On 4 March, the UK Ministry of Justice’s GREAT Legal Services and Africa Legal hosted a managing partner roundtable event with a number of managing- and senior partners from Kenya’s most influential firms. The discussion, based firmly on the Swahili tradition of coming together for a common purpose, sought to enhance mutual understanding, promote knowledge exchange, and develop strategic partnerships between legal professionals across these regions.
The event began with a focus on firm best practices to enhance cross-cultural practice experience, and attendees explored the notion of the temporary transfer of lawyers between organisations, which has proven beneficial for both law firms and their clients. The partners pointed out that secondments like these offer a way for lawyers to gain invaluable insights into the operations, culture and legal challenges of their host organisations, thus enabling them to tailor their legal advice more effectively.
This strategy, which also embodies the essence of harambee by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and fostering deeper relationships between firms, emerged from the discussion as one of the key ways to facilitate better working relationships between UK and East African firms.
The conversation then explored the sectors which are ripe for collaboration between UK and East African firms, identifying renewable energy and finance as areas with significant potential. The dialogue underscored the evolving capabilities of East African firms in managing complex projects, reflecting a shift towards more integrated and equitable collaborations.
Success stories in capital markets were highlighted, showcasing the burgeoning opportunities for cross-border partnerships, and emphasising the importance of equitable treatment and shared goals for all parties involved .
Further discussion addressed the complexities of navigating fee splits in international collaborations, reiterating the need for equitable treatment to maintain fairness and transparency. From an East African perspective, a collaborative approach to fee splits is crucial in order to foster a sense of mutual respect and shared success, which is vital for client satisfaction and the sustainability of long-term partnerships .
The integration of technology into legal practice, particularly the use of AI, was also examined. The participants acknowledged the opportunities and challenges presented by technological advancements, highlighting the importance of carefully managing these tools to enhance service delivery without compromising the integrity of legal advice. The discussion also revealed that smaller firms would find it more difficult to onboard new legal technology from a capitalisation point of view, pointing to disparities in resource availability that could impact the pace at which different sized firms adopted new technologies.
The importance of training and knowledge transfer was again underscored, pointing to the need for comprehensive learning opportunities and the development of critical thinking skills among the next generation of lawyers. Participants highlighted that a holistic approach to technology adoption and skills development will ensure that the legal profession remains adaptive and forward thinking, ready to embrace the benefits of technological innovation while mitigating its risks.
Roundtable discussions like these, and the partnership between the UK Ministry of Justice’s GREAT Legal Services Campaign and Africa Legal, not only aim to bridge the gap between UK and East African legal professionals, but also set a precedent for future global collaborations. This effort paves the way for a more interconnected and mutually beneficial global legal landscape in the pursuit of justice and legal excellence.
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