About Us
About Us
OPT-LAW is one of the fastest rising law firms in Rwanda and the region. The breadth and depth of experience offered by its professionals, has kept the firm at the forefront of changes in the global financial market and the international business environment.
The firm seeks to enhance intra-regional cooperation and cross border investments. Based in Kigali -Rwanda, it has affiliates all over East and Central Africa and aims to provide comprehensive legal advisory services to its clients in Rwanda, the region, continent and around the world.
OPT-LAW specializes in providing legal services relating to foreign direct investments and has extensive experience of assisting national, regional and other foreign clients in establishing subsidiaries, joint ventures, branches and liaison offices in Rwanda (East-Africa).
The firm has also represented both foreign and domestic clients in cross-border M&A transactions and hostile takeovers in Rwanda.
It provides the full range of corporate services, including legal advice relating to issues of fair trade, monopoly and labour, and has extensive experience in the areas of broadcasting; information and telecommunications; energy and environment; real estate and construction; IT; WTO and international trade; customs; government contracts; and general commercial trade. The firm is noted for its creativity in finding solutions to the issues facing its clients.
The firm is a leading name in cross-border M&A, the firm acts for clients from a wide range of sectors, including banking, manufacturing, energy, biotechnology, retail, real estate and Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT). It advises on regulatory matters, business practices and other industry-specific issues.
The team has expertise in private equity transactions, shareholder activism, corporate governance and corporate disputes.
Vision
Opt Law aims to be a point of reference for law firms in Rwanda and the East and Central Africa region, delivering excellent, reliable legal services and assistance tailored to its clients’ requirements within every area of practice.
Mission
At Opt Law, we strive for law practice excellence, by consistently delivering highly skilled, ethical and committed legal representation to our clients.
Values
The firm’s principal values are integrity, confidentiality, keeping commitments that we have made, valuing and respecting our clients, and ensuring the successful completion of any undertakings and instructions on behalf of our clients.
Our Team
Arnold KALLAGI
Kallagi Arnold is a member of the Senior Roll of the Rwanda Bar Association and the East Africa Law Society. He is routinely engaged in IP and company registrations, real estate transaction, legal research, due diligence on companies, reviews of commercial and operational agreements, preparation of legal opinions, winding of local and foreign companies and provides support on private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings across sectors including energy, mining, insurance, communications, gaming and betting.
Me Samuel TUYISENGE
Me Samuel is the Head of Litigation Team at OPT-Law. Before joining OPT-Law, he was a Senior Associate at one of the leading law firms for 4 years. He is an experienced litigation lawyer and has been in the practice of legal advisory and representation to numerous clients before courts of law, administrative authorities and arbitration. He is also a devoted lawyer with unrivaled legal drafting skills, legal analysis, interpreting and reviewing legal related matters. Me Samuel is an enthusiastic legal researcher and author of different legal articles which are available online. At OPT-Law, he manages most of the litigation works but also engage in conducting research and advise on complex issues including but not limited to incorporation of foreign companies and establishments of investments in Rwanda with a particular notch in advisory services on complex financial matters, tax, procurement and trade issues.
Associates
Chera M MUGWANEZA
Chera is an associate at OPT-Law Advocates and an outstanding law graduate who completed her LLB with honors. Currently pursuing a Diploma in Legal Practice, she is passionate about legal research, commercial litigation, arbitration law, and criminal law. Fluent in Kinyarwanda, English, and French, she excels in communicating complex legal concepts across diverse audiences. Her academic excellence and deep understanding of legal principles allow her to provide insightful legal strategies and contribute meaningfully to complex legal matters.
IRAKOZE Ornella Chelssy
Chelssy is an LLB candidate and an outstanding student fluent in English, French and Kinyarwanda, pursuing law in the University of Rwanda, she is currently the law school representative as well as the chair of the board of representatives in the University of Rwanda Law Students Association (UR-ALSA). She is a junior associate at OPT-LAW, she completed the legal clinic course which is situated with legal drafting and advisory. She has a passion in arbitration, family law and commercial related matters not to mention any other related legal occupation with a strong interest in investigation and research field.
KAGISHA Berthe
Berthe is an Associate at OPT-LAW ADVOCATES, Berthe brings on board top notch experience in handling legal related matters, especially in commercial transactions, commercial and criminal litigation, as well as advanced legal research. Berthe also uses her experience to advise and assist with office administration and day to day activities.
Affiliates
Sharon Adhiambo OYOKO
Sharon has experience in civil and criminal litigation, Conveyancing drafting, commercial matters and Family law. She is well versed with preparation of agreements, leases, Incorporation of companies and societies. She has been engaged by two NGOs that is KELIN and KASH to assist with pro bono matters, facilitate trainings and offer legal advice to members of the public during legal aid clinics. Prior to her admission to the Bar, she worked with FIDA -Kenya. She has had an exposure to family law and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Marc MUDAHEMUKA
Marc Mudahemuka is a dynamic and solution-oriented problem solver with over a decade of working experience in legal, IT, sales and marketing sectors in East Africa and Germany. With a main interest in corporate and commercial management as well as HR matters . His legal expertise focuses mainly on corporate law and commercial transactions including but not limited to legal research and due diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions, project financing, advising telecoms, financial and corporate & projects financing and collateral registration; company incorporation, governance and restructuring. He also handles matters relating to contracts, labor/employment law, intellectual property and offers general legal advice.He has supervised several projects in the past and is an excellent communicator.
Mr Theogene TURAHIRWA
Mr. Theogene TURAHIRWA holds a Bachelor of Laws degree(LLB) from Hope Africa University Bujumbura in 2013 and Master of Laws (LLM) from Kigali Independent University (ongoing); Certificate of Master class Turnaround Management from Turnaround Powerhouse(Netherlands) in Partnership with Rwanda Development Board; Certificate of Trade support development with International Trade Center (ITC) Geneva, Switzerland; Certificate of Trade advocacy with International Trade Center (ITC) Geneva, Switzerland; He is the Partner of OPT-LAW.