EBKL- Legal Officer, Litigation at Equity Bank Kenya

• The Legal Officer - Litigation is responsible for assisting the Legal Manager - Litigation in managing the bank's litigation portfolio. The role involves handling legal disputes, preparing documentation, managing court filings, providing legal opinions, and supporting the resolution of contentious matters in a timely and efficient manner. The position also involves ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards and minimizing legal risks to the bank.

Key Responsibilities 

Litigation Case Management:

• Assist in managing the bank’s litigation matters, including claims, disputes, and debt recovery actions.
• Monitor and follow up on court cases to ensure deadlines and procedural requirements are met.
• Support the preparation of court documents such as pleadings, affidavits, motions, and petitions.

Legal Research and Documentation:

• Conduct thorough legal research on issues related to ongoing litigation and emerging legal trends.
• Prepare and review legal documents, reports, and correspondence to support litigation processes.
• Ensure that all legal filings are done within set timelines and in compliance with legal procedures.

Advisory and Support:

• Provide legal advice to internal stakeholders regarding ongoing and potential litigation matters.
• Assist the Legal Manager - Litigation in developing litigation strategies and risk management approaches.

External Counsel Coordination:

• Liaise with and provide instructions to external counsel on ongoing litigation cases.
• Review and evaluate external counsel’s work product, ensuring it aligns with the bank’s objectives.
• Monitor legal costs and ensure that external legal fees remain within budget.

Dispute Resolution Support:​​​​​​​

• Support dispute resolution processes, including settlement negotiations and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
• Draft and review settlement agreements, ensuring they are legally sound and in the best interest of the bank.

Compliance and Risk Management:​​​​​​​

• Assist in assessing legal risks associated with litigation cases and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, legal standards, and court orders in relation to litigation matters.

Reporting and Communication:​​​​​​​

• Prepare regular reports on the progress and status of litigation matters for senior management.
• Ensure effective communication of legal risks, opportunities, and litigation strategies to the relevant stakeholders.

Record Management and Filing:​​​​​​​

• Maintain proper records and databases of all litigation files, including pleadings, orders, and other legal documents.
• Ensure that all documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and easily retrievable for internal review or audit.

Training and Development:​​​​​​​

• Assist in providing training and updates to internal teams on litigation processes and legal developments.
• Support the development and growth of junior legal officers in the litigation team.

Qualifications

Qualifications, Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a recognized institution
• Professional Qualifications: Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate and a member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).