Shem Otanga

Partner

Shem Otanga is a Partner in our Technology, Media & Telecommunications sector. Shem specialises in intellectual property and data protection.

Shem Otanga

About Shem

About Shem

Shem started his legal career as Trainee Lawyer at a leading international law firm in Kenya and was appointed as an Associate in 2010. He then joined another top tier regional corporate law firm as Principal Associate in 2016 and was appointed as a Senior Associate in 2017. Shem also 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). In 2020 Shem joined Kieti Advocates LLP as a Partner.

Credentials

Credentials

Education

  • Advanced Certification in Patents, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Academy, Geneva
  • Advanced Certification in Intellectual Property Law, WIPO Academy, Geneva
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Kenya School of Law & Kenyan Bar Admission
  • LL.B, Bachelor of Laws (2nd Class Honours, Upper), University of Nairobi, Kenya

Memberships 

  • Co-chair of the International Trademark Association's Global Advisory Council for Africa (AGAC) (2022-2023)

  • International Trademark Association's Data Protection Committee 

  • International Association of Privacy Practitioners (IAPP)

  • Law Society of Kenya

  • Member, Famous and Well Known Marks Committee, International Trade Marks Association, (INTA), (January 2018 to – 2022).

  • Council Member, Africa Global Advisory Council (GAC), International Trade Marks Association, (INTA), (February 2021 to – 2022).

  • Member, IP & ICT Law Committee, Law Society of Kenya (LSK – Nairobi Chapter) (May 2017 to 2019).

  • Member, IP & ICT Law Committee, Law Society of Kenya, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) (May 2012 – January 2014).

Languages

Languages

  • English
  • Swahili

About Shem

Shem started his legal career as Trainee Lawyer at a leading international law firm in Kenya and was appointed as an Associate in 2010. He then joined another top tier regional corporate law firm as Principal Associate in 2016 and was appointed as a Senior Associate in 2017. Shem also 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). In 2020 Shem joined Kieti Advocates LLP as a Partner.

Credentials

Education

  • Advanced Certification in Patents, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Academy, Geneva
  • Advanced Certification in Intellectual Property Law, WIPO Academy, Geneva
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Kenya School of Law & Kenyan Bar Admission
  • LL.B, Bachelor of Laws (2nd Class Honours, Upper), University of Nairobi, Kenya

Memberships 

  • Co-chair of the International Trademark Association's Global Advisory Council for Africa (AGAC) (2022-2023)

  • International Trademark Association's Data Protection Committee 

  • International Association of Privacy Practitioners (IAPP)

  • Law Society of Kenya

  • Member, Famous and Well Known Marks Committee, International Trade Marks Association, (INTA), (January 2018 to – 2022).

  • Council Member, Africa Global Advisory Council (GAC), International Trade Marks Association, (INTA), (February 2021 to – 2022).

  • Member, IP & ICT Law Committee, Law Society of Kenya (LSK – Nairobi Chapter) (May 2017 to 2019).

  • Member, IP & ICT Law Committee, Law Society of Kenya, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) (May 2012 – January 2014).

Languages

  • English
  • Swahili

News

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2024 ranked Shem Otanga in Band 2 for intellectual property.
  • Chambers Global 2021–2023 ranked Shem as “Up & Coming” intellectual property lawyer. From 2019–2021 he was ranked as “Lawyer to watch” for intellectual property.
  • World Trademark Review 1000 2024 (Kenya) ranked Shem in the bronze category.
  • World Trademark Review 1000 2018–2020 (Kenya) ranked Shem as a recommended Individual.
  • Managing IP's IP Stars (2024) ranked Shem as a Notable Practitioner.

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2024 ranked Shem Otanga in Band 2 for intellectual property.
  • Chambers Global 2021–2023 ranked Shem as “Up & Coming” intellectual property lawyer. From 2019–2021 he was ranked as “Lawyer to watch” for intellectual property.
  • World Trademark Review 1000 2024 (Kenya) ranked Shem in the bronze category.
  • World Trademark Review 1000 2018–2020 (Kenya) ranked Shem as a recommended Individual.
  • Managing IP's IP Stars (2024) ranked Shem as a Notable Practitioner.