ESTHER SEMAKULA
Kampala
Summary
Experienced legal profession with a solid background in Contracts Management and Governance, Risk and Compliance Management. Offering an in-depth understanding of GRC requirements and best practices. Adept at navigating legal systems and regulations.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Partner
Mulindwa Associates & Co Advocates
01.2021 - Current
- Successfully litigated 50 cases and applications, which brought in combined revenue of Ug Shs 470 M/- in legal costs
- Developed strategies for court proceedings and negotiations
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Represented clients in courts of law in civil, land, criminal, commercial and family matters
- Provided outstanding legal services to clients, promoting effective and lasting business relationships
- Provided commercial transaction advisory and contract management services to corporate clients
- Strategic planning and implementation, and management of staff.
- Collaborated with colleagues and support staff to maximize team efficiency.
- Networked with other professionals and organizations to expand contacts and opportunities.
- Developed and implemented strategies to enhance partner relations.
- Oversaw firm's day-to-day administrative operations, provided guidance to support staff
- Spoke with peers to verify task completion, meeting tight deadlines, and schedules
- Evaluated productivity and quality of service and made recommendations for improvement to reach firm's short-term and long-term goals
- Recruited, trained and mentored attorneys, paralegals and support staff to strengthen legal team
- Monitored partner performance and provided feedback on areas of improvement
- Stayed informed on industry developments and market trends to gain competitive advantage
- Collaborated with colleagues and support staff to maximize team efficiency
- Networked with other professionals and organizations to expand contacts and opportunities
- Developed and implemented strategies to enhance partner relations
- Oversaw firm's day-to-day administrative operations, provided guidance to support staff
- Chaired partner meetings to drive discussion of matters important to firm operations, keeping discourse on-topic and moving at efficient pace
- Established firm's financial strategy by adequately distributing funds across company, monitoring monthly budget and evaluating results
Director
International Society for Human Rights, Chapter
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Managed performance and coordinated work of Legal Services Division comprising of 16 lawyers
- Provided legal advice, interpretation, and guidance to senior management and officers regarding programming
- Developed training courses and materials for magistrates and other judicial officers
- Researched and prepared memoranda, position papers, reports, briefing papers/policy briefs, presentations for management
- Prepared project progress reports and budgets
- Designed and developing new projects through proposal writing and fundraising
- Supervised and mentored staff
- Ensured compliance with organizational regulations and policies.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas
- Evaluated company documentation to verify alignment with regulatory requirements
Legal Consultant
Algotech, Commonwealth Investment Corporation, Commonwealth Technologies Ltd,
02.2015 - 12.2018
- - Drafted, negotiated and managed more than 500 contracts on behalf of organizations
- - Developed contract management metrics for organizations which ensured timely and quality deliverables.
- - Established channels for problem solving and conflict resolution during contract execution.
- - Perused contract breach claims and recovered Ug Shs 1.5B/- on behalf of organizations.
- - Developed and implemented compliance systems and standard operating procedures.
- - Developed culture of compliance adherence through conducting continuous inhouse training for over 500 staff members.
- - Assisted organizations strengthen internal structures.
- - Proactively managed litigation risk.
- - Annual and ad-hoc training for businesses
Company Secretary
Nice House of Plastic
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Drafted, negotiated and managed contracts with suppliers, distributors, financiers and customers ensuring quality and timely deliverables
- Developed risk management system in contracts lifecycle ensuring that risks inherent in business were mitigated and channels of dispute resolution were utilized
- Developed compliance culture through trainings, board buy ins and implementation of strong compliance management system
- Trained employees and board on compliance matters resulting into 100% pass in compliance audits - Implemented proactive risk management systems that reduced risk exposure, that resulted into over 95% reduction in employment related lawsuit
- Set up robust health and safety management system which led to reduction in incidents of accidents and subsequently led to 85% reduction in settlement, insurance and legal costs
- Vigorously pursued company’s intellectual property protection strategy reducing counterfeits in market by 100%
- Traced 94 claims which brought in UGX 3 Billion in cash inflows in terms of damages paid to company.
Legal Officer
AYA Group Ltd
11.2007 - 12.2009
- Provided contract management services for 24 floors pearl of Africa Hotel
- Drafted and managed over 50 FIDIC contracts
- Analyzed, negotiated and secured USD 47 million financing for hotel project
- Managed and coordinated service providers, consultants and contractors and created efficient and robust systems to ensure deliveries were timely and of good quality
- Offered Dispute Resolution Services
- Provided compliance and regulatory advice
- Assisted in preparation and delivery of annual compliance training
- Managed Litigation.
Education
Diploma - Legal Practice, Law, Centre
Development
Uganda2007
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B -
Makerere University
Uganda2006
Skills
- Corporate Transactions
- Legal Strategy Development
- Legal Counseling
- Corporate and Business Legal Issues
- Litigation and Contracts
- Problem Resolution
Timeline
Partner
Mulindwa Associates & Co Advocates
01.2021 - Current
Director
International Society for Human Rights, Chapter
01.2019 - 12.2020
Legal Consultant
Algotech, Commonwealth Investment Corporation, Commonwealth Technologies Ltd,
02.2015 - 12.2018
Company Secretary
Nice House of Plastic
01.2010 - 01.2015
Legal Officer
AYA Group Ltd
11.2007 - 12.2009
Diploma - Legal Practice, Law, Centre
Development
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B -
Makerere University
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