Bowmans > Nairobi, Kenya > Firm Profile

Bowmans > The Legal 500 Rankings

Kenya > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

With a strong foothold in complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions, Bowmans assists a wide range of clients, including lenders and borrowers across the energy, telecoms, real estate, and financial services sectors. Leveraged and acquisition finance, structured finance, derivatives, securitisation, subordinated debt, and insolvency and restructuring lie within the strengths of the practice, in addition to a dedicated fintech team. Practice head Cornelius Kigera has most recently been engaged by lenders in the oil and tea sectors on commodity finance matters, while Dominic Indokhomi is the go-to for queries relating to digital assets. Managing partner Paras Shah supports on complex transactions, including IPOs and sovereign bonds.

Kenya > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The corporate, commercial and M&A practice at Bowmans is a key industry player, boasting a high-profile client list in the financial services, private equity, agriculture, and food and beverage sectors. Large, cross-border transactions, public acquisitions, joint ventures, as well as due diligence and regulatory support form core pillars of work for the experienced team. M&A specialist Rainbow Field and competition law expert Joyce Karanja spearhead, with managing partner Paras Shah, who is well-versed in private equity and capital markets deals, Richard Harney, who is experienced in financing and structuring, and Philip Coulson, who covers company and commercial law, rounding out the team. Joyce Mbui, Vruti Shah, Kendall Evans,  Wathingira Gituro, and Christina Nduba-Banja assist across the range of corporate and commercial matters.

Kenya > Employment Tier 1

Bowmans is a prime choice for international clients navigating the domestic employment scene and domestic corporations requiring a breadth of service. Leveraging cross-border expertise in the region, the team has an excellent track record in union and unfair dismissal suits, employment law elements of M&A transactions, employee incentive plans, and dispute resolution. Leadership is held jointly between Rainbow Field, whose focus is restructuring and redundancy, and Terry Mwango, who is the point of contact for contentious matters. Cecil Kuyo supports on litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Kenya > Privatisation and projects Tier 1

Bowmans sets the pace in novel infrastructure and project development particularly in the energy sector, assisting a range of domestic and foreign investors and developers. Portfolio acquisition, PPPs, investment proposals, infrastructure development, and energy transitions count among the practice’s key strengths. Highly regarded for his work on renewable energy deals and project financing, Aleem Tharani leads the practice, with support from Edwin Baru, whose work in C&I power projects, PPPs, energy transition, and procurement matters earned him a partner promotion in March 2023, and Matthew Arrumm, who has strong project finance credentials.

Kenya > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Dividing its attention between private city master plan developments, construction law matters, conservation projects and commercial leases, Bowmans enjoys a strong position in the fields of real estate and construction. Real estate transactions, construction contracts, private conservancy foundations and land development, and land rights disputes count among the team’s strengths. Practice head Cornelius Kigera is a heavyweight in real estate financing transactions, and is supported by the complex projects-focused Alex Njage, construction law specialist Simon Kiriba, conveyancing and property development expert Paras Shah, and commercial property expert Philip Coulson.

Kenya > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Bowmans‘ experienced dispute resolution practice counts among its clients consulting firms and actors within the real estate, consumer goods, tech, and commodities industries, and advises on a variety of governance and compliance matters, IP and tax litigation, insolvency disputes, and international arbitration. The team benefits from the leadership of Terry Mwango, whose specialisms include IP, media, and competition law. Cecil Kuyo is a key asset for alternative dispute resolution, and George Ndung’u supports across the range of contentious work.