Legal Officer

Co-operative Bank of Kenya, one of the country's leading financial institutions with a rich history dating back to 1965, is seeking a highly competent and self-driven Legal Officer to join its Legal Services team in Nairobi. This is a critical role within the Bank's legal and compliance framework, designed for a seasoned legal professional who can navigate the complex intersection of banking law, commercial litigation, and corporate governance.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted internal legal advisor, providing proactive counsel across all business units while managing litigation, contracts, securities, and credit recovery support. If you thrive in a fast-paced banking environment and have a demonstrated ability to mitigate legal risk while enabling business outcomes, this role is for you.

• Deliver independent legal advisory services to all departments within the Bank, identifying and mitigating legal and regulatory risks before they escalate.
• Manage the Bank's litigation portfolio — coordinating with external counsel, reviewing case progress, and providing strategic recommendations to minimise exposure.
• Review, analyse, and interpret applicable laws, regulations, and judicial decisions to inform the Bank's legal positioning and operational decisions.
• Support contract negotiations from inception to execution — reviewing, drafting, and modifying contractual instruments to protect the Bank's interests across business activities.
• Advise on recourse options for non-performing contractors and implement contractual remedies in a timely and legally sound manner.
• Guide relevant departments on the perfection of securities and associated documentation, and coordinate annual securities audits including advising on any remedial processes identified.
• Provide cost-effective legal support to the credit recovery function, assisting in the management of non-performing loans while ensuring full regulatory and litigation risk compliance.
• Design and facilitate internal legal training sessions for staff, ensuring relevant departments are kept up to date with applicable legal requirements and regulatory changes.
• Participate actively in risk management forums, reviewing risk reports and contributing legal expertise to the identification and mitigation of key institutional risks.
• Conduct ongoing research on legal and regulatory developments in Kenya's banking sector and prepare well-structured briefs and updates for the Head of Legal Services.

• Must hold a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognised university — you should be able to apply legal theory to real-world banking and commercial scenarios with confidence.
• Must be an admitted Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and hold a current, valid practising certificate — you must be in good standing with the Law Society of Kenya.
• Must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years of post-admission legal practice, with a proven track record in litigation management, contract drafting and negotiation, and conveyancing within a reputable organisation.
• Ability to interpret complex banking regulations, financial laws, and commercial contracts and translate them into actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate strong analytical and documentation skills — you should be able to produce clear, accurate, and persuasive legal briefs, opinions, and reports.
• Proven ability to negotiate and influence effectively at various organisational levels, balancing legal rigour with business pragmatism.
• Working knowledge of Kenya's banking legal environment, including the Banking Act, Central Bank of Kenya regulations, and related commercial statutes, will be a significant advantage.
• Possession of a Certified Public Secretary (CPS) qualification will be considered an added advantage.

Co-operative Bank of Kenya offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Based on market benchmarks for Legal Officers at this level within Kenya's banking sector, the estimated monthly gross salary range is KES 150,000 – KES 250,000. The Bank is known for providing a comprehensive benefits package to its staff. Specific compensation details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates during the interview process.

Ideal candidate: You are a practising Advocate with at least five years of substantive legal experience, ideally gained within a bank, financial institution, or a busy commercial law firm serving banking clients. You are detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple legal matters simultaneously. You can work independently, meet tight deadlines, and communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.

Do not apply if: You do not hold a current LSK practising certificate, you have fewer than five years of post-admission experience, or your background is exclusively in areas unrelated to commercial, banking, or litigation law. Applications without the mandatory LL.B degree and Advocate status will not be considered.

• Visit the Co-operative Bank of Kenya's official careers portal or the advertised application platform where this role is listed.
• Prepare and upload your updated CV, a cover letter clearly outlining your suitability for the role, and copies of your LL.B certificate and current LSK practising certificate.
• Ensure all documents are complete and accurate before submitting — incomplete applications may not be considered.
• Note: No fees of any kind are charged at any stage of the Co-operative Bank recruitment process. Do not pay for certificates, assessments, or any other service as part of this application.