Shem Otanga

Shem is a market leading African intellectual property lawyer based in Kenya. His practice encompasses both a contentious and non-contentious IP mandates within the spectrum of trade marks, patents, industrial designs and copyright.

He started his legal career at the Kenyan office of a leading international law firm in 2008. He then joined another top tier regional corporate law firm in Nairobi in 2016 before joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's Kenya office (then Kieti Advocates) as a partner in 2020.

Shem worked as a seconded lawyer at Mayer Brown International LLP (UK) and Brick Court Chambers in 2018 as part of the International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) Flagship Program. He has also served on various committees of the International Trademarks Association and the Law Society of Kenya.

He is ranked as a leading IP lawyer by Chambers Global, World Trademark Review's WTR 1000 and Managing IP's, IP Stars Rankings.

Year joined firm: 2020

• Shem advised JCG Holdings Ltd, a multi-national conglomerate with interests in oil and gas, wildlife conservancy, retail, finance, real estate and fast moving consumer goods, in relation to the prosecution of its trade marks in more than 30 jurisdictions across the world.
• Shem acts for the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in the defence of its BASMATI geographical indication in Kenya and is prosecuting various trade mark opposition cases on its behalf.
• Shem acts for M-KOPA Group in the prosecution of its trade marks across sub Saharan Africa and also advises on its broader IP transactional work.
• Shem acts for Sony Music in relation to its music publishing and distribution within the East African region.

• Bachelors Degree in Law, University of Nairobi, 2008

• International Trade Marks Association, 2016

• Law Society of Kenya, 2010