LL.B Hons. (Moi University), Diploma (KSL). ACIarb, Trademark & Patent Agent.

Austin Ondaba

Austin is a diversely experienced Commercial Lawyer with deep interest in Corporate, Labour and general Commercial transactional lawyering. He is a dynamic and resourceful thinker who can be relied upon when it comes to matters legal. A social and people person with soft leadership skills and derives much satisfaction from seeing and participating in growth both on personal and organizational levels.

He is the Managing Partner at Ondaba & Partners Advocates LLP, a young legal firm with a bias towards Commercial and Corporate practice. Austin currently serves as non-executive director to a number of small and medium enterprises, is currently engaged by the Nailab Accelerator as a legal consultant and has mentored several young people towards achieving their goals.

Austin serves as the Kenya Representative at Doing Business International (DBi) – a Netherlands-based international network of professionals whose aim is to find local expertise to establish and operate companies abroad. As the Nairobi Business Specialist, Austin advises and helps firms on best business practice navigation in the local legal and commercial scenes.

Austin’s first formal engagement was in early 2010 at Mazars Kenya, an Audit and advisory firm, as a Company Secretarial Assistant within its Company secretarial arm, Emu Registrars. While at Mazars Kenya, part of his assignments included Registration of Limited Companies, NGO’s and Welfare groups, preparation for and attendance of Board meetings and AGM’s and safe keeping/management of Statutory and compliance documents.

In addition to that, he was involved in particular assignments such as Restructuring of various entities, (Mali Rasili Limited), the preparation of Information Memoranda and Prospectus (Jamii Bora Bank Rights Issue), reclassification of Shares and attendant Rights (East African Cables Limited, Resolution Health E.A), Conducting Rights Issues and eventual listing on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (TransCentury Limited) among many others.

He later joined Invesco Assurance mid 2013 where he oversaw commercial transactions, managed Labour matters in conjunction with external lawyers, assisted the Company Secretary in the preparation and facilitation of the Board Agenda and meetings, safeguarding the Corporate interests of his employer including ensuring Statutory compliance and reporting besides advising on the legal ramifications of new legislation within the relevant sectors.

While at Invesco, Austin oversaw the registration of a Savings Sacco for the benefit of the staff thereafter serving as the inaugural Chairman of the first management committee. After about three years at Invesco Assurance, Austin left formal employment and ventured into private legal practice and management of family business besides dedication of time to community service. Austin is a staunch Rotarian, an avid rugby fan/part-time player, and a strong believer and proponent of selfless service to the surrounding community.

(LL.B) THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA. PGD (KSL)

BRIAN OMWARE

Brian is a passionate, reliable and self-motivated advocate who emphasizes honesty and self-discipline in his day-to-day legal practice.

Brian graduated from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2014 with a Bachelor of Laws and is a holder of a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. He was admitted to the bar on 28^th March 2018 and has been practicing since then.

Brian began his legal career as a Legal assistant at the firm of L.N Momanyi & Company Advocates in Mombasa where he was tasked with carrying out research on Criminal and Civil matters. He later joined the Firm of Rustam Hira Advocates in Nairobi as a pupil and thereafter retained as an Associate upon admission in 2018.

He was involved in drafting legal documents which included Conveyance, Commercial transactions, Succession matters, and Civil matters. He also participated in the registration and filing of the above-mentioned documents.

He is currently an associate of Ondaba & Partners Advocates LLP, towards Litigation, Commercial Law, Corporate/Company law and practice, Employment law and property conveyance. Brian is quite familiar with court rooms all around the country and regularly attends to matters in the Lower and Higher Courts.

Brian ensures his clients are compliant with laws and regulations and liaise effectively and collaboratively with multiple legal subject matter experts and keep them updated on the ever-changing laws that regulate the civil, commercial, and land sector. He manages a diverse and challenging workload with competing priorities and stakeholders. He further offers the corporate clients advisory opinion on regulations towards the formation of companies and filing of annual returns. When Brian is not safeguarding the rights of his clients, he enjoys road trips and playing chess.

Employment and Labour Relations Consultant

DANIELLA CHEMUTAI

Daniella is an experienced Human Resources professional with a demonstrated history of working in the Broadcast Media and Insurance industries. She’s a team player with good leadership and people skills.

Daniella holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Human Resources Management option from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), an executive Diploma in Labour and Industrial Relations from the United States University Africa (USIU) and, a Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).

Daniella is also a HR Specialist with experience in providing businesses with HR services and solutions to fit their business needs. Some of her specialties in the industry include:

• Development and implementation of human resource strategy, ensuring its alignment with overall company objectives.
• HR Operations Activities
• Recruitment and Selection
• Development and implementation of performance management and improvement systems, in line with the company strategy.
• Development of HR Manuals
• Development of Job Descriptions
• Employee relations
• Managing and Delivering Trainings
• managing HR Communication;
• Change Management
• ERP/HRIS automation and implementation

She boasts of over 8 years’ HR industry experience, including as Business Partner and eventually Head of Department in the various organizations she worked for. This has therefore elevated her understanding of the workplace, people and systems required to achieve maximum productivity for an organization.

At Ondaba & Partners Advocates LLP., she is charged with provision of consultancy services on Employment Law, Labour Relations and Human Resources Advisory with a practical touch based on her corporate experience. This largely complements the technical legal and court-room services for the firm’s clients as and when the need arises. Daniella is an avid reader and enjoys a wide array of literature, a passionate Community Development participant and a vocal advocate for workplace equality.

LLB Hons. (University of Nairobi), Post-Graduate Diploma (KSL)

JOSHUA KIILU

Joshua Mwonga Kiilu is an astute advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He holds an LLB (Honors) Degree from the University of Nairobi and a Post-Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. 

Joshua is an upcoming and dynamic proficient attorney and is well versed in dispute resolution, criminal law matters, employment, Labour relations matters, Commercial Law, Land Law, Real Estate, Tax law, and Technology Law among other legal matters.

As an advocate, he is a diligent, critical and analytical thinker with a keen eye to detail. At Ondaba and Partners Advocates, Joshua is an asset to The Firm owing to his commitment to offering prompt, practical and high-end practical legal services and solutions to our clients’ needs.

In order to be effective, he focuses on research to draw reasonable, practical and logical conclusions or assumptions from an informed perspective. His advocacy skills are beyond reproach and are aimed at safeguarding the clients’ best interests. 

Through his warm personality, Joshua combines his drafting and advocacy skills with effective negotiation skills to make comprehensible, persuasive and assertive arguments on behalf of our clients.

At Ondaba & Partners, Joshua handles a wide range of cases such as complex commercial and litigation matters, Employment and Labour relations, as well as real estate and criminal law matters. In his personal free time, Joshua enjoys traveling for adventure and reading to expand his knowledge, skills, and relax his mind.

Registered Certified Company Secretary

WASHINGTON OTIENO

Washington is a registered Certified Secretary with the Registration of Certified Public Secretaries Board and a member of the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya, having graduated from Vision Institute of Professional Studies in 2015. He is also an experienced and seasoned Legal Clerk especially in Corporate Secretarial matters.

His career first began in 2016 as a law clerk at the firm of Kahuthu And K. Advocates where he trained and gained experience in company registration, assisting in Research and in the conduct of legal due diligence for pending and upcoming court cases, attending court and writing up briefs, drafting court orders and decrees for execution.

He then joined the firm of Ondaba And Partners Advocates in 2019 as a Corporate Secretarial Assistant and currently oversees matters corporate secretarial including registration and conversion of companies, preparation and filing of Annual and/or Interim Returns, conducting event-driven filings for companies as well as conducting Research on company secretarial functions and professional developments in keeping up with the latest corporate secretarial practices.

He has had leadership opportunities as a student leader in Ofafa Jericho High School and later in Intra-Global Training Institute where he assisted in developing the Institute’s vision and ensuring its values and beliefs were observed by students, overseeing the implementation of policies and Board decisions affecting the students and the institute at large, advocating for and promoting good governance within the Institute, fostering inclusivity and incorporation of students in the decision-making process and representing students in council meetings and/or Board meetings. Outside corporate secretarial practice, he is an avid pianist, enjoys soccer and listening to jazz and rhumba music.

Human Resources Manager and Legal Secretary

ANGELA MERICI AJWANG’

Angela is a highly organized and personable Human Resources Practitioner.

Angela has gained immense experience in recruiting, improving employee relations, carrying out staff inductions and organizing employee training. She has extensive knowledge of all activities related to HR optimization such as payroll, recruitment, personnel action forms, benefits, and employee orientation.

She has a strong attention to detail and is capable of working under high levels of confidentiality. Angela is someone who will always represent the HR department and company in a professional manner.

Angela graduated from Mount Kenya University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resources Management option). She also holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management from The Kenya institute of Management which she acquired in 2007. After which she worked for East African Breweries Ltd in 2008 as a Human Resources Assistant.

On top of this, she is a qualified Company Secretary and holds a Diploma in Secretarial Studies from the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) which she acquired in 2005. This enviable certification has landed her roles in the legal industry in Kenya by enabling her work as a Legal Secretary in various reputable law firms.

Angela began her career as a Legal Secretary in 2010 at Kibera Maina & Co. Advocates where she was tasked with carrying out secretarial duties which included but not limited to preparation and typing of court correspondences, ensuring the smooth running of the firm and handling petty cash amongst other roles.

She later joined the firm of Gikunda Miriti & Co. Advocates in 2016, where her roles revolved around office administration and Legal Secretarial work.

She is currently the Human Resources Assistant and Legal Secretary at Ondaba & Partners Advocates LLP. Upon joining the firm, she established the Human Resources department and continues to improve, grow, and organize Human Resources systems along with her other legal secretarial roles.

Other than her administrative abilities, her pleasant manner also enables her to communicate effectively, improve on HR related matters with other practitioners for the benefit of employees and management. When Angela is not working, she gives back to the community through philanthropy where she generously gives of her time, finances, and skills. She visits children’s homes and helps the less fortunate of society.

Office Assistant and Customer Service Executive

MICHAEL OTIENO ODIWUOR

Michael is the first point of contact at the Ondaba & Partners Advocates LLP LLP office. As the office assistant, Michael provides a high level of customer experience to all clients at the firm. 

Through his polite and professional demeanor, Michael communicates to clients via phone, e-mail, mail and in person. He anticipates the needs of others in order to ensure a seamless and positive customer and employee experience.

Michael studied Business Administration (Sales & Marketing option) at the Maseno University. Before joining the Law Firm, Michael worked with several other corporates, including the Automobile Association (AA Kenya) in similar capacities.

Michael is a qualified office administrator with vast experience in the business administration docket and continues to proficiently handle office tasks, such as filing, generating reports and presentations, setting up for meetings, and ordering supplies.

Michael provides real-time scheduling support by booking clients’ appointments, which ensures smooth running of activities at the firm. He also makes travel arrangements, such as booking flights, cars, and making hotel and restaurant reservations for the Firm’s representatives.

Being a busy office set up, Michael screens phone calls and routes callers to the appropriate party, provides computerized reports, transcribes minutes from meetings, creates presentations, and conducts research. This ensures that the firm’s activities are well-coordinated and client’s services are provided efficiently. In his free time, Michael likes to read and socialize.

Trainee Advocate. LL.B Hons (Strathmore University).

LYNDAH TUGEE

Lyndah graduated from Strathmore University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She is currently enrolled at the Kenya School of Law for the Advocates Training Program (2020/2021).

She has previously worked at the Center for Intellectual Property and Information Technology (CIPIT) where she honed her skills in the two areas of law. Her role included research and writing on IP and IT and commentary on policy development in the same area.

She later joined Ondaba & Partners Advocates in 2019 as an intern where her role included drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and conveyancing documents, registration and setup of commercial companies for both Kenyan citizens and foreigners, research work around immigration law and research and writing on new laws in Kenya.

She is keen on legal writing and hopes to get the opportunity of publishing regularly on matters arising in law across the world. When she is not dealing with matters legal, she enjoys travelling and site-seeing, consuming art through reading fiction and photography and occasionally watching sports.