CMS Kenya | Daly Inamdar Advocates’ (CMS Kenya) latest rankings in the 2025 edition of Legal 500 reaffirm its position as a market leader in Kenya’s legal landscape and a trusted adviser on the region’s most complex and high-value matters. These rankings are based on extensive independent research, including client interviews and peer review, making them one of the most respected benchmarks in the global legal industry. The full rankings are provided here.
CMS Kenya is ranked across four key practice areas, including Commercial Corporate/M&A, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets, Dispute Resolution, and Real Estate & Construction, and continues to demonstrate depth, consistency, and strategic insight at the highest level.
For clients, these rankings are more than accolades. They represent independent validation of CMS Kenya’s ability to deliver commercially grounded, technically robust, and sector-aware advice in an increasingly sophisticated and competitive market. In a jurisdiction that is rapidly evolving, from regulatory reform to cross-border investment growth, consistent top-tier recognition signals reliability, resilience, and leadership. Unlike firms that are narrowly transactional or purely contentious, CMS Kenya’s rankings reflect strength across both advisory and disputes, positioning the firm as a truly full-service strategic partner.
As Kenya cements its role as a gateway to East and Central Africa, CMS Kenya’s performance in Legal 500 reflects not only excellence in execution but also its influence in shaping market standards and legal innovation across the region.
“These rankings reflect the trust our clients place in us and the depth of talent across our teams,” said Samir Inamdar, Managing Partner. “Our focus remains on delivering commercially strategic and technically excellent advice in a rapidly evolving market.”
Commenting on the recognition, Shitul Shah, Co-Head of the Corporate Commercial Practice, added “What distinguishes Legal 500 is that it is driven by client experience. This recognition confirms that our advice translates into real commercial outcomes. It reflects the confidence clients place in us to deliver clarity, speed and strategic judgement in transactions that define their growth.”
What This Means for Clients
• Market-Leading Capability Across Core Practice Areas
Recognition in Commercial Corporate/M&A, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets, Dispute Resolution, and Real Estate & Construction confirms CMS Kenya’s full-spectrum strength in supporting transactions, disputes, financings, and strategic investments.
- Proven Track Record on Complex, High-Value Matters
Legal 500 rankings are based on independent research and client feedback, underscoring CMS Kenya’s role on some of the most significant corporate restructurings, financings, contentious matters, and infrastructure projects in the market. - Integrated Local Insight with Global Reach
As the Kenyan member firm of the global CMS network spanning over 40 countries and over 90 jurisdictions, CMS Kenya uniquely bridges international investor expectations with domestic regulatory execution. This is achieved by combining Kenyan regulatory and commercial expertise with cross-border capability, critical for multinational investors, regional lenders, and development finance institutions. - Consistency in Legal and Commercial Judgement
Recognition across both transactional and contentious practices reflects balanced excellence, the ability to structure sophisticated deals and defend them where necessary. - Confidence in Governance, Risk and Compliance Advisory
In a dynamic regulatory environment, clients benefit from advisers who are recognised for anticipating legal risk and delivering solutions aligned with both Kenyan law and international best practice.
Position, Impact and Regional Significance
CMS Kenya’s Legal 500 rankings are not isolated achievements; they are indicators of sustained performance and leadership in a competitive legal market. They reinforce the firm’s position as a first-choice adviser for corporates, financial institutions, investors, and developers operating in Kenya and across East Africa.
At a time when clients demand strategic partnership rather than reactive legal support, these rankings affirm CMS Kenya’s role in setting the benchmark for quality, responsiveness, and commercial clarity in the region.
Client Testimonials
To further reinforce this recognition and provide deeper market insight, below are the Client testimonials reflecting partnership, responsiveness, and impact from Legal 500:
Real Estate & Construction headed by Harpreet Ubhi;
- “The partners and staff are knowledgeable.”
- “Harpreet Ubhi is an outstanding advocate and partner.”
Commercial Corporate/M&A headed by Julius Wako and Shitul Shah;
- “Personal touch. Agility to respond back fast”
- “Efficient and knowledgeable on the subject matter”
- “Energetic team that is excited and motivated to partner with us”
Banking & Finance headed by Julius Wako;
- “Julius Wako stands out.”
- “Availability of senior partners to engage with clients on legal matters.”
- “The team we worked with had excellent skills and experience in the financing sector and gave us valuable guidance we needed for purposes of strategically structuring the financing we were providing.”
Dispute Resolution headed by Samir Inamdar;
- “Samir Inamdar is one of the best litigation lawyers in the country. He is well respected by the courts for his sound knowledge of the law and his ability to deal with complex issues. I also rate Collette Akwana highly as a lawyer handling family-related matters.”
- “The [firm] is very professional and values ethics. I have dealt with Grace Kinyanjui who is the main lawyer on the case. What stands out is her commitment and dedication to understanding the case and at the same time also understanding the clients’ feelings.”
- “This is a competent and service-oriented firm with very receptive fee earners. They carry out their work promptly and diligently. Their work on disputes on family and succession matters is truly excellent, and I would rate them the best in Mombasa in these fields.”
As Kenya’s economy continues to evolve across infrastructure, financial services, private equity, and real estate, CMS Kenya remains committed to shaping the legal frameworks that enable growth.
If you would like to discuss how we can support your next transaction, financing, development project, or strategic dispute, please contact our team to explore tailored solutions backed by recognised market leadership.
About The Legal 500: The Legal 500 evaluates law firms across over 100 jurisdictions, highlighting those providing cutting-edge and innovative advice in corporate counsel. Research results are based on client feedback, law firm submissions, interviews with leading practice lawyers, and a team of researchers with unparalleled experience in the legal market.
