Firm Profile
OTWAL & MANWA ASS O C I A T E A D V O C A T E S
ABOUT US Otwal & Manwa Associate Advocates is a mid-sized law firm. We are a corporate boutique with a flexible take on legal work. Our team offers dedication and solutions for specific, unique client needs, solving complex briefs with precise strategy. a sophisticated law office addressing everything from legal crises to our clients’ day-to-day needs. We take a holistic and pragmatic approach to unravel Client problems. The firm engages in all aspects of corporate and commercial practice, conveyancing and real estate, secured and unsecured debt recovery, registration and enforcement of Intellectual property rights, banking and company law and is also a leading firm in commercial and civil litigation besides undertaking instructions in criminal practice.
Besides embarking on our work professionally; we are frequently requested to assist other lawyers and firms as well in significant cases, which seem destined for trial. We are ideally sized and configured to deliver the highest quality service to our clients, regardless of the complexity of the legal issues. Although relatively young in age, the firm has garnered a reputation for taking on matters that have drawn national attention both in the Corporate world and before our esteemed clientele. We have 2 support staff members. The support staff includes a Secretary, and a Court Clerk doubles up as a Messenger who are all dedicated to providing our esteemed clients with the best service.
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PRACTICE AREAS CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LITIGATION PRACTICE Our Litigation team has a strong track record of handling disputes for a diverse range of respected and recognized national clients, including financial institutions such as banks and insurers, major corporations, SMEs, and government departments. Our litigators are not just experts in the law; clients also appreciate our deep dive into the technical and commercial aspects of every dispute we undertake from advisory and investigative work to negotiations, mediations and adjudications with a view of offering the solution. We specialize in Debt disputes, Recovery of unpaid debt and enforcement of judgments, Contract Disputes, Disputes over interests in land and personal property, Priority disputes with regards to securities. Defending unfair preference claims commenced by liquidators. We also cover disputes arising from Employment contracts and Labour relations. We thrive by bringing integrity and energy to all manner of disputes.
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We have partnered with other organizations to offer our clients a complete end product to whatever start-ups and businessrelated entities.
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CORPORATE SET-UP, BANKING AND FINANCE Our team has a broad experience in structuring and negotiating complex financing deals, including in many cross-border transactions. We also represent borrowers which include listed companies, large government-linked conglomerates and private high net worth individuals. Be it banking or borrowing, we always begin by understanding your businesses and preferences inside-out in order to efficiently structure and effectively negotiate every step of your financing transactions.
to fulfil your investment plans through advising you on matters relating to Government relation, Tax compliance and obligations, Real estate, corporate structure, Investment protection, Construction, Employment Environmental aspect, Manufacturing, Sales in different markets.
In corporate set-up, we offer our client a seamless approach from the initial stage of Company formation, registration, branding and market positioning, we have partnered with other organizations to offer our clients a complete end product to whatever start-ups and business-related entities.
FAMILY LAW DIVORCE AND SUCCESSION We seek to obtain the best results for our clients and to offer quality family law services at a reasonable cost. Our firm is committed to settling cases early in the proceedings without sacrificing our client’s interests. However, if litigation is necessary, the Advocates at Otwal & Manwa are very proficient and aggressively seek to obtain the best results for our clients. We handle a variety of issues with regard to Contested and uncontested divorce, spousal maintenance/alimony, Property division, Child custody and support, Paternity and Domestic violence issues, Probate and Succession matters. In striving to provide the highest degree of service, professionalism and integrity, we offer full-service family law counsel. We also offer divorce mediation and limited scope representation.
IMMIGRATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT ADVISORY The world has become a global village, thanks to technology advancement, we share a world economy as businesses are expanding and companies strive to gain access to emerging markets. This can be achieved by having local partners that can expedite access to the said market. At Otwal & Manwa, we will help
PROCUREMENT AND COMPETITION LAW We deal with a wide spectrum of activities on the competition space – reviewing transactions for Competition Act compliance, clearing mergers with the Competition Authority, as well as advising on anti-competitive behaviour and abuse of dominant market position. We also specialize in Corporate Acquisitions. We handle government procurement-related litigation and related advice. We also advise on public procurement processes and regulatory issues touching on government contracts. Our team is also well equipped to handle procurement-related issues and advisories when dealing with private entities.
TAX LAW AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY Our tax practice entails advising clients on tax compliance, litigation arising from tax matters, due diligence and planning. Our tax planning and compliance services are designed to facilitate tax-efficient and optimal business operations. We also advise on diverse aspects of revenue statutes, including, double taxation treaties, transfer pricing, recovery of tax, and valueadded tax, withholding, corporate & income tax, as well as the East African Community Customs Management Act. 7
TEAM PARTNERS DESMOND DAVIS OTWAL SENIOR PARTNER Partner at Otwal & Manwa Associate Advocates, Otwal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL. B) from the Moi University and a Postgraduate Diploma at the Kenya School of Law. In addition, he is a Legal Advisor to the Office of the Narok County Senator. Otwal brings in complex business litigation experience to the Firm. A seasoned litigator, Otwal has appeared in court and arbitration proceedings within the Republic in several commercial disputes. Well versed in trial preparation and procedure, research and drafting legal documents, Otwal has prosecuted and defended quite a number of complex commercial transaction cases and has obtained several arbitration awards, judgments and settlements in high stakes business disputes that he has since handled. Otwal has extensive experience in litigating and arbitrating commercial disputes involving huge stakes and has well represented the clients’ interests to their satisfaction.
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MANWA HOSEA MANAGING PARTNER Manwa Hosea is an Experienced Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree (LL.B.) (Hons) from Moi University and Post-Graduate Diploma from Kenya School of Law. He has a heavy leaning towards litigation over a wide spectrum of legal fields including Constitutional law, which stems from his experience at the State Law Office. Further, he has experience in Family Law, Commercial Transactions, Immigration, Industrial and Labour law. He is also a writer and a formidable courtroom practitioner and a skilled negotiator.
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ASSOCIATES EDNA KWAMBOKA ADVOCATE Edna Kwamboka holds bachelors of law degree from the University of Nairobi and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She is a member of the Law Society of Kenya and the East Africa Law Society. Edna has previously worked for leading firms and acquired skills in corporate commercial transactions and has gained vast experience in corporate commercial law practice, conveyancing, property law and securities.
ORINA SAGINI ADVOCATE Orina Sagini has a Post-graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law, an LL.B. (Hons.) Degree from Moi University and Bachelors of Education (Arts) (Hons) from Kenyatta University. Sagini comes with a vast experience in Taxation Law, Corporate setup, Conveyancing, Insurance, Banking and Finance Law. An experience which was accrued through his time as a legal officer at the I&M Bank Limited. He has equally worked in competitive law firms within Nairobi.
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