Profile
Jane is the managing partner of Robson Harris, and a leading name in the corporate governance, cross border transactions and commercial law circles. Prior to joining the Firm, Jane worked with the Central Bank of Kenya, the Deposit Protection Fund Board (now KDIC) Non-Governmental organizations in New York and the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services.
With a stellar career spanning over Twenty Five years; investors, high net worth clients and county governments often seek Jane’s expertise on complex matters in the fields of Mining, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law, Private Equity and Project Finance and Infrastructure. Over the years, Jane has garnered a formidable reputation in both the legal and business worlds as a reliable and knowledgeable commercial law Advocate.
With her extensive experience in financial transactions, Jane has been able to solve the most intricate challenges for her clients. She has worked on significant cross-border mandates across a range of jurisdictions in Africa and Central Asia and is widely recognized for both her strategic insights and attention to detail.
Dedication to excellent client service is an attribute visible in Jane’s daily routine. She believes that good leadership entails putting others first – their interests, concerns and needs. At the Firm, she has put in place an open door policy where clients and colleagues alike feel free to consult, seek advice and share information with her, and ensures that this attitude of openness and consultation runs throughout the firm.
Jane endeavors to keep clients abreast of developments in law and how these could potentially affect their lives and businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, has increasingly changed human interactions and she has been proactive in advising clients on how best to restructure their operations for longevity and to enable them flourish under uncertain times. Jane is determined to ensure that the Firm keeps up with present and future changes and continues to drive positive change for its clients.
Jane has served on the Board of Directors in several Public and Private Boards. She served as a member of Board Management Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) between 2001 – 2004; was a Commissioner at the Law Reform Commission between 2005 – 2012, a Trustee with the NSSF Board of Trustee between 2001 – 2008 and Chair of the Board of Trustees NSSF between 2007 – 2008. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Jubilee Holdings Limited and Chairs the Board Human Resource Nominating Committee.
Jane is a Certified Governance Auditor, Certified Secretary, Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Arbitrator, Legal Auditor and Certified Patent Agent. She works with Boards and Senior Management in addressing Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Regulation matters. Jane advises several listed and unlisted companies in addition to undertaking Governance & Legal Audits and Board Evaluations.
She holds a Masters of Law Degree in International Business Law (LLM) from the University of Hull (UK), Bachelors of Law University of Nairobi (LLB) and a Diploma of Laws from the Kenya School of Law. She is a member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Chattered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (Kenya Chapter) Institute of Certified Secretaries, East African Law Society, ICJ (Kenya Chapter), Women on Board Network (WOBN) women’s corporate Directors (WCD) and FIDA.
Away from the office, Jane provides mentorship to upcoming women lawyers noting the myriad of challenges in the profession. She is involved in a number of charity & community projects including support for education and the yearly Mater Heart Run. Jane enjoys the outdoors, reading, spending time out with her family. Often, you will find her walking in Karura Forest and Ngong Hills.
Practice areas
Commercial Law
Corporate Governance
Energy Law
Private Equity
Mining, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law
Corporate Restructuring, Mergers and Acquisitions
Pensions Law
Corporate Law
Legal and Governance Audits
Cross Border Transactions
Project Finance and Infrastructure
Matters Handled
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Successfully conducted comprehensive Legal Compliance Audits for Pension Schemes, State Corporations and Limited Liability Companies to ensure their compliance with the legal and regulatory framework;
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Acted for a client in the construction and sell of 56 high end luxury apartments and villas in Naivasha valued at USD. 10 Million;
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Recently acted for a client in the establishment, licensing and operationalization of an EPZ Company valued at over USD. 10 Million and which will generate over 3000 job opportunities to Kenya, with a projected revenue of over USD. 70 Million within 5 years;
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Acting for a publicly listed company in connection with the development of a Golf Estate on a 774-acre parcel of land comprised of more than 6,000 residential units, commercial properties, offices, a hotel, a hospital, clubhouse, sports facilities, 18-hole golf course and recreational facilities valued at USD. 140 Million;
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Rendered legal and Advisory services in the Construction of the Fula Rapids Hydro Power Projects. The project was the first independent Power producer in South Sudan by Construction of a run –of river fula rapids HPP on the Nile close to the Ugandan boarder valued at USD. 1 Billion. The project was funded by the Government of Sudan Sudan. The Government of Norway through Norfund and the African Development Bank;
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Acting in the advisory and representation of a client Government in international arbitration proceedings International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) whose subject value is in the excess of USD. 700 Million;
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Assisted and acted for an international company in the Establishment and construction of an Oil Terminal in Mombasa valued at USD 500 Million;
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Acted for and assisted several bank in the establishment and entry into South Sudan. This include KCB, Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank South Sudan all valued at USD 200 Million;
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Acted for and assisted several insurance companies in the establishment of subsidiaries in South Sudan including UAP, Britain valued at USD 78.4 Million;
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Part of the team reviewing several laws and legislation at the Kenya Law Reform Commission. These include the Companies Act 2015, Business Laws, Constitution of Kenya 2010, Labour Laws and Land Laws;
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Part of the team that acted on behalf of a Client in the acquisition of a prime Property valued at USD. 3.9 Million for the purposes of establishing a factory for the production and processing of edible oils;
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Conducted Legal Due Diligence on AfricInvest Fund IV LLC by AfricInvest on behalf of a national pension scheme investing approximately USD. 5 Million;
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Conducted Legal Due Diligence on African Development Partners III by Development Partners International on behalf of a national pension scheme investing approximately USD. 5 Million;
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Conducted Legal Due Diligence on Everstrong Kenya Infrastructure Fund by Everstrong Capital on behalf of a local pension scheme valued at USD 20 Million;
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Led the team that defended a major oil corporation in a contractual dispute involving building of a major pipeline where the Claimant sought payment of sums to the tune of USD. 126.5 Million;
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Acted for a Client in its financial restructuring and increment of its share capital USD. 32.2 Million;
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Led the team in the successful representation of a government agency at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board wherein the Applicant inter alia sought an order for annulment of the of decision of the government agency finding the Applicant’s tender worth Kshs. 1.5 Billion as non- responsive at the technical evaluation stage and awarding the tender to another bidder;
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Led the team in acting on behalf of a major Bank that instituted an Insolvency Petition against a cable manufacturing company for the sum of Kshs. 298.8 Million; and
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Currently leading a team representing major power supply company where they were constrained to terminate a contract for the supply of a consignment of over 8,000 transformers worth in the upwards of Kshs. 1.1 Billion. The Claimant seeks inter alia damages for breach of contract as well as payment of the outstanding sum of the contractual sum.