Principal Legal Associate, Centralized Legal at Britam

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Manager in charge of Centralized Legal, the purpose of this role is to assist the Manager in the provision of legal support to the centralized Legal segment and the effective management of legal risks.

Key responsibilities:

• Draft, Negotiate and Review contracts or other legal documentation and assess legal implications that need to be brought to the attention of management.
• Provide Legal Advisory on  assigned matters through the provision of well researched Legal Opinions, Reports, Presentations and participation in internal/external meetings.
• Provide pro-active and strategic legal solutions to Centralized Legal matters, including provision of legal support to the Group business support functions as well as the regional subsidiaries.
• Provide Legal support on mergers, acquisitions and related business expansion transactions undertaken by the Company.
• Draft contractual documents including Leases for conveyancing transactions by the Company.
• Keep abreast on upcoming laws and regulations and advise the business on implications thereof.
• Adhere to and Update the Legal Processes Manuals.
• Manage external Advocates handling active briefs through pro-active correspondence.
• Instruct Advocates to take up matters on behalf of the Company.
• Review advocates legal costs to ensure that the same are within the Advocates Remuneration Order 2014 as well as attempt other cost saving measures.
• Prepare and submit status reports within reporting timelines.
• Effective Management of disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, case management, review of pleadings, preparation of witnesses and attendance of court hearings.
• Manage Legal documents and records and facilitate execution of legal documents in line with the Contract Management Policy. 
• Facilitate and participate in training programs initiated by the Legal Department. 
• Attend and Participate in Departmental and Segment meetings.
• Assist in taking minutes as requested from time to time.
• Delegated Authority-As per the approved Delegated Authority Matrix.

Key Performance Measures:

• Compliance with the set Turn Around Times on Legal Advisory and Contract Management.
• Effective management of disputes. 
• Cost Savings.
• As described in your Personal Scorecard.

Knowledge, experience and qualifications required

• Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from a recognized University.
• Post graduate Diploma from Kenya School of Law.
• An advocate of the High Court of Kenya holding a valid practicing certificate with at least 4 years post admission experience. 
• At least 4-6 years relevant experience in the commercial department of a busy law firm or legal corporate environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of corporate and commercial law and the respective Laws and regulations.

Technical/ Functional competencies:

• Demonstrable knowledge, appreciation and application of legal concepts.
• Excellent Report writing-ability.
• High moral and ethical standing.
• Highly motivated, self-driven individual and dependable Team Player.
• Innovative, Problem solver and solution oriented.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).