Mandipa Machacha - Botswana
2012 seconded to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Mandipa holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree (in Psychology) and a post graduate LL.B degree, both from the University of Cape Town. She is currently reading for a LL.M in Public International Law (more specifically International Economic/Trade law and Dispute Resolution) through the University of London International Programmes. Upon writing her Bar examinations she was admitted to practice, as an Attorney in the High Court of the Republic of Botswana, in October 2011. After a brief stint in private practice she joined Public Service at the Attorney Generals Chambers as State Counsel in their International and Commercial Division. Currently she works in most areas relating to International and Commercial law however her main areas of interest are International Commercial Arbitration, Competition/Antitrust and International Trade law, in particular Trade and Development.
Onalenna Otlaadisa - Botswana
2012 seconded to Slaughter and May
Onalenna obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Botswana in October 2008, graduating as one of the best students in her class. She was admitted to practice as an Attorney in the courts of Botswana in November 2008, and later as a Conveyancer and Notary Public in February 2010. Her career started at the Attorney General`s Chambers in 2008,where she was State Counsel in the Civil Litigation Division. She later joined the firm Bookbinder Business Law as an associate in February 2010, where she is currently employed. She currently handles general civil litigation matters with an emphasis on commercial litigation and employment/ labour law matters. She is also involved in the firm`s largely growing commercial practice and drafts contracts as well as assists in several transactions including mergers and acquisitions, listing of companies on the stock exchange and other commercial transactions.
Onalenna is an active member of the Law Society of Botswana and is currently part of the local team running the Trial Advocacy Program. She has been involved with the program since 2010 and recently returned from Seattle, Washington in the United States of America where she underwent training for trainers, together with participants from other African countries.
Lom Ahlijah - Ghana
2012 seconded to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Lom holds a combined majors degree in Psychology and Sociology (BA) and a post graduate law degree (LLB), both from the University of Ghana.
Lom was called to the Bar in September, 2011 and currently holds the position of Legal counsel at the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo). Prior to working at GRIDCo, Lom was a Junior Associate at the corporate law firm of Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah. He has particular interest in energy law, corporate finance and capital markets.
Lom is also an alumnus of the Inter- American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, as well as, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
Robert Githinji - Kenya
2012 seconded to Ashurts LLP
Robert graduated in 2010 with an LLM-distinction in Petroleum Law and Policy from the Center for Energy Petroleum Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), University of Dundee-UK and holds an LLB from the University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Public Private Partnership (PPP) Specialist by the Institute of Public Private Partnership (IP3-USA). He is a member of Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), East Africa Law Society (EALS) and Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He was admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 2004.
Robert is Senior Legal Officer-{Commercial and Regulatory} with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) where he is involved in commercial law assignments. KPLC is a virtual monopoly in Grid Power distribution in Kenya. He has developed keen interest in the area of Public Private Partnerships and is involved, on behalf of KPLC, in negotiating and drafting of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with power generators including Independent Power Producers (IPPs), drafting of project agreements incidental to PPAs i.e Direct Agreements, Reimbursement and Credit Agreements. He also advises the company on regulatory and Public Procurement matters.
Nelly Wamaitha - Kenya
2012 seconded to Simmons & Simmons LLP
Nelly Wamaitha is an Associate at the firm of Mboya Wangongu & Waiyaki Advocates . She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. She was admitted to the roll of advocates of the High Court of Kenya in October 2009. Her area of specialization is corporate commercial law, which involves the provision of transactional legal advice, advising on the capital markets, corporate finance, reconstructions, mergers and acquisitions and commercial agreements.
She is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, the East African Law Society and the Kenya Christian Lawyers fellowship where she is a member of the mentorship committee, which provides mentorship to university students. She is also involved in providing career guidance and training to students in high schools in various parts of Kenya. Nelly loves to travel.
Hlupekire Phiri - Malawi
2012 seconded to S J Berwin LLP, UAE
Hlupekire holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Hons Degree from Chancellor College, University of Malawi and an executive MBA from Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute, Arusha. She is currently studying for CSQS under the International Qualifying and Membership body of the Chartered Secretary Profession, UK. She was admitted to the Malawian Bar in 2003 and practices as a Notary Public since 2011.
She works for Airtel Malawi Limited, the biggest mobile network operator in Malawi as Legal Counsel and Company Secretary from 2006. She previously worked as a Legal Practitioner for three years at Racane Associates.
She is a Member of the Malawi Law Society and enjoys exercises, reading, travelling and cooking.
Desmond Ogba - Nigeria
2012 seconded to Latham Watkins LLP
Desmond Ogba is an associate in the business law firm of G. Elias & Co. in Lagos. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ebonyi State University in 2007 leaving as one of the best students in his class. He graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2008 with First Class Honours and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar later that year.
In the banking and corporate finance department of G. Elias & Co., Desmond has been advising sponsors, financial institutions and borrowers alike on numerous complex project, acquisition and structured finance transactions involving home-grown and international entities in both private and public sectors of the economy.
Many of the deals that he has advised on have been listed in leading and reputable international law directories and have gained the firm of G. Elias & Co. the rank of a tier one law firm in the areas of law practice covered by those directories.
Desmond is a member of the Section on Business law segment of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Masud Balogun - Nigeria
2012 seconded to Norton Rose LLP
Masud holds a Bachelor`s degree in law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. He joined the Firm of Olaniwun Ajayi LP, in 2008.
Masud has appeared with silks as a junior and sole advocate before superior courts in Nigeria in commercial disputes ranging from corporate restructuring, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, regulatory intervention, among others. He has also advised on aspects of foreign investment, securitization and conflict of laws.
Masud enjoys watching football and is a follower of Real Madrid FC.
Dipo Akinbode - Nigeria
2012 seconded to Watson Farley Williams LLP
Dipo is a graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, is an associate in the firm of Banwo & Ighodalo, one of Nigeria`s foremost full service law firm. Dipo`s experience spans litigation, arbitration, tax, capital market and oil and gas transactions. He is currently a member of his firm`s Energy and Natural Resources practice group.
Dipo is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, as well as the International Bar Association. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK) and also a student member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Recently, he has been involved in several multi-jurisdictional transactions, including several oil and gas acquisitions. He recently advised on the acquisition and financing of two Oil Mining Leases in Nigeria. He was also involved in advising on the corporate restructuring of a major Nigerian oil and gas company, which involved the reverse takeover of a Canadian-based listed entity. Between September 2011 and January 2012, he served as secretary/rapporteur to the chairman of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Committee on the De-mutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Richard Balenzi - Rwanda
2012 seconded to SNR Denton LLP
Richard is a Chevening scholar and holds LLM in Corporate and Financial Law fromthe University of Glasgow. Richard also holds a BA (Hons) in Law with French from the University of Nottingham and a Diploma in legal practise from the Law Development Centre in Uganda.
Richard is a Senior Associate at Rwanda`s biggest commercial law firm, Trust Law Chambers where he handles mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations.
He also lectured business law part time and wrote a bi-weekly legal column for Rwanda`s biggest English paper, The New Times. Richard is a member of the Rwandan Bar Association and the East African Law Society. He speaks English, French and Swahili.
Ibrahima DIALLO - Senegal
2012 seconded to Herbert Smith LLP
Ibrahima DIALLO, holds a LL.M in Business Law from the University Cheikh Anta DIOP of Dakar. He is qualified in 2005 with the Senegalese Bar Association.
Since, he practices in GENI & KEBE law-firm mainly in litigation and dispute resolution in corporate, commercial and labour law. He also handle charities clients portfolio. Ibrahima conducted a work experience in 2009 with the Paris Branch of White & Case where he focused on international commercial Arbitration.
Nombulelo Beauchamp - South Africa
2012 seconded to Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Nombulelo Beauchamp holds a BCom and an LLB degree (University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) as well as an LLM (Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington, D.C., USA). Nombulelo had a stint at the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the highest court in the land. She practiced at Bowman Gilfillan Inc. and her areas of interest are general corporate and competition law. Nombulelo enjoys reading, traveling, good food and a good conversation.
Deon Nel - South Africa
2012 seconded to S J Berwin LLP
Deon holds a B.Com Law and LLB from the University of Pretoria and is in the final stage of completing a LLM in Corporate Law. Deon started his career as a commercial attorney in the private sector and moved into the public sector in 2010 as a Governance Specialist and Legal Advisor for the Development Bank of Southern Africa where he is currently providing legal advice on mainly corporate governance issues and project financing. Deon`s blend of experience allowed him to develop a passion for corporate governance and infrastructure development in Africa.
Amina Shamte - Tanzania
2012 seconded to Trinity International LLP
Amina Shamte is a Commercial Lawyer working with the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA). Before joining EWURA she previously worked as a Legal Assistant at Farringdon Solicitors in London. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) from Makerere University, Masters of Commercial Law from Cardiff University, admitted as an Advocate in August 2011. Ms Shamte has extensive experience in Commercial Law with a strong background in Regulatory Affairs, Energy Law and Alternative Dispute Resolutions. Amina is a member of the Tanganyika Law Society and the East African Law Society. A keen sports fan who supports Arsenal Football Club, enjoys exercising, reading and doing Interior designing in her spare time.
Aisha Sinda - Tanzania
2012 seconded to Allen & Overy LLP
Aisha Sinda has practiced as an Associate at Mkono & Co. Advocates and worked with Tanzania Investment Bank Limited as Senior Counsel. She is also a part-time Lecturer at the University of Bagamoyo. Aisha holds an LLM from University of Pretoria and LLB (Hons) from University of Dar es Salaam. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and a member of Tanganyika Law Society and East Africa Law Society. Her main areas of practice are banking and finance, conveyancing and property law and mergers and acquisition. Aisha also advises clients on a wide range of areas including general corporate matters, civil aviation, mining, oil & gas and telecommunication. She has also written numerous articles on investment and trade issues in Tanzania including Mining & Minerals Chapter on Tanzania 2012, Registration of Aircraft Tanzania Update 2012 and Tanzania: The Public Private Partnership Act, 2010 and its implications for the business community. Aisha enjoys travelling and dancing and is a devoted fan of the "Gunners" an English Premier League football club.
Samia Nasri - Tunisia
2012 seconded to Clifford Chance LLP
Samia Nasri is a member of the Tunisian Bar since 2007 , she holds an executive MBA from Emory Goizueta Business School , Atlanta, USA and a Masters Degree in Anglo American Law-Common Law (Tunisia), has interned in the legal department of a leading insurance company in USA (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Chicago). Samia has practiced with leading firms in Tunisia (Caid Essebsi &Partners law firm, Abdelly&Associes law firm, Donia Ellouze law firm) and has extensive experience in business law, investment law, contract law, employment law, oil&gaz law, banking and finance law and has recently obtained a certificate of Islamic Finance Expert from the General Council For Islamic Banks and Financial Institution and is a member in the legal committee of the Tunisian Islamic Finance Council (Le Conseil de la Finance Islamique de Tunisie COFIT).
Josephine Kimbe - Uganda
2012 seconded to White & Case LLP
Josephine obtained her Bachelors? degree with Honours at Makerere University and her Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre emerging the overall best student. She was awarded the Chief Justice?s prize and the inaugural DentonWildeSapte (now SNR Denton) prize, which led to her secondment to the United Kingdom office in 2004. In 2007, she was awarded the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) Award to Erasmus University Rotterdam for an LLM in Business and Corporate Law where she obtained a cum laude (first class). Josephine is a GRAD ICSA, Commissioner for Oaths and is admitted to practice Law in Uganda.
She is currently working for the Central Bank of Uganda and is primarily responsible for providing advice on financial sector reforms and proposing amendments to the financial sector legislation in line with current financial sector policies. Josephine has also worked with the National Social Security Fund (in charge of the Fund?s litigation) and Katende, Ssempebwa & Co Advocates (ranked as the leading law firm in Uganda by Chambers and Partners Guide to the World?s Leading Lawyers and IFLR-1000).
Nusula Nassuna - Uganda
2012 seconded to Hogan Lovells International LLP
Nusula holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Makerere University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre and is concluding a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree from the University of Manchester. She is a qualified Chartered Secretary (GradICSA) with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators,UK; an Enrolled Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and all the subordinate courts and a member of the Uganda and East African Law Societies.
She currently works as Compliance Officer in the Legal and Compliance department of the Capital Markets Authority, Uganda. She previously worked as an Inspectorate Officer with the Inspectorate of Government of Uganda and as a Legal Assistant in a private law firm. Nusula`s areas of interest are Capital Markets, Banking, Corporate Finance, Financial Services Regulation and Law and Finance in Emerging Markets.
Chanda Musonda - Zambia
2012 seconded to Nabarro LLP
Chanda holds an LLB degree from Rhodes University, South Africa. Whilst at university, she was a recipient of the Deans Merit Award throughout the duration of her studies as a law student. She was also accorded membership in the Golden Key International Society, a society recognizing academic excellence. Chanda is an advocate of the High Court of Zambia and a member of the Law Association of Zambia. She has worked for the law firm of Musa Dudhia & Company since 2009, where she began as a trainee advocate. Her areas of practice include corporate advisory, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and intellectual property.