KN Law LLP has set up a branch and relocated one of its partners to London to coordinate its growing corporate, M&A and PE client base. This move is aimed at fostering better collaboration with London-based international law firms looking to engage a responsive local counsel in Nairobi.
The development has earned the recognition of Chambers which named the firm’s Senior Partner, Mugambi Nandi, now based in London One of Kenya’s top Corporate M&A lawyers based outside the country. Mugambi has been cited and ranked by Chambers Global consecutively since 2017, as a recognized Corporate M&A lawyer in Kenya.
Mugambi Nandi was ranked in the 2021 Edition of Chambers Global Guide as one of three Kenyan Corporate/M&A experts based abroad alongside Clifford Chance LLP Partner, Jeniffer Mbaluto (based in London) and Atiq Ajarwalla (based in Dubai). He has been in London since 2019, when KN Law LLP set up its London Office at Berkeley Suite, 35 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London.
According to Chambers, “Mugambi Nandi focuses his practice on corporate and commercial transactions, including M&A and Private Equity investments, as well as corporate finance and listings. He’s also experienced in merger approvals and competition regulations.”
Speaking to Africa Legal, Mugambi Nandi explained the move to set up a KN Law LLP London office saying, “If you are in London with a corporate, commercial or M&A need in Kenya, you would struggle to get the work done without going through one of the big law firms, most of which are now tied in exclusive arrangements with law firms in London or South Africa. By being present in London, I believe we can offer the same service but in a simpler, and direct way.”
KN Law has offered advise as local counsel on several projects in partnership with London-based law firms. The Law firm was also engaged in establishment of a private equity fund in Mauritius co-advising with Goodwin Procter (London Office). The firm was also recently involved in a tech investment deal between a Kenyan and a European company, advising jointly with Harbottle and Lewis.
Potential clients within the UK and the rest of Europe no longer need to travel to meet people when they need legal work done in Kenya. KN Law’s Mugambi Nandi is just one call away and ready to have a meeting with clients in London, in compliance with COVID-19 protocols. Mugambi Nandi is additionally working towards becoming a Solicitor of England and Wales by the summer of 2021 to deepen his already top-notch legal expertise.
At the same time, the firm has bolstered its Nairobi Head Office with the appointment of Mugambi Maingi, as the firm’s new Managing Partner. Maingi is a seasoned legal practitioner with over a decade post qualification experience as regional legal counsel for the UAP Old Mutual Group. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Graduate of the Strathmore Business School Aspire Leadership Training Program.
“Mugambi Maingi brings to the firm a wealth of experience and expertise from the financial services industry and the Firm is very proud to welcome him. He has extensive experience in corporate law, M&A, compliance and governance, fund management, retirement benefits and capital markets,” said Mugambi Nandi while unveiling the new Managing Partner at the beginning of the year.