Minchin & Kelly, stakeholders celebrate firm's move
Correspondent | Friday February 8, 2019 12:52
DLA Piper, which Minchin & Kelly is a member, was also represented by colleagues from Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe and Zambia who attended the event.
Though they have been at the new premises since end of July last year the firm decided to celebrate the move now when they moved the fixtures and fittings were not yet complete.
“We moved in when there was still some work to be completed but we were able to continue working and providing a normal service to our clients,” said Managing Partner, Terrence Dambe when welcoming guests.
Dambe further stated that the move marks another milestone in the long journey the firm has travelled since it was formed in Mafikeng in 1890. After independence, according to Dambe, the Botswana branch of Minchin & Kelly was opened at Tswana House in the Main Mall. “It then moved to what then was the tallest building in Botswana, Botsalano House (now known as Debswana House). The firm then moved to its premises on Khwai Road in the Main Mall, and resided there for over 30 years before moving to this building,” he further stated.
“The various moves to different premises over time is testimony to our desire to adapt to an ever-changing business climate.”
Minchin & Kelly was established by Spencer Augustus Minchin in Mafikeng, South Africa, then capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Reginald Kelly joined the firm in 1919 resulting in the firm adopting the name “Minchin & Kelly”. After independence in 1966, the firm opened an office in the new capital, Gaborone.
Since then it has been a key player in the legal landscape of Botswana with notable historic achievements such as registering the first title deed, advising the Colonial Government, participation in the law revision commission and registering the first private township in Botswana.
While happy with the new premises Dambe noted that ultimately, the quality of service, capabilities and well being of staff are critical to the success of the business.
“It was in this vain that seven years ago we took a decision to expand the capabilities of the firm by becoming part of the global international firm DLA Piper,” he revealed. Second ranked in the prestigious Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index, DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
With the significant resources from DLA Piper at their disposal such as specialist legal practitioners, knowledge management and training among others Dambe said they want to have lawyers that are of a standard and technical level as the best in the world.
“Our commitment to training and development is evidenced by some of initiatives we have taken to date.
Last year we sent one of our associates for a three month attachment at the DLA Piper offices in Johannesburg,” he said.
“We also extended training opportunities to in-house counsel of various organisations and clients by hosting a seminar on various aspects of law relevant to in-house counsel under the DLA Piper WIN programme.”
DLA Piper representative David Church congratulated the firm and said they were committed to their more than 5000 member lawyers and member firms.
He further stated that their long standing and deep commitment was demonstrated by development of substantial resources to help members.
The Chairman of DLA Piper James Kamau also congratulated Minchin & Kelly for the move and added that membership guaranteed access to the best international and local as well as growth of African firms.