Legal Officer (Litigation)

Role Overview

This position offers an experienced litigation advocate the opportunity to manage the full spectrum of legal disputes and recovery actions for a financial services organisation. Day to day, you will represent the institution before Kenyan courts and tribunals, drive debt collection and enforcement proceedings, and provide practical legal guidance that protects the business from avoidable risk. Your work directly safeguards the company's financial health and ensures that all legal actions remain compliant with Kenyan law and regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of litigation matters, including loan recovery suits, insolvency proceedings, and other civil disputes arising from the institution's lending operations.
• Plan and execute debt recovery strategies, from demand letters and negotiation to judgement enforcement and attachment of assets.
• Draft, review, and vet legal documents such as pleadings, contracts, settlement agreements, and statutory notices to ensure accuracy and legal soundness.
• Handle court procedures and case management, including filing, attending mentions and hearings, and coordinating with process servers and court registries.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written opinions on issues affecting the institution, including regulatory changes, lending risk, and contract interpretation.
• Liaise with external advocates, court officials, auctioneers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of legal processes.
• Monitor compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, flagging potential breaches and recommending corrective action.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all ongoing cases and provide regular status reports to management on litigation and recovery progress.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognised university.
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and currently holding a valid practising certificate.
• A minimum of 3–5 years of post-admission experience in litigation, with demonstrable exposure to debt recovery and civil procedure.
• Prior experience in a financial institution, microfinance institution, or banking environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong drafting and advocacy skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal arguments clearly and persuasively.
• Sound knowledge of Kenyan civil procedure, the Companies Act, insolvency legislation, and land law as it relates to recovery of secured assets.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple court deadlines and competing priorities simultaneously.
• High ethical standards, professionalism, and the capacity to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams and external counsel.