Arbitration practitioners in Kenya and across Africa are set to enjoy broader perspective on global arbitration landscape, education and practice with the entry of the American-based globally respected Institute of Transnational Arbitration (ITA) into the African scene following appointment of Nairobi-based Leading Legal Practitioner and Scholar Dr. Paul Kimani, PhD, as ITA Board Co-Chair for Africa. The ITA, part of the Center for American and International Law in Plano, Texas, United States, is a global leader in shaping the international arbitration landscape through education, policy engagement, and support for key international arbitration treaties.

For the Kenyan legal fraternity and the African arbitration community at large, Dr. Kimani’s appointment marks a significant milestone and recognition of Kenya’s leadership position in International Arbitration Practice across the African continent. The appointment also reinforces the Kenya’s and Nairobi’s position on the international arbitration map even as it offers a vital opportunity to amplify African participation in the development of global arbitration norms.

In his new role, Dr. Kimani is expected to support broader engagement of African legal and arbitration practitioners in international forums and contributing to more inclusive dialogue around cross-border and transnational dispute resolution and arbitration. The ITA offers top-rated educational and professional programmes and activities for legal counsel, arbitrators, business executives, government officials, academics and other professionals in the quest to improve the practice and study of international arbitration and provide opportunities to enhance the arbitration community.

Dr. Kimani is a top-ranked Kenyan Commercial Lawyer and the Managing Partner of Paul Andrew Advocates, a Nairobi-based corporate and commercial boutique law firm known for its strategic focus, high-quality service, and dedication to innovation. As a practicing Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, his work spans corporate advisory, constitutional and administrative law, public-private partnerships, and increasingly, matters involving complex international commercial arbitration. He has represented clients across a range of sectors and jurisdictions, advising on legal frameworks and dispute resolution mechanisms that meet both commercial and regulatory expectations.

Beyond his core legal practice, Dr. Kimani is deeply engaged in academic and policy work. He serves as Associate Faculty at the University of Exeter School of Law in the United Kingdom and was previously a Tutorial Fellow at the University of Nairobi School of Law, where he taught and mentored young lawyers. He holds a PhD in Law from the University of Exeter, an LL.M. from University College London (UCL), and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Nairobi. He is a recognized authority in international commercial law law and has contributed to scholarly discourse in the area through publications in several leading international legal journals including the Queen Mary Journal of Intellectual Property, the LEAD Journal (SOAS), the Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation, the University of San Francisco Intellectual Property and Technology Law Journal, and the Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law, among others.

Dr. Kimani’s interest in the intersection of law, technology, international business and alternative dispute resolution has guided much of his recent thought leadership. He has written and spoken on cutting-edge topics such as cryptocurrency regulation, artificial intelligence governance and the impact of fintech. In February 2025, he co-hosted and moderated the widely acclaimed ITA symposium, “Arbitration in the Era of Cryptocurrency & Crowdfunding in Africa,” which brought together global experts from Western and Central Europe, United Kingdom, America and Africa to explore the legal dimensions of these fast-evolving areas.

Recently, Dr. Kimani was recognized by The Lawyer Africa, the World Trade Organization, and the African Excellence Awards for his contributions in the fields of commercial law, intellectual property, ESG, and renewable energy.  In February 2025, he was honoured to be invited to the prestigious WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of Intellectual Property Law and Policy in Geneva, Switzerland.. Paul Andrew Advocates, under his leadership, was named International Corporate Law Firm of the Year – Kenya by MEA Markets in 2024.

Dr. Kimani remains driven by a vision of legal practice that is globally connected, ethically grounded, and responsive to emerging realities. He is particularly passionate about building meaningful international collaborations and strengthening legal capacity in Africa—whether through advisory mandates, cross-border engagements, or mentoring the next generation of legal talent. With firm commitment to serving both clients and the broader legal community, Dr. Kimani continues to position Paul Andrew Advocates as a hub for thoughtful, impactful legal work in Africa and beyond. His story is one of steady leadership, evolving expertise, and a deep belief in law’s potential to transform societies.