Jane Gichuru
Commercial Lawyer, Strategic Analyst, Writer
Nairobi,30
Summary
Licensed law practitioner with 9 years of diverse legal experience, including 5 years post-admission practice in Nairobi and 4 years in the legal services industry. Specializing in contract management, commercial law and transactions, strategic communications, legal advocacy and business development, with a proven ability to drive impactful initiatives and build strong client relationships. Highly skilled in due diligence, research, legal writing, and advising on policy reforms across sectors. Known for leadership and team management, excellent in navigating complex legal issues while fostering cross-cultural and regional collaboration. A proactive and results-oriented professional with a track record of influencing outcomes, managing risks, and delivering high-quality legal services with a commitment to long-term impact. Passionate about African Affairs, to drive change and contribute to strategic goals within dynamic legal and business environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Conveyancing and Commercial Law Partner
Gichuru, Nguti and Associates Advocates
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
11.2020 - Current
- Lead a team of legal professionals and staff, managing daily operations and ensuring the firm's growth in legal services across contract law, commercial transactions, due diligence and risk and international law.
- Oversee contract management and legal compliance for clients, ensuring that agreements align with the latest international standards and local regulations.
- Drive business development initiatives by identifying new business opportunities, building partnerships, and expanding the firm's client base.
- Represent clients in high-stakes legal advocacy in both domestic and international forums, focusing on commercial litigation, human rights issues, and public policy.
- Act as a primary point of contact for senior clients, advising on risk management, dispute resolution strategies, and business expansion.
- Spearhead strategic communications efforts for the firm, including crisis communication and reputation management.
- Developed and executed crisis communication plans for clients facing reputation risks or public scrutiny, ensuring rapid and strategic response to mitigate negative fallout.
- Provided strategic guidance on internal and external for high-profile cases, including those involving human rights, business, and government affairs.
- Built relationships with local and international stakeholders, driving business development efforts and creating new avenues for funding, resources, and regional collaboration.
- Designed comprehensive media strategies, positioning clients as leaders in their respective fields, through thought leadership and media outreach.
- Delivered analysis of social, political and economic trends across East Africa, providing clients with actionable insights for decision-making and business expansion.
- Navigate the complexities of international law, including cross-border agreements, intellectual property rights, and regional compliance.
- Value and Mahogany Africa Blog – Founder and Lead Writer
Topics: African Development, Policy Change, International Relations, Regional Economic Integration
Contributing expert articles, opinion pieces, and analysis of the political economy of Africa, highlighting emerging trends, key issues, and the role of leadership in Africa's socio-economic transformation.
Legal Partner and Board Member
Iganne Limited
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
8 2019 - Current
- Oversee and ensure compliance with all relevant real estate laws, regulations, and industry standards, including zoning, land use, construction permits, and environmental regulations.
- Provide legal advice to the Board of Directors and senior management on corporate governance, business operations, and regulatory compliance matters to mitigate risks and ensure smooth business operations.
- Draft, review, and negotiate key contracts related to property development, including land acquisition agreements, construction contracts, vendor contracts, joint ventures, and sales agreements.
- Ensure that all contracts protect the company's interests, minimize liability, and are in line with both local and international standards.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management strategy that addresses legal risks related to property development, transactions, and the real estate market.
- Advise on potential legal risks arising from land acquisition, construction delays, disputes, or regulatory changes, and propose strategies to mitigate these risks.
- Provide legal guidance on real estate transactions, including land purchases, property sales, leasing, and financing arrangements for residential development projects.
- Ensure all property-related transactions adhere to legal requirements, including conducting due diligence on land titles, property titles, and third-party agreements.
- Support the business development team by advising on the legal aspects of new business opportunities, joint ventures, partnerships, and investment proposals in the real estate sector.
- Contribute to the company's long-term strategy by identifying legal and business opportunities that can help drive growth in the real estate market.
- Provide legal counsel on strategic communications, ensuring that all external communications, including marketing materials and press releases, align with legal standards.
- Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including government regulators, contractors, clients, investors, and legal advisors, to ensure smooth business operations and compliance with applicable laws.
- Lead and mentor a growing legal team, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle day-to-day legal operations and effectively support the company's objectives.
- Keep the company updated on new developments in real estate law, including changes to construction codes, environmental regulations, and property taxes, which may impact ongoing projects.
- Conduct legal research and provide strategic insights on emerging trends in the real estate sector, including market shifts, regulatory updates, and opportunities for business expansion.
Part-time Legal Assistant
Rongai Social Economic Women Organization (ROSEWO)
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
02.2016 - 01.2018
- Managed Legal and Administrative Tasks: Coordinated office scheduling, maintained calendars, and tracked important deadlines to ensure compliance with legal timelines.
- Drafted and Reviewed Proposals: Prepared and reviewed donor fund proposals, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and alignment with the NGO's mission on women's empowerment and community health.
- Legal Research and Policy Review: Analyzed and provided updates on local laws and policies related to youth, women, and children, recommending legal amendments to improve program outcomes.
- Guidance on Legal Reforms: Advised senior leadership on legal reform processes, providing insights on improving policies and practices impacting women's reproductive health, child protection, and economic empowerment.
- Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Prevention: Provided legal counsel on strategies to prevent domestic violence and child abuse, advising on compliance with national laws and drafting legal solutions for the NGO's programs.
- Collaborated with Stakeholders: Worked closely with external legal teams, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment between legal reforms and the organization's initiatives for women's empowerment and family welfare.
Legal Assistant
Patrick, Teddy and Partners Advocates
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
05.2015 - 01.2017
- Legal Research and Publications: Conducted in-depth legal research in Environmental Law, contributing to the firm's consultancy services by publishing articles and insights to enhance the firm's thought leadership in the field.
- Business Development - Intellectual Property: Supported the Intellectual Property Law East Africa Consultancy by identifying new business opportunities, creating client proposals, and implementing targeted marketing strategies to expand the firm's client base.
- Due Diligence and Compliance: Conducted due diligence for client banks by drafting detailed reports from the Companies Registry, ensuring compliance with legal standards and identifying potential risks for clients.
- Client Acquisition and Proposal Development: Identified and approached potential clients for the Intellectual Property Consultancy, preparing and presenting tailored proposals to secure new business and foster long-term client relationships.
- Litigation Support: Assisted litigation counsel by holding briefs in court, preparing case files, and managing legal documentation for ongoing litigation matters.
- Administrative Assistance:Provided key administrative support to senior management, including managing calendars, drafting correspondence, and ensuring efficient office operations.
Legal Intern
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA)
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
03.2014 - 05.2014
- Document and Quality Control: Reviewed legal documents and proofed contracts and agreements for accuracy, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal standards.
- Contract Analysis and Summary Preparation: Prepared concise summaries of tea brokerage agreements and related contracts, highlighting key terms and legal obligations for internal use.
- Client and Advocate Correspondence: Drafted professional correspondence to clients and external advocates regarding case updates, legal advice, and documentation requests.
Associate
Kimani and Muriithi Associates
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
2 2018 - 5 2019
- Lead Associate for Security Document Preparation and Registration: Preparation, processing, and registration of security documents, including land transfers, mortgage agreements, and purchase instruments, ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Coordinated with clients, financial institutions, and government agencies to facilitate smooth execution and registration of legal documents.
- Client Acquisition and Legal Services Delivery: Successfully engaged new clients and built strong relationships, offering specialized legal services in financial securities and documentation. Acted as a key fee earner by providing high-quality legal advice and handling client portfolios related to security interests, property transactions, and corporate documentation.
- Legal Advisory and Opinion Drafting: Provided legal advice on a range of complex issues, working closely with senior partners to draft and review legal opinions for clients and partners on various areas of law, including real estate, corporate, and finance. Assisted partners in high-level legal strategy and analysis, contributing to the firm's advisory capabilities.
- Business Formation and Corporate Services: Played a key role in the formation of business entities for clients, including conducting name checks, drafting corporate documents, and ensuring timely registration with relevant authorities. Guided clients through the entire process of setting up corporate structures, including the preparation of memoranda of association, articles of incorporation, and other regulatory filings.
- Due Diligence and Legal Research: Conducted comprehensive due diligence on various legal matters, including property transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance, ensuring all legal risks were identified and mitigated for clients. Delivered detailed due diligence reports to senior associates and partners, highlighting potential legal issues and recommended solutions.
- Trial Briefing and Legal Counsel Support: Assisted in trial preparation by managing briefs, conducting legal research, and compiling evidence to support client cases. Worked closely with litigation counsel to strategize on case presentations, reviewing trial materials, and ensuring that all documentation was complete and accurate.
- Witness Statement Preparation and Trial Support: Collaborated with Litigation Counsel to review and prepare witness statements and supporting documentation for upcoming trials. Ensured that witness testimony, affidavits, and supporting documents were aligned with legal requirements and strategic objectives for trial.
- Case Management and Client Liaison: Managed multiple cases simultaneously, coordinating between clients, legal teams, and external parties (such as government bodies, notaries, and financial institutions) to ensure effective case management and timely resolution. Acted as the primary point of contact for clients, providing updates, answering queries, and ensuring that clients' legal interests were well-represented at all stages of the process.
- Legal Drafting and Document Review: Drafted a variety of legal documents, including contracts, agreements, memoranda, and reports, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with applicable laws. Reviewed documents on behalf of clients and the firm, providing feedback, and recommending amendments as needed to protect client interests and minimize potential risks.
- Collaboration and Team Support: Worked closely with partners, senior associates, and paralegals to support firm initiatives and ensure high-quality legal services were consistently delivered. Participated in firm-wide knowledge-sharing sessions and helped junior associates and paralegals with case preparation, legal research, and document drafting.
- Client Relationship Management: Established long-term relationships with clients, offering tailored legal solutions and ensuring ongoing client satisfaction, contributing to business retention and growth.
- Continuing Professional Development:Actively pursued professional development opportunities, attending legal seminars, workshops, and staying up-to-date with changes in law and legal best practices.
Education
J.D. - Law
Kenya School of Law
Nairobi, Kenya 05.2017 - 07.2019
Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B.) - Law
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya 05.2011 - 11.2016
Skills
Contract Management
undefinedCertification
Certificate of Completion on Strategic Communication, 07/12/23, Udemy, Dr. Sayem Hossain
Affiliations
Law Society of Kenya
Proud Of
- Associate Advisor for Ignite Global International in the negotiation of a proposed wind power project in Kenya (2018)
- Consultant in the negotiation of project financing for Iganne Limited for its proposed flagship project in Nairobi, Kenya (2020)
- Championing the successful application, submission and qualification for an award for the provision of legal services for the largest transmitter, distributer and retailer of electricity in Kenya (2019 and 2020)
Coreskillsandexperience
- Property, Contracts and Commercial Law Practice
- Drafting, Negotiation, Management and Advice
- Partnerships and Strategy
- Business Development
- Strategic Communication
- Research and Due Diligence Processes
- Team and External Relation Management
- Knowledge Management
- Organization, Planning and Co-ordination, Proactivity and Creating Efficiency
Volunteer Experience
- Legal representative and member of faith based community, Beyond Horizon, 11/01/20, Nairobi
- Youth Leader, Parklands Baptist Church, 2012 - 2018, Nairobi
- Team building leader, Recro Group Foundation, 2015 - 2017
- UN Volunteer, onlinevolunteering.com, 01/01/17
- Article writer, Urunji Child-Care Trust, 02/01/17
Timeline
Conveyancing and Commercial Law Partner
Gichuru, Nguti and Associates Advocates
11.2020 - Current
J.D. - Law
Kenya School of Law
05.2017 - 07.2019
Part-time Legal Assistant
Rongai Social Economic Women Organization (ROSEWO)
02.2016 - 01.2018
Legal Assistant
Patrick, Teddy and Partners Advocates
05.2015 - 01.2017
Legal Intern
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA)
03.2014 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B.) - Law
University of Nairobi
05.2011 - 11.2016
Legal Partner and Board Member
Iganne Limited
8 2019 - Current
Associate
Kimani and Muriithi Associates
2 2018 - 5 2019
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