Millenium Business Park, Karen, Langata Rd, Nairobi

tlouis@tladvocates.com

   TRUSTED COUNSEL

   TRUSTED COUNSEL

About Us

COMPANY PROFILE
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WHO WE ARE

Thomas Louis Advocates (TLA) is a boutique commercial law firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, offering forward-thinking, tech-aligned legal solutions to businesses across East Africa and global markets. With a focus on innovation, compliance, and commercial growth, we support startups, fintechs, real estate developers, investors, and corporates navigating today’s complex business and regulatory environments.

Founded by Thomas Louis, a seasoned legal executive with over 17 years of experience including leadership roles at Safaricom PLC and Visa East Africa TLA delivers modern legal counsel grounded in industry insight and global standards.

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OUR SERVICE OFFERINGS

Corporate & Commercial Transactions

We build legal infrastructure for investors, accelerators, and African startups, enabling smooth due diligence and rapid deal cycles.

Fintech & Financial Regulation

Open banking, embedded finance, RegTech, crypto governance. We help clients align with regulators and launch future-ready platforms.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Private Equity

Regional M&A is accelerating. We offer insight-driven deal support tailored for the East African legal terrain.

Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Emerging Tech

We simplify data protection and cybersecurity compliance—guiding you through the process to ensure you're set up for success.

Intellectual Property Law

Protect your trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, confidential information and other intellectual property rights around the world.

Real Estate & Infrastructure

Our real estate law team helps clients secure assets, structure JVs, and manage risk

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PROFESSIONAL TIMELINE

2008

Legal Trainee at HH&M

Thomas Louis joins the law firm of Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews (then Hamilton Harrison & Mathews) as a trainee Legal Clerk.
2010

Lawyer-Dispute Resolution at HH&M

Thomas Louis starts hands on training as a lawyer under one of Africa's most respected and globally ranked Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Law offices at Dentons HH&M.
2014

Bar Finals, KSL

At his first attempt, Thomas Louis passes the bar exams (Advocates Training Program) at the Kenya School of Law.
2015

Legal Assistant at HH&M

Thomas Louis Secures a permanent contract of employment as a Legal Assistant in the Corporate Commercial and M&A Department at Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, Advocates, Nairobi.
2016

Associate Advocate at Dentons HH&M

Following admission to the bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Thomas Louis gets promoted to a fully qualified Associate Advocate and Fee Earner handling complex commercial deals including M&A, PE, Project Finance, Banking, Real Estate & Infrastructure Advisory including PPPs.
2018

Legal Leadership at Safaricom PLC & M-PESA Africa

Thomas Louis head hunted by Safaricom PLC to join the company's legal team as Legal Counsel (Manager) Financial Services, overseeing legal, regulatory and public policy operations within the company's fintech and mobile money division. He would later handle all legal work relating to M-PESA in 7 countries in Africa.
2019

Safaricom CEO's Award (Fuliza Innovation)

Thomas Louis receives Safaricom Way Heroes Award, 2019 for "demonstrating simplicity in delivery of innovation" for his role in advising the world's first mobile-based overdraft financial product-Fuliza M-PESA.
2020

Safaricom CEO's Award (Regulatory Engagement)

Thomas Louis receives the CEO's Spirit of Safaricom Heroes Award, 2020 for exceptional stakeholder coordination and for his diligent work engaging with the Central Bank of Kenya.
2022

Senior Leadership at Visa (CEMEA) East Africa

Thomas Louis appointed as Director & Head of Legal for Visa-Central Europe Middle East & Africa (CEMEA) to set up the legal and regulatory function in East Africa, Nairobi Hub. He oversaw legal and regulatory strategy across 15 African markets.
2022

Strathmore University Law School

Master of Laws (Oil & Gas Law Option).
2025

Formation of Thomas Louis Advocates (TLA)

After 17 years of combined experience, Thomas establishes TLA to serve innovation-driven businesses with strategic legal counsel.
2025

Our Vision

To be a full-service commercial law firm serving the Innovation Economy in Africa

PROFESSIONAL TIMELINE

2008

Legal Trainee at HH&M

Thomas Louis joins the law firm of Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews (then Hamilton Harrison & Mathews) as a trainee Legal Clerk.
2010

Lawyer-Dispute Resolution at HH&M

Thomas Louis starts hands on training as a lawyer under one of Africa's most respected and globally ranked Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Law offices at Dentons HH&M.
2014

Bar Finals, KSL

At his first attempt, Thomas Louis passes the bar exams (Advocates Training Program) at the Kenya School of Law.
2015

Legal Assistant at HH&M

Thomas Louis Secures a permanent contract of employment as a Legal Assistant in the Corporate Commercial and M&A Department at Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, Advocates, Nairobi.
2016

Associate Advocate at Dentons HH&M

Following admission to the bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Thomas Louis gets promoted to a fully qualified Associate Advocate and Fee Earner handling complex commercial deals including M&A, PE, Project Finance, Banking, Real Estate & Infrastructure Advisory including PPPs.
2018

Legal Leadership at Safaricom PLC & M-PESA Africa

Thomas Louis head hunted by Safaricom PLC to join the company's legal team as Legal Counsel (Manager) Financial Services, overseeing legal, regulatory and public policy operations within the company's fintech and mobile money division. He would later handle all legal work relating to M-PESA in 7 countries in Africa.
2019

Safaricom CEO's Award (Fuliza Innovation)

Thomas Louis receives Safaricom Way Heroes Award, 2019 for "demonstrating simplicity in delivery of innovation" for his role in advising the world's first mobile-based overdraft financial product-Fuliza M-PESA.
2020

Safaricom CEO's Award (Regulatory Engagement)

Thomas Louis receives the CEO's Spirit of Safaricom Heroes Award, 2020 for exceptional stakeholder coordination and for his diligent work engaging with the Central Bank of Kenya.
2022

Senior Leadership at Visa (CEMEA) East Africa

Thomas Louis appointed as Director & Head of Legal for Visa-Central Europe Middle East & Africa (CEMEA) to set up the legal and regulatory function in East Africa, Nairobi Hub. He oversaw legal and regulatory strategy across 15 African markets.
2022

Strathmore University Law School

Master of Laws (Oil & Gas Law Option).
2025

Formation of Thomas Louis Advocates (TLA)

After 17 years of combined experience, Thomas establishes TLA to serve innovation-driven businesses with strategic legal counsel.
2025

Our Vision

To be a full-service commercial law firm serving the Innovation Economy in Africa

ORGANISATIONS WE WORK WITH

Businesses Shaping Tomorrow

Including venture-backed startups, founders, and technology entrepreneurs seeking agile and compliant legal structures for growth and scaling.

Mobile money operators, payment service providers (PSPs), neobanks, digital lenders, and crypto/blockchain innovators needing regulatory clarity, licensing support, and compliance frameworks.

Commercial and residential developers, real estate funds, construction firms, and landowners navigating land transactions, joint ventures, titling, zoning, and infrastructure projects.

Local and international investors seeking secure, deal-ready legal support in structuring, negotiating, and closing investments in African startups and businesses.

Companies expanding into East Africa, especially in the technology, energy, logistics, and financial services sectors, looking for a reliable legal partner.

NGOs, social enterprises, and development partners who align with sustainability, digital access, and innovation under the SDG framework.

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Get In Touch

Working with clients on their most critical challenges often results in new industry perspectives and insights.

CALL US NOW

+254 115 702 315

SEND MAIL

tlouis@tladvocates.com

Thomas Louis

SATISFIED CLIENT STORIES

"Thomas Louis Advocates (TLA)is an embodiment of what the modern day investor, shareholder or executive genuinely needs when navigating a market as dynamic, innovative and exciting as East Africa. TLA is our trusted Legal businness partner. "

Confidential client

Thomas Louis LL.B, LL.M.

Founding Partner

MAIL: tlouis@tladvocates.com

TEL: +254115702315

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