Ugandan lawyers win continental awards

Three Ugandan lawyers have been recognized with accolades at the just concluded African Legal Awards, 2019, held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

KTA Advocates, a law firm found in Kampala, also won the Intellectual Property year award, beating the renowned big law firms on the continent like Bowmans which has a continental presence and Webber Wentzel, South Africa’s associate of the largest African association of laws among others.

The African Legal awards that were held on September 6, recognize the exceptional achievements from Africa’s legal fraternity for the year before.
The winners were honored for handling the continent’s best legal work for top deals and most complex cases.
The Kampala-based law firm that started its legal operations about ten years ago, specializes in intellectual property, telecommunications, IT, media and broadcasting.

“The highlight of course is winning the Intellectual Property Team of the year in Africa. We were in a tough category with some of the best in Africa and to return home with a win, is a validation that Uganda is at the forefront of tech and intellectual property in Africa,” said Mr Kenneth Muhangi, a partner with KTA Advocates who received the accolade on behalf of the law firm.
Another Ugandan lawyer who bagged an award at the colorful gala, was Mr Ronald Murungi who bagged the “In-house Rising Star” accolade.
Mr Murungi is the head legal and Group company secretary at ENCOT foundation and ENCOT microfinance Ltd.

The other category that saw Ugandan lawyers recognized for their outstanding performance was that of “Partner of the Year award.”
The lawyers recognized for their outstanding contribution in the IT litigation included; Ms Alice Namuli Blazevic from Katende, Ssempebwa & Co. Advocates and Mr Muhangi from KTA Advocates.

This category that was won by a Nigerian lawyer, Mr Funke Adekoya, Aelex, attracted over 2,000 contestants with only seven lawyers including the two Ugandans, making it to the last seven.
Region-wise, MMC Africa Law of Kenya, won the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team of the year award.

Hosted by Legal Week and Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa (CCASA), the awards brought together Africa’s legal finest.
The awards comprise of 26 categories in which both private practice law firms and in-house legal departments.
This year’s gala saw over 100 legal firms and entities being shortlisted for these prestigious continental awards.

UTILITY

Employment Law Team of the Year
Baker McKenzie
IP Team of the Year
KTA Advocates
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year
MMC Africa Law
Rupert Candy Attorneys Incorporated
Competition & Regulatory Team of the Year
Webber Wentzel
TMT Team of the Year
Bowmans
Property & Construction Team of the Year
Templars
Transportation & Infrastructure Team of the Year
Bowmans

Energy & Natural Resources Team of the Year
LNP Attorneys
Environmental & Renewables Team of the Year
Couto, Graca e Associados
Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team of the Year
Templars
M&A Team of the Year
Dentons
Best Use of Technology
Extent Corporate Advisory
CSR, Diversity, Transformation and Economic Empowerment Award
Hogan Lovells International

Innovation Award
Afriwise
In-House Most Promising Newcomer Award
Berenice van den Berg, Legal Advisor & Compliance Officer, Philafrica Foods Pty Ltd a member of the AFGRI Group

Private Practice Most Promising Newcomer Award
Daphne Dorcas Butagalanye, Associate, Signum Advocates
Private Practice Rising Star Award
Juliet Mazera, Associate Partner, MMC Africa Law
Partner of the Year
Funke Adekoya, Aelex
In-House Rising Star Award
Ronald Murungi, ENCOT Microfinance Limited
General Counsel of the Year
Pieter Badenhorst, AFGRI Group
Legal Department of the Year - Small Team
AFGRI Group
Legal Department of the Year - Large Team
LAW FOR ALL
African Network/Alliance of the Year
Linklaters/Webber Wentzel

Alternative Service Provider of the Year
LAW FOR ALL

Specialist Law Firm of the Year
Clyde & Co
African Law Firm of the Year – Small Practice
LNP Attorneys Inc.
African Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice
Webber Wentzel
International Law Firm of the Year
Miranda & Associados
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
Tiefenthaler Attorneys Inc.

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