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:ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
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:ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
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:ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
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:ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
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:ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
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).