mundi membership: “We are honoured to become a part of Lex Mundi, the world’s premier network of independent law firms. This collaboration will enable us to provide even greater support to our clients in Algeria and Morocco, as well as offer our expertise to clients seeking legal services in our jurisdictions through Lex Mundi’s global platform.”

Top Ugandan Firm AF Mpanga has also joined Lex Mundi. AF Mpanga is a distinguished full-service law firm with a rich legacy of serving clients in Uganda and the East African region since its establishment. The firm’s expertise spans various practice areas, including corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, energy and natural resources, and dispute resolution. With a deep commitment to excellence, a strong presence in the region and its legacy within the network, AF Mpanga brings valuable local insights and legal acumen to Lex Mundi.

David F.K. Mpanga, Senior Partner of AF Mpanga, expressed his enthusiasm to be part of the Lex Mundi network: “Joining Lex Mundi is a significant milestone for AF Mpanga. We are excited to work alongside Lex Mundi member firms, contributing our local expertise to this global network. Together, we will provide clients with unparalleled legal services in Uganda and the East African region.”

Helena Samaha, President & CEO of Lex Mundi, expressed her enthusiasm about these new additions to the network: “We are delighted to bring Bennani & Associés LLP and AF Mpanga to the Lex Mundi family. Their commitment to excellence and deep understanding of their local legal landscapes makes them valuable additions to our global network. As Lex Mundi continues to grow, we are better positioned than ever, to serve our clients with top-tier legal expertise in key African jurisdictions.”

These new member firms strongly align with Lex Mundi’s mission to connect clients with trusted, high-quality legal services and networks worldwide, due to their unmatched footprint in the legal sector. The networks’ strength lies in its ability to provide clients with access to local expertise backed by its extensive global network of legal professionals.

In September 2023 Bowmans, the leading African law firm, marked fifteen years of establishment of Bowmans Kenya and the start of its growth across the continent. Today, Bowmans Kenya is one of the largest law firms in the country and operates as a hub with Bowmans’ other East African offices to assist clients in Eastern and Central Africa.

As the Managing Partner of Bowmans Kenya, Paras Shah notes: ‘Fifteen years ago, a vision was born, a vision that sought to redefine the legal landscape in Kenya and East Africa as a whole. Today, as we look back on our journey, we can proudly say that we have not only realised that vision but have exceeded our own expectations.’

Managing Partner  of Bowmans Africa Alan Keep adds, ‘For Bowmans, the incredible success of this office is something of which we are all proud, and it has formed the bedrock of further growth of the firm on the continent.’

He highlighted that Bowmans Kenya was the first Bowmans office to be established outside of South Africa and continues to set the standard for further growth on the continent. He also hinted the firm is keen on growing its footprints further in the quest to assert its standing as the continent’s leading law firm.

He said, ‘Our ambition to build an African law firm to service clients across borders remains more relevant than ever. We do not intend to stand still, and we have great hopes for this region as the economies grow and Africa continues to take its rightful place in the global world.’

Mr. Keep thanked clients for placing their trust in a fledgling operation right from the start and commended the team in Kenya for delivering on expectations and repaying that trust.

On his part, Mr. Shah reflected on the journey saying that it had ‘been marked by groundbreaking transactions and precedent-setting cases’. He noted that the team had been at the forefront of legal developments and had also been pioneers in the development of new specialist practice areas. He said that one of the cornerstones on which Bowmans success had been built was its people, thanking them for their ‘dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence’.

He concluded, ‘Looking ahead, we are excited about the future. The legal landscape is ever evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities. But I am confident that with the talent, dedication, and innovation that define Bowmans, we are well-equipped to continue our journey of success and continue delivering value to our clients.’

Nyaanga & Mugisha Advocates is one of the reputed, dynamic and progressive mid-size boutique law firms in Kenya providing a comprehensive range of corporate and commercial legal services to local and international clients. The firm, organized into three complimenting departments based on practice areas, namely, Dispute Resolution Department, Real Estate and Banking Department and Commercial Department, is in a quest to be a premier law firm by providing a comprehensive range of high quality legal services and solutions to its clientele.

The Firm has an outstanding track record in Commercial and Civil Litigation with Partner and Associates being known for their vitality, depth and experience in commercial law, constitutional law, employment and labour law, intellectual property law, tax law, procurement law, debt collection and securities, election petitions and judicial review among others. The firm’s lawyers also have prominent expertise and experience in resolving a wide variety of disputes through arbitration and mediation especially in the banking, construction and real estate sectors.

In banking and securitization, NMA has is on the panel of several local and regional banks and routinely advises on structuring of financial products, secure lending, security perfection and asset financing and due diligence on banking securities. The firm also has an efficient, responsive and vibrant real estate and conveyancing department which provides legal services and advise to diverse clientele in conveyancing transactions with diligence and strict attention to detail.

The corporate and commercial department advises our clientele on a wide range of commercial transactions including business and asset acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, syndications, restructurings and financing. It also specializes in fashioning tailor made instruments used in banking, development of new products, derivatives, structuring of finance instruments, capital markets and debentures. The department undertakes negotiations, with or on behalf of the clients, drafting of the required documents including information memoranda and all transactional documents and legal due diligences.

The firm also advises and acts for employees and employers in all aspects of employment law, including employment contracts, pay and benefits compliance policies and procedures redundancy, business reorganization, share schemes and incentives, pension schemes and provident funds. The firm also practices intellectual property on wide range of matters including patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial designs and utility models. The firm lawyers have undertaken various registrations of trademarks, renewals, and assignment for local and overseas clients under the Trade Marks Act and International Treaties.

The firm lawyers are above-average professional who are recognized experts in their field possessing excellent academic credentials, great people skills, integrity and unmatched drive. The firm’s Managing Partner Geoffrey Nyaanga is a respected Dispute Resolution and Corporate Commercial lawyer with over 13 years post admission experience. Prior to founding the firm, Geoffrey was the Partner at Mwaniki Gachoka & Co. Advocates in charge of Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Commercial Departments having joined the firm from MMC Asafo he worked as an Associate in the Dispute Resolution Department. His areas of practice are Dispute Resolution, Commercial and Corporate Law, Probate and Administration law, Employment Law, and Property and Real Estate Law.

Over the years, Geoffrey has earned a strong reputation as a go-to lawyer who has successfully handled numerous high value litigation cases as well as complex arbitrations in the course of his practice. He has also advised many clients on commercial transactions and corporate matters. Geoffrey holds Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) from Moi University, a Masters of Arts (M.A) from the University of Buckingham (UK) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Member of Law Society of Kenya and East Africa Law Society.

Bernard S. Mugisha is a Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution Department.  He has broad experience and deep knowledge in commercial and civil litigation, employment and labour law, banking law and arbitration. Previously, Benard served as a Senior Associate in Litigation and Dispute Department of MG Law Advocates and as a Litigation Associate at the firm of Kale, Maina & Bundotich Advocates. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) from Moi University and a Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law and is a Member of Law Society of Kenya and East Africa Law Society.

Rispa Nyoro is the Partner in charge of the Real Estate and Conveyancing Department and specializes in Conveyancing, Bank Securities, Property law, Finance and Commercial law. She has wide experience in handling real estate and land transactions, bank securities and advising clients on financial and commercial matters.  Previously, she worked at Kale, Maina & Bundotich Advocates where she was the Partner in charge of the Commercial and Conveyancing. She holds an LL.B Degree (Hons.) from Moi University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law and is a member of Law Society of Kenya and East Africa Law Society.

The firm’s partners are supported by a team of over dozen Associates and business support professionals in the service offering to clients.  Nyaanga & Mugisha  has continues to grow and now comprises almost two dozen members who available to answer to the needs of the clients around the clock. The firm’s main office is strategically situated on 2^nd Floor, Shelter Afrique in Upper Hill in Kenya’s Commercial and Financial Hub.