New Perimeter in collaboration with EADB provides training on contract negotiation to East African government lawyers

New Perimeter, DLA Piper's nonprofit affiliate that provides long-term pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world, conducted a five-day virtual training on negotiating international agreements for public sector lawyers from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

DLA Piper collaborated with the East African Development Bank (EADB) to deliver the training from August 5-11 for approximately 50 government lawyers who are involved in negotiating contracts related to natural resources on behalf of their governments. This marks the seventh year New Perimeter has worked with EADB to train East African public sector lawyers and the first year the training has been delivered virtually.

''We are delighted to continue our longstanding collaboration with EADB,'' said Sara Andrews, New Perimeter Assistant Director. ''In this uncertain climate, it is more critical than ever to continue to provide capacity-building training to public sector lawyers.''

''The training is based on experiential learning involving the negotiation of a simulated transaction,'' said Jay Finkelstein, the DLA Piper partner who developed the training. ''We were able to preserve the interactive nature of the training in an online format while continuing to benefit from the level of engagement and learning that comes from having participants and trainers come together from multiple countries around the globe. As many post-COVID negotiations move to online platforms, the participants were able not only to engage in and benefit from the training, but to preview this anticipated 'new normal.'''

The interactive program focused on negotiating complex agreements and explored substantive issues involved in joint venture agreements, supply agreements and technology license agreements, as well as issues related to the political, social and economic context in which the agreements are negotiated. The training included active involvement from all participants and was conducted with a combination of interactive lectures and simulated negotiations. The objective of the capacity building training is to assist countries in the region to structure transactions and related policy in a manner beneficial to the host country

''Any country's natural resource endowments can and should contribute to growth and development as well as improved livelihoods and a decline in the poverty levels of its citizens,'' said Vivienne Yeda, EADB Director General. ''East Africa's extractive sectors can benefit the economic region greatly if effort is made to establish and maintain strong and stable institutions, well-formed policies and overall good economic management''.

The seven seminars conducted to date have enhanced the ability of East African government lawyers to negotiate complex transactions. EADB acknowledges the contribution of DLA Piper and the facilitators who have continued to make the seminars a success. 

The DLA Piper team that participated in the training included partners Jay Finkelstein (Washington, DC) Lisa Jacobs (Philadelphia), Casey Sobhani (Los Angeles) and Craig Tighe (Palo Alto); senior associate Ngowari Adikibi (Paris); lead lawyer Charlotte Sas (Brussels); associate Taylor Randazzo (Austin), and law clerk Michael Marelus (New York and Brussels). Joining the team from DLA Piper Group Firms IKM Advocates and IMMMA Advocates were partners Sadock Magai (Dar es Salaam) and Beatrice Nyabira (Nairobi), and director Judy Muigai (Nairobi). 

About EAST AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (www.eadb.org)

EADB's mission is to promote sustainable socio-economic development in East Africa by providing development finance, support and advisory services. In addition to development finance and related services, it performs key roles in regional integration including offering development advice to member states of the East African Community.

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About DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.

About New Perimeter

New Perimeter is a nonprofit organization established by global law firm DLA Piper to provide pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world to support access to justice, social and economic development and sound legal institutions. Founded in 2005 as a result of our firm’s commitment to support legal advancement worldwide, New Perimeter’s vision is to harness the skills and talents DLA Piper lawyers to further a more just world for all.

Contacts

Josh Epstein, Media Relations, DLA Piper, T. 212.776.3838