award
Commercial Litigation Recognition
Recognised for strategic handling of complex commercial disputes.
Managing Partner
Gertrude Kibare
Litigation & Banking
Managing Partner. Leads the firm's litigation and banking & finance practice with a focus on strategic, resilient counsel.
- Department
- Managing Partner
- Bar
- High Court of Kenya
- Languages
- English · Kiswahili
Professional Overview
Beyond the title.
Managing partner with a courtroom strategist's discipline and a banking lawyer's command of risk.
“Gertrude believes legal strategy should be exacting, practical and calm under pressure, advice that can survive both board scrutiny and adversarial litigation.”
Gertrude is the Managing Partner of Johnson & Partners Advocates LLP and the architect of the firm's modern, technology-enabled practice. She has spent her career representing financial institutions, regulators and corporate clients in their most consequential matters.
Known for clear-eyed strategy and an unflinching trial presence, she is regularly entrusted with high-stakes commercial disputes, regulatory engagements and complex banking transactions across Kenya and the region.
Leadership Philosophy
Gertrude believes legal strategy should be exacting, practical and calm under pressure, advice that can survive both board scrutiny and adversarial litigation.
Professional Focus
Managing Partner mandates that combine technical command with commercial fluency.
Key Accomplishments
Led bank recovery and security-enforcement matters involving multi-party commercial assets.
Client Approach
Senior, hands-on counsel with direct contact from intake to closing.
Career History
A trajectory of consequential mandates.
- TodayManaging Partner · Johnson & Partners Advocates LLP
Leads firm strategy, litigation standards and banking mandates for institutional and regulated clients.
- 2021Head of Litigation & Banking
Built an integrated disputes and finance desk for urgent injunctions, recoveries and complex security enforcement.
- 2017Senior Counsel · Financial Institutions
Advised banks and insurers on regulatory engagement, documentation and high-value commercial disputes.
- 2013Commercial Litigation Associate
Developed a trial-focused foundation in pleadings, interlocutory applications and settlement strategy.
- AdmissionAdvocate of the High Court of Kenya
Called to the Bar after completing the Advocate Training Programme at the Kenya School of Law.
Qualifications & Education
Credentials that underwrite the counsel.
Academic
- LL.M, Commercial Law
- LL.B (Hons), University of Nairobi
- Postgraduate Diploma, Kenya School of Law
Bar Admissions
- — High Court of Kenya
Memberships
- — Law Society of Kenya
- — East Africa Law Society
- — International Bar Association
Qualifications & Certifications
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
Commissioner for Oaths
Notary Public
Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K)
Certified Professional Mediator
Expertise & Practice Areas
Where this counsel applies.
PRACTICE AREA
Banking & Finance
Capital, credit and cross-border financing engineered for African markets.
EXPLOREPRACTICE AREA
Dispute Resolution
Considered, strategic and relentless when the matter goes to court.
EXPLOREPRACTICE AREA
Tax
Strategic tax counsel for complex transactions, disputes and KRA engagement.
EXPLOREAreas of Specialisation
Drafting and review of credit facility and security documentationKenyan banking and financing regulatory advisoryCommercial litigation in the High Court and Court of AppealDomestic and international arbitrationCorporate and transactional tax structuringTransfer pricing policy and documentation
Achievements & Recognition
Authority earned in the room.
Selected awards, appointments, speaking engagements and recognitions that have shaped this practice.
- AchievementLed bank recovery and security-enforcement matters involving multi-party commercial assets.
- AchievementDesigned the firm's matter leadership model for senior-client access and disciplined reporting.
- AchievementRecognised internally for mentoring junior advocates in advocacy, ethics and client stewardship.
- AchievementPublished practical guidance on banking regulation and modern Kenyan legal practice.
- PublicationBanking Regulation in Kenya. Practitioner's Note (2024)
- PublicationThe Modern Kenyan Advocate (2023)
Awards & Certificates
Recognition, records and milestone proof points.
award
Banking Practice Leadership
Acknowledged for contributions to banking and finance advisory standards.
Beyond the Profile
Highlights, appearances & community.
Conferences, awards, speaking engagements and community work, moments from the practice.
In Conversation
Interviews, talks & appearances.
Selected video features from conferences, media interviews and firm-hosted briefings.
Publications & Insights
From the desk of Gertrude.
Direct Contact
Engage Gertrude directly.
For confidential matters, write directly or book a consultation. All enquiries are handled with discretion.
Related Counsel
Other partners & senior advocates.
Emanuel Mariiba
Associate Advocate
Associate Advocate supporting commercial transactions and dispute resolution mandates.
Johnson P. Osoi
Founding Partner
Founding Partner. Leads complex corporate, project finance and energy mandates with a regional footprint.
Topua Lesinko
Partner
Partner. Advises on constitutional law, M&A, public procurement and election disputes across Kenya and the region.
Engage Counsel
The Experience You Need. The Counsel You Keep.
Whether you require a confidential consultation or a free case evaluation, our partners are ready to listen.