Legal Counsel, Conveyancing at Optiven Limited

 Job Purpose Statement:

The job holder is responsible for safeguarding the company’s legal interests, including:

• Providing expert legal services across a broad spectrum, including due diligence, land acquisition, finance-related laws, procurement, hospitality, construction, ICT, and intellectual property.
• Ensuring accurate and compliant property ownership transfers mitigating legal risks and supporting the company’s strategic operations and emerging legal needs
• Represent the company in legal proceedings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Track and manage property transfers at various lands registries.
• Monitor the subdivision process to ensure timely completion and provide legal advice on issues impacting these divisions.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date project files, including all essential completion documents.
• Ensure that titles for each project are prepared and available.
• Collaborate with the documentation team to secure necessary clearances for transfer of Titles to Clients and transfer of Project lands to the company.
• Assist in drafting letters of offer for lease acquisitions, review commercial contracts and other essential documentation.
• Conduct due diligence through official property searches for potential leases or purchases.
• Review and verify the terms of conveyancing documents prepared by external lawyers.
• Provide advice on legal requirements, processes, and documentation for property disposals.
• Update and track the monthly commercial agreements report.
• Develop policies and standard operating procedures in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Keep division heads informed about market developments and government directives that may affect their operations.
• Respond to and manage all court summons, pleadings, and demand letters received by the company.
• Maintain a detailed calendar of all ongoing court cases and their hearing dates, guarantee representation by skilled advocates in all court proceedings.
• Provide monthly litigation progress reports to the group Directors.
• Handle and address all court summons, pleadings, and demand letters served to the company.
• Keep a comprehensive record of all active court cases and their scheduled hearings.
• Ensure the land clerk and legal administrator securely store title documents.
• Submit monthly updates on litigation progress to the group Directors.
• Evaluate the training needs within the portfolio as well as conduct and facilitate training sessions for the team on the portfolio.

Qualification And Experience Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws Degree
• Post Graduate Diploma – Kenya School of Law
• Must have worked as in house Legal counsel for a corporate entity for at least 2 years.
• Working knowledge of conveyancing, court rules & land registry procedures.
• Must have hands on experience in interpretation & application of legal texts, statutes, rules & regulations.
• Ability to work independently and with no supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to anticipate work needs and interact professionally with customers.
• Strong sense of responsibility and urgency.
• High level of accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
• Be computer literate.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must have the ability to work as a team.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Must be business minded.