Senior Associate - Tax at Clyde & Co

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Associate – Tax to join our Kenya office. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience advising on both contentious and non-contentious tax matters, strong technical expertise, and the ability to manage complex mandates with minimal supervision. The role requires demonstrated capability in tax advisory, tax structuring, tax disputes, and regulatory compliance, as well as the ability to engage effectively with clients, tax authorities, and internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Advisory & Compliance

• Provide strategic and technical advice on a wide range of Kenyan tax issues including income tax, VAT, excise, customs, withholding tax, transfer pricing, and tax incentives.
• Advise on tax structuring for corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, financing arrangements, and cross-border transactions.
• Prepare and review tax opinions, compliance assessments, and advisory memoranda.

Contentious Tax Matters

• Handle tax disputes from audit through objection, settlement negotiations, and appeals before the Tax Appeals Tribunal and courts.
• Liaise with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on behalf of clients, including during audits, investigations, and dispute resolution engagements.
• Develop litigation strategy and draft pleadings, submissions, affidavits, and related documents for contentious tax proceedings.

Client & Matter Management

• Manage client relationships, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery of work and maintaining a strong client-service ethos.
• Lead and supervise junior associates and trainees, providing mentorship, technical training, and performance guidance.
• Contribute to business development initiatives, including pitches, proposals, thought leadership, and industry presentations.

Regulatory & Industry Engagement

• Stay up to date on legislative and regulatory developments in the Kenyan and regional tax landscape.
• Participate in internal knowledge-sharing initiatives and represent the firm in professional forums where required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Admitted Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, in good standing.
• Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
• Undergraduate law degree (LLB) from a recognized university.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ post-admission experience in tax law practice, with demonstrable exposure to both contentious and non-contentious tax matters.
• Strong drafting, analytical, and legal research skills.
• Proven experience managing client relationships and leading teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of professional integrity, attention to detail, and sound judgment.