David Wasonga
Law & Banking
Dar Es Salaam,Dar es Salaam
Summary
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Counsel
Akiba Commercial Bank Plc
06.2016 - Current
- Provided legal advice on all legal matters of Bank ranging from Legal, Company Secretarial works and Corporate Governance
- Advised the Board of Directors (i.e., Risk & Compliance Committee, Board Governance Committee and Board Credit Committee) on various matters such as corporate governance, risk & compliance, interpretation of various laws, policies and regulations and credit risk
- Managed/Monitored Legal and Regulatory risk control frameworks and processes as per Bank's policies
- Engaged with Bank's key stake holders i.e., shareholders in various matters affecting their interests
- Managed and supervised 5 sections at legal department i.e., secretarial, litigation, corporate contracts and conveyancing
- Achieved favorable outcomes in cases by conducting thorough research and preparing persuasive legal arguments.
- Streamlined contract review process, resulting in reduced turnaround times and increased efficiency.
- Provided expert legal advice on complex matters for informed decision-making and risk mitigation.
- Negotiated advantageous settlement agreements, avoiding costly litigation and preserving important business relationships.
- Developed comprehensive compliance programs to minimize potential legal risks and ensure adherence to relevant regulations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address legal considerations during product development processes.
- Managed 8 outside counsel effectively, controlling costs while ensuring high-quality representation in specialized areas of law.
- Trained approximately 50 company employees on key legal issues, enhancing awareness of potential risks and fostering culture of compliance.
- Prepared and managed secretarial works such as submission of statutory returns to relevant authorities, custodianship of company's seal register and preparing all briefs to management and Board of Directors
- Advised Bank in all legal related matters i.e., labour/employment matters, corporate governance, securities perfection and interpretation of various policies
- Assisted in M&A activities by conducting due diligence investigations, identifying potential liabilities, and aiding in deal negotiations.
- Advised senior management on employment law matters to reduce potential for disputes and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
- Participated in 2 policy discussions to help shape legislative proposals affecting company''s industry from legal perspective.
- Implemented effective dispute resolution strategies that resolved conflicts efficiently while minimizing financial exposure for organization.
- Conducted internal investigations into alleged misconduct or violations of company policies, ensuring appropriate corrective action was taken when necessary.
- Served as liaison between organization and regulatory agencies during audits or inquiries regarding compliance matters.
- Coordinated efforts among legal team members to ensure consistent and collaborative approach to handling company-wide legal issues.
- Supported development of corporate governance policies and best practices, contributing to strong culture of ethical conduct and accountability.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Researched and evaluated risk factors affecting business decisions and operations, applied effective risk management techniques and offered proactive advice on possible legal issues.
- Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Negotiated more than 10 settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs.
- Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
- Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
Legal Officer
Mkombozi Commercial Bank Plc
11.2013 - 06.2016
- Acted as assistant secretary to Board of Directors and Bank's management
- Effectively prepared briefs for management and Board of Directors
- Prepared minutes of Board
- Advised the bank on various legal matters ranging from banking, labour & Human resources, risk & compliance and credit
- Represented Bank before courts of law and liaising with 5 bank's external lawyers
- Prepared and processed all legal documents in respect with credit facilities
- Perfected bank's securities with relevant authorities such as BRELA and Land Registry
- Prepared and submitted all statutory returns of bank to relevant authorities
- Drafted different transactional legal documents.
- Reduced company liability by implementing effective risk management strategies and policies.
- Streamlined contract review process, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced turnaround time.
- Negotiated favorable settlements in multiple litigation cases, minimizing financial exposure for company.
- Drafted and reviewed wide range of legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Created customized training programs for employees on relevant legal topics, fostering culture of compliance within organization.
- Provided strategic guidance during high-stakes negotiations, contributing to successful outcomes for company.
- Assisted in development of corporate policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and best practices.
- Advised executive leadership on regulatory changes impacting business operations, enabling proactive adjustments to maintain compliance.
- Efficiently managed outside counsel relationships, controlling costs while ensuring access to specialized expertise when needed.
- Supported human resources department by addressing employment law matters such as discrimination claims and employee relations issues.
- Participated actively in corporate governance activities such as board meetings and annual shareholder events, offering sound legal perspectives on critical business decisions.
- Served as key resource within organization for ethics matters by developing guidelines aimed at promoting ethical conduct among employees.
- Coordinated responses to government inquiries or investigations involving company's operations or personnel while diligently protecting company interests.
- Managed diverse caseload effectively by prioritizing tasks, balancing workload, and consistently meeting deadlines.
- Typed and processed legal documents to prepare for court filings and legal pleadings.
- Managed and supervised document database to maintain litigation records.
- Reviewed legal publications and performed database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action.
- Developed comprehensive corporate leadership strategy and trained executives, upper management and legal department on adherence to strategy.
- Kept up with and reviewed changes in laws, informed staff of changes and advised appropriate departments on actions to prevent legal issues.
Legal Officer and Company Secretary
Efatha Bank Limited
12.2012 - 11.2013
- Effectively coordinated Board's activities with management
- Provided strategic guidance during high-stakes negotiations, contributing to successful outcomes for company.
- Streamlined more than 3 contract review process, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced turnaround time.
- Negotiated about 15 favorable settlements in multiple litigation cases, minimizing financial exposure for company.
- Assisted in development of corporate policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and best practices.
- Efficiently managed 8 outside counsel relationships, controlling costs while ensuring access to specialized expertise when needed.
- Supported human resources department by addressing employment law matters such as discrimination claims and employee relations issues.
- Coordinated responses to government inquiries or investigations involving company's operations or personnel while diligently protecting company interests.
- Managed and supervised document database to maintain litigation records.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action.
- Acted as secretary to Board of Directors
- Advised Bank on corporate governance matters
- Prepared and submitted all statutory returns of bank under Companies Act
- Drafted different transactional legal documents
- Executed and registered all legal documents with relevant authorities
- Provided legal opinion for and on behalf of Bank
- Represented Bank in courts of law
- Reviewed, prepared and processed all legal documentations in respect of approved credit facilities
- Initiated legal briefs for Management and Board of Directors and interpreted laws and regulations in relation to Bank's legal rights and obligations.
Associate
Maleta & Ndumbaro Advocates
11.2009 - 12.2012
- Advised more than 20 clients (both individual and corporations) on various disputes
- Represented more than 15 corporate clients in various legal disputes
- Researched on over 15 clients' assignments (mostly corporations)
- Prepared different transactional documents
- Reviewed about 30 contracts of clients (employers) with their employees and drafted employment contracts
- Advised more than 30 clients on various complaints arising at their work places
- Represented clients (employers) in disputes with their employees
- Advised clients on compliance matters regarding employer-employee relationship
- Conducted over 15 mediation sessions between clients (employers) with their employees.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practices - Law
Law School of Tanzania
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania01.2011
Bachelor's Degree in Laws (LL.B) - Law
Tumaini University Dar Es Salaam College
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania10.2009
Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education -
Makongo High School
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania05.2004
Certificate of Secondary Education -
St Francis De Sales Junior Seminary & Makongo High School
Morogoro, Tanzania & Dar Es Salaam Tanzania11.2002
Skills
- Corporate Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Civil Litigation
- Negotiation
- Corporate Governance
- Legal Research
- Litigation Management
- Problem Solving
Certification
Certified Board Secretary (Institute of Directors of Tanzania-IoDT)
Languages
English
Kiswahili
Professional Summary Statement
As a Legal Counsel at Akiba Commercial Bank, I am a key player in ensuring the bank's compliance, risk management, and governance standards leveraging my 10+ years' legal background and expertise to provide sound advice, representation, and documentation for the bank's operations, transactions, and litigation. I am passionate about delivering best corporate legal practice for best business results where I have been able to demonstrate my skills and achievements in areas such as legal compliance, company secretarial work, and employment/labour law.
Demonstrated Skills And Abilities In Corporate Practice
- Good communication Skills
- Leadership skills
- Strategic planning skills
- Negotiation skills
- Managing Skills
Membership To Organizations
- East Africa Law Society (EALS), 2012, Present
- In-House Counsel Committee Member for EALS, 03/2023, Present
- Tanganyika Law Society, 2012, Present
- TLS Young Lawyers Committee, 2018, Present
Academic Awards And Seminars Attended
- Certified Board Secretary- the Institute of Directors in Tanzania (IoDT)
- Awarded a certificate of attendance in attending the In-House Legal Counsel Conference for Innovative Strategies leading to the breakaway from traditional In-House Counsel (Kenya Law Society in Nairobi)
- Awarded a certificate of attendance in attending a training on Labour Disputes resolution [Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA)]
- Awarded a certificate of attendance in attending Labour Laws training (Sparrow Training Solution)
- Awarded a certificate of attendance in drafting commercial agreements (Tanganyika Law Society)
- Awarded a Certificate of attendance on workshop on tendering and evaluation proceedings (BMW Promotions and Consult)
Certificates Of Appreciation
- Awarded a Certificate of appreciation in recognition for participating in the UN Student Video Conference on Human Rights by the United Nations (Ashburn Institute)
- Awarded a Certificate of appreciation in recognition of valuable contribution to a Debate Competition on Corruption for Dar Es Salaam Secondary Schools [Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB)]
- Awarded a Certificate in good leadership (Tumaini University Dar Es Salaam College)
- Awarded a Certificate of appreciation in good leadership [Makongo Tegeta Mbezi Charity (MTMC)]
- Awarded a Certificate of appreciation as an active volunteer of the Tanzanian Young Catholic Students.
Work Status
Employed
Occupation
Lawyer/Advocate
Professional Development
Certified Board Secretary- Institute of Directors in Tanzania (IoDT)
Personal Information
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Tanzanian
Extracurricular Activities
Listening to western classical music Writing and composing sacred music
Disclaimer
I, David Benjamin Wasonga, certify that this profile contains true information to the best of my knowledge and that any changes shall be communicated to whoever concerned with this profile.
Timeline
Legal Counsel
Akiba Commercial Bank Plc
06.2016 - Current
Legal Officer
Mkombozi Commercial Bank Plc
11.2013 - 06.2016
Legal Officer and Company Secretary
Efatha Bank Limited
12.2012 - 11.2013
Associate
Maleta & Ndumbaro Advocates
11.2009 - 12.2012
Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practices - Law
Law School of Tanzania
Bachelor's Degree in Laws (LL.B) - Law
Tumaini University Dar Es Salaam College
Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education -
Makongo High School
Certificate of Secondary Education -
St Francis De Sales Junior Seminary & Makongo High School
Certified Board Secretary (Institute of Directors of Tanzania-IoDT)
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