Welcome to TLA

WHO WE ARE

Thomas Louis Advocates (TLA) is a top Nairobi-based commercial law firm delivering forward-thinking, tech-enabled legal solutions to clients across Kenya, East Africa, and global markets. Built on over 18 years of legal leadership, including senior executive roles at Visa East Africa and Safaricom PLC, the firm is trusted by some of the region’s most dynamic businesses, startups, and multinationals. We combine deep sectoral expertise in financial services, technology, real estate, and venture capital with a modern, proactive legal approach. Our legal solutions are designed not just to mitigate risk, but to unlock business value.
RECOGNITION & CREDENTIALS

We Have Been Recognised.

Over 17 years of legal leadership. Six industry recognitions. A track record built inside East Africa's most significant corporations.
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2018 Strathmore Law School Extractives Baraza “Round Table” Award.
Leader of the overall Best Team in a Petroleum Contract-Negotiation Simulation contest as part of Strathmore University’s Master of Laws (LL.M) Oil & Gas Law Program.
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2019 Safaricom Way Heroes Award.
Safaricom PLC CEO recognition for “Demonstrating simplicity in delivery of innovation” for Thomas Louis’ role advising the world’s first mobile-based overdraft facility ‘Fuliza’.
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2020 LSK Nairobi Young Lawyer of the Year (Nominee)
Nominated Law Society of Kenya Young Lawyer of the Year at the annual Nairobi Legal Awards.
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2020 Safaricom Way Heroes Award
Safaricom PLC CEO recognition for “Embodying the Spirit of Safaricom” for achieving positive regulatory posture vis a vis Financial Services regulators.
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2022 LSK Nairobi Corporate Lawyer of the Year (finalist)
Nominated as a finalist for the Law Society of Kenya (Nairobi) Corporate (in-house) Lawyer of the Year Award at the annual Nairobi Legal Awards.
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2025 LSK Top 50 In-House Counsel Private Sector
Overall Law Society of Kenya Honoree-Leading In-House Counsel & Top 50 Private Sector Category Counsel 2025 at the annual Nairobi Legal Awards.
Our Vision
To be a full-service commercial law firm serving the Innovation Economy in Africa
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.
THOMAS LOUIS ADVOCATES

Built on 18 Years of Legal Leadership

'08
Legal Trainee, Dentons HH&M
Joins Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, one of Africa's most globally ranked litigation and commercial practices, as a trainee Legal Clerk.
'16
Called to Bar
Associate Advocate. M&A, PE, Project Finance and PPP advisory.
'18
Safaricom PLC
Legal Counsel, M-PESA. 7 African countries. Advises Fuliza.
'22
Visa East Africa
Director & Head of Legal. 15 African markets.
'25
Founded TLA
Thomas Louis Advocates established, Nairobi, Kenya.
24/7 Contact Support
info@tladvocates.com

Do you have any queries please reach us

    REACH US DIRECTLY
    For Legal Solution
    +254 115 702 315
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    Get a Clear Path Forward
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