'Real-world solutions to real-world problems' with Eric Gumbo, G & A Advocates

It’s essential for law firms to contribute to the space they’re working in and not just have answers for hypothetical situations. In this podcast, Africa Legal host Craig Sisterson chats to Eric Gumbo about providing real-world solutions to clients. In Africa’s dynamic and multi-faceted legal landscape, Eric Gumbo emerges as a paragon of collaborative success and relationship building. As a seasoned advocate practising at G&A Advocates LLP, a Kenyan full service law firm which he founded in 2006, Gumbo has dedicated his professional trajectory to cultivating meaningful connections with clientele spanning diverse industries. G&A’s purpose, he says, is to provide real-world solutions to real-world problems. “Our clients are at the heart of what we do,” Gumbo told Sisterson. Over the last 18 years, G&A Advocates LLP has become a trusted advisor, handling a number of highly complex and sensitive matters, including providing counsel in electoral disputes that have arisen following the past three presidential elections in Kenya. In handling political disputes, Gumbo believes in fostering transparent communication which enables the firm to deliver customised solutions. “It gives us an opportunity to contribute to what you would call the ‘democratic space’ of our country,” he said. G&A seeks to contribute to key sectors of the economy both in Kenya and in the region, and Gumbo views energy as an integral sector in Kenya, and the backbone of economic activities in the East African country. The firm plays a significant role in advising on the energy transition agenda in Kenya and the region. Working on a Kenya-Djibouti green energy project gave G&A an opportunity to have high-level impact. “It gave us an opportunity to understand how much lawyers can impact society through deliberate and well-structured documents in a way that not only achieves success for the client’s project, but also helps them achieve greater societal objectives,” Gumbo added. Another significant mandate that the firm recently received was advising on a recent Eurobond or sovereign debt transaction. Gumbo believes in building the capacity of Kenyan firms, so with this client G&A brought on board a few up and coming law firms which would not otherwise have had the opportunity to work on such a deal. This, he said, was done so that they could collectively contribute to the advancement and evolution of the legal landscape in Africa. In their discussion, Gumbo shares with Sisterson the values the firm espouses, saying client centricity, tailoring solutions to best fit their needs, professionalism and integrity are their top priorities. The podcast wraps up with Gumbo sharing the firm’s future-focused outlook which will ensure it remains relevant in the industry and society as a whole.