New Perimeter teams with EADB to provide training on contract negotiation to East African government lawyers

New Perimeter, DLA Piper’s nonprofit affiliate providing long-term pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world, recently conducted a five-day regional training in Nairobi, Kenya on negotiating international agreements for government lawyers from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

DLA Piper partnered with the East African Development Bank (EADB) to deliver the training for approximately 40 public sector lawyers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda who are involved in negotiating and reviewing contracts related to natural resources on behalf of their governments.  This marks the ninth year New Perimeter has collaborated with EADB to train East African public sector lawyers.

“It was wonderful being back in East Africa to deliver this impactful training in person,” said Jay Finkelstein, the DLA Piper partner who designed and led the training. “We were able to address a broad set of negotiation skills through presentations and experiential learning that will enable the participants to pursue better negotiated agreements on behalf of their countries.”

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.

EADB Director General, Vivienne Yeda, noted that discovery and ongoing exploration of various minerals and other natural resources in the region has raised the expectation of host communities and governments that their extraction will result in wealth creation, reduce budget deficit and improve the conditions of the local people.

“It is critical that host countries are able to derive tangible benefits from the exploitation of their natural resources,” said Yeda. “The benefits should accrue to the local communities in form of appropriate royalties, taxes, dividends, business opportunities, professional jobs and employment for skilled labor.”

“We are grateful for the continued collaboration with EADB on this important initiative and appreciate the high level of engagement from the government lawyer participants” said Sara Andrews, co-director of New Perimeter. “After two years of virtual trainings, it was wonderful to be able to return to Nairobi to deliver the training in-person.”

The onsite DLA Piper team included partners Jay Finkelstein (Washington, DC), Casey Sobhani (Los Angeles), Craig Tighe (Silicon Valley); senior lead lawyer Charlotte Sas (Brussels); and senior associate Kara Henderson-Price (Dubai). Joining the team from DLA Piper group firm IKM Advocates were partner Beatrice Nyabira (Nairobi) and director Judy Muigai.  Joining the DLA Piper team remotely were partner Glenn Reitman and of counsel Deanna Reitman (both in Houston), who connected to the training via Zoom to provide supplemental presentations.  

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.

DLA Piper has a long-standing and deep commitment to giving back to our communities. This commitment exists at every level in every office within the firm and is ingrained in the firm’s culture. Our aim is to be innovative and collaborative in our efforts so that we can provide the best possible service to our pro bono clients. We are committed to pro bono projects that advance gender and racial equality, protect children, and combat hunger.

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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