Walter Kontos is regularly cited as having one of the best profiles for real estate and financing work. "It has done very well, a very good firm, clients are very happy, Michael Kontos is one that I can recommend for finance and corporate in Kenya," says a global client....
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Walter Kontos is regularly cited as having one of the best profiles for real estate and financing work. "It has done very well, a very good firm, clients are very happy, Michael Kontos is one that I can recommend for finance and corporate in Kenya," says a global client.
"What is very pleasant about them is that they are very reliable and they are used by large multinational companies and foreign banks," says one client. "They have been our company lawyers for many years," says another, "they are quite efficient, their reputation as lawyers and a firm is first class". The issue of turnaround speed was briefly raised: "some people think they are a bit slow… but they need to protect their quality and reputation. They are not slow".
In 2010/2011 the firm grew its partnership from five to eight, with one of the three promotions in corporate finance.
In September 2010 Michael Kontos, Peter Mwangi and Rahma Karanja advised the Housing Finance Company of Kenya on a bond issue for up to $107 million, one of the largest private sector bonds listed in Kenya.
Kontos was working with Amar Karanja as local counsels for the African Development Bank (ADB), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Absa Capital on three project financings, each of about $80 million, for three energy projects for Thika Power Company, Gulf Power and Triumph Power Generating Company.
Alexandra Kontos also acted for Real Insurance Company on an $8 million corporate restructuring and share transfer to Royal Ngao Holdings, and advised Bank of Africa Kenya (as part of Bank of Africa West Africa) on a $23 million proposed acquisition of Amalgamated Bank, Ghana.
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