Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP was the only indigenous East African Law firm shortlisted as among the top nine (9) Law Firms in Africa in the Intellectual Property (IP) Category for the prestigious African Legal Awards held recently. The firm beat dozens of established and large Kenyan and East African law firms to be shortlisted as the Finalist for the Africa’s “IP Team of the Year 2021” as the only law firm from East and Central Africa.
“We were delighted to have been shortlisted for the prestigious IP Team of the Year 2021 award by African Legal Awards. We are thankful for the team support and client trust, and cherish the established relationships which earned us this humbling nomination. For us, this IP Award nomination is a clear sign that our Intellectual Property Practice has earned continental attention and it is time to take it to world-class,” said Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP in a Media Statement.
Indeed, it is proof of the growing reputation of Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP in IP law that the firm was nominated in the IP Category alongside leading African law giants. Other nominees included the ENS Africa, the largest law firm in Africa with 472 lawyers and operations in 7 countries, Bowmans, third largest law firm in Africa with 388 lawyers and operations in 6 countries and Webber Wentzel, one of the largest law firms in South Africa and the 5th largest law firm in Africa with 311 lawyers.
The other firms that were shortlisted for the most coveted IP award in Africa next to Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP include the leading Nigerian Law Firms, Aluko & Oyebode (ranked 18 in Africa’s top 50 law firms with 81 lawyers), Jackson, Etti & Edu (ranked 36 in Africa with 40 lawyers), Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe and The New Practice (Winner of IFLR Africa M&A Deal of the Year Award, 2021). The IP Team Award was won by AELEX (ranked 25th in Africa with 60 lawyers).
Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP has an impressive record in advising and defending clients on the Image Rights which blends with other factors like privacy and data rights, Copyright (the firm represented one of the biggest insurance entities in Kenya on a copyright breach worth US$1.46M), Patent legal services including search services, monitoring, and registration services, Trademark legal services and Trademark Watchdog Service as well as Domain & Trademark which entails securing rights to trademarks from infringement by registration of Domain Names.
In addition, Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP has a strong reputation as a full-service boutique corporate commercial law firm. The IFLR1000 profiles the firm as “an innovative and strategic legal service provider in Kenya which blends both traditional and innovative practices to enhance the provision of legal solutions.” The first’s philosophy is that the client’s target is always its target and its legal team is always looking for strategies to attain the best possible outcome for client.
The firm has built enviable reputation as a legal specialist law firm focused on strategic litigation and offering advisory services to clients in Kenya and Africa and across the world including the European, Asia, Middle East, Australia and North America as a member of Globalaw, the leading network of 89 Independent Law Firms with over 4000+ lawyers spread across the world – covering 76 countries and 177 cities. This cross-border strategic legal alliance helps the firm’s corporate and private clients to invest and secure prime immigration permits as well as citizenship
Ong’anya Ombo Advocates LLP service offering combines the traditional and innovative means to provide local and international clients unique legal service experience. The firm’s lawyers are always seeking ways to create a unique environment and understand every client’s legal need and pursue a defined solution that best serves their objectives. In February 2021, the firm was recognized by Business Daily Africa in 2021 for its international collaboration program with a global law firms to enable Clients to access markets in foreign countries for business opportunities.
The firm’s service categories include strategic litigation and alternative dispute resolution, property and banking law, policy monitoring & legal audit, corporate and commercial law, and strategic legal consultancy or advisory services. The firm is well known for thought leadership in cyberspace and telecommunication law, employment and corporate immigration law, energy law, fashion, media & entertainment law, gambling law, procurement law, intellectual property law, mergers & acquisitions, oil & gas, real estate, securities law, tax law & business structuring.
The firm principals are Jack Brian Ong’anya, the Managing Partner and In-charge Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Ombo Malumbe, Partner and Head of Corporate Law and Cross Border Practice. Other key members of the Legal team include Allan Mukuki, Flora Okonji and Sophia Khalid. The firm’s client portfolio comprises high net worth local and foreign individuals, local and international corporate clients.