The growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in legal work is increasingly dividing opinion between skeptics and believers. Skeptics warn of inaccuracy, ethical compromise and declining service quality. Believers, on the other hand, maintain that AI is not only inevitable but indispensable to modern legal practice. The truth, however, lies somewhere in between. AI is neither a panacea nor a threat to be resisted. It presents a shift in how legal services are being delivered to businesses.
Tabitha Weru is a Legal Director in the Dispute Resolution department of IKM. She is well-versed in commercial dispute resolution, employment and labor relations litigation and advisory and insurance matters. Tabitha has also been involved as assisting counsel in a number of precedent-setting cases.
Tabitha’s clients include the government, state corporations, insurance companies, leading banking institutions and private companies.
- She was part of the legal team that represented the Republic of Kenya in a high-value international arbitration proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in a complex dispute with a contractor, involving issues of contractual performance, government liability, and cross-border enforcement.
- Successfully represented a leading multinational beverage company in arbitration proceedings concerning multi-disciplinary consultancy agreements (mechanical, electrical, civil/structural, and environmental engineering services) in connection with the development of a new production facility.
- Part of the team that represented a leading multinational in proceedings at the High Court challenging an Arbitral Tribunal’s Award which granted compensation outside the contract between the parties.
- Advised and acted for major banking and financial institutions in enforcement of securities, receiverships/administrations, statutory power of sale, and debt recovery actions. Work included defending institutions against court challenges, issuing legal opinions on enforcement strategies, and negotiating restructuring and settlement arrangements.
- Represented various clients in high-value construction disputes, including representing government entities and private sector clients in arbitration and litigation arising from infrastructure and engineering contracts. Experience includes handling claims relating to delay, variations, defective works, and termination of contracts, as well as advising on dispute resolution mechanisms under FIDIC and bespoke contracts
- Advised and represented clients on intellectual property rights including infringement, passing-off and unfair competition claims, with appearances before the Industrial Property Tribunal and the High Court. Work included protection strategies, enforcement, and litigation.
- Advised various clients on employment and labour relations matters including termination, redundancy, and dismissal claims. Representation included defending employers against claims for unfair dismissal, work injury, redundancy disputes, and claims under the Employment and Labour Relations Court. Regularly involved in advising clients on compliance, disciplinary procedures, and negotiating out-of-court settlements.
- Represented multiple leading banks, insurers, corporates and high-net-worth individuals in complex debt recovery litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Work included issuing advisory opinions, structuring recovery strategies, and successfully negotiating favourable out-of-court settlements.
- Acted for clients before specialist Tribunals including the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) and the National Environment Tribunal (NET), both in prosecuting and defending disputes. Work included challenging procurement processes, contesting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals, and drafting as well as presenting applications, responses, and submissions in complex procurement and environmental disputes.
- Represented clients in contentious property disputes involving land ownership, title challenges, and injunctive relief, including appearances before the National Land Commission.
- Involved in various legal due diligence reviews for clients across various sectors (financial services, manufacturing, energy) in relation to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Scope included regulatory compliance, tax exposure, and contractual risk assessment.
- Advised clients on debt restructuring, insolvency, winding up and receivership proceedings, including providing strategic guidance on creditor rights, restructuring negotiations, and cross-border insolvency implications.
- Successfully defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and its officers in constitutional petitions and judicial review proceedings challenging the conduct of the electoral process in the lead-up to the General Elections
Professional Qualifications
- Advocate admitted to the High Court of Kenya (2014)
Education
- Kenya School of Law, Diploma in Law (2013)
- University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Laws LL.B. (2012)
- Certified Public Accountant (finalist) (2011)
- Certified Secretary (part II)
Prior Experience
- May 2026 to date Legal Director, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates)
- 2020 to April 2026, Senior Associate, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates)
- 2015 to 2020, Associate, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates)
- 2014 to 2015, Pupil, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates)
Memberships
- Law Society of Kenya
- Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya
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