Jobs at Equity Bank Kenya

• The Senior Legal Officer - Commercial supports the bank's commercial operations by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, advising on legal and regulatory compliance, and managing legal risks. Reporting to the Legal Manager - Commercial, this role ensures that the bank's commercial transactions are legally robust, aligned with business objectives, and protect the bank's interests.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Drafting and Negotiation:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including loan agreements, service contracts, procurement agreements, and partnership MOUs.
• Ensure all contracts are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements and aligned with the bank’s policies.

Legal Advisory and Support:

• Provide timely legal advice to the commercial business units on matters relating to transactions, projects, and operations.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies to support the bank’s commercial activities.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Assist in ensuring that the bank complies with legal and regulatory requirements affecting its commercial operations.
• Work closely with compliance teams to align commercial operations with regulatory frameworks.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential legal risks in the bank’s commercial operations and recommend mitigation measures.
• Conduct due diligence for significant commercial transactions to ensure legal soundness and minimize exposure.

Dispute Resolution Support:

• Provide legal support in resolving disputes arising from commercial transactions, including negotiating settlements.
• Liaise with external counsel on litigation or arbitration matters related to commercial disputes, as required.

Documentation and Records Management:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all commercial agreements, opinions, and legal correspondence.
• Ensure proper documentation of all legal approvals and authorizations related to commercial activities.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work collaboratively with internal departments, including credit, operations, procurement, and risk, to ensure seamless execution of commercial transactions.
• Provide regular updates to the Legal Manager - Commercial on significant legal issues affecting the bank’s commercial activities.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Support the Legal Manager - Commercial in conducting training for staff on legal aspects of commercial operations.
• Mentor junior legal officers in the commercial legal team.

Qualifications

Qualifications, Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a recognized institution.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate.
• Professional Certifications: Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate and Membership in the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
• Additional certifications in banking law, contracts, or commercial law are an added advantage.
• At least 5–7 years of experience in legal practice, with a focus on commercial law, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Prior experience in the banking or financial services sector is an added advantage.

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• 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).