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ALS: EALS101
How To Grow Your Firm

How To Grow Your Firm
Enrollment in this course is by invitation only

Enrollment in this course is by invitation only

Course Overview


Starting your own law firm can be a daunting process. Developing a strategic mission and vision that suits the firm’s context, skill set and client needs from the very early stages is crucial to ensure that the firm develops as quickly as possible. Translating that vision into practice requires the firm’s leaders to understand their business model and operational needs, and to effectively market the firm so that it grows its client base.

Each firm and its strategic and operational context is different. Growth strategies that have proved successful for one firm may not be suitable for another, and operational requirements will be unique to each firm’s skill set and capacities.

Through an immersive real-world case study, this course will introduce you to the strategic planning tools, operational considerations and marketing approaches that you can rely upon to unlock the growth potential of your firm. You will be provided with a number of practical how to guides, top tips and downloadable tools that you can use in practice to:

  • Define your firm’s mission, vision and business strategy;
  • Review how to implement your strategy and enhance efficiencies in your firm’s operations; and
  • Identify how a properly defined marketing strategy and personal brand can enhance your firm’s reputation and growth.

Is this course for you?

Strategic thinking and operational management are skills that are critical for lawyers of any experience level growing their firm. Junior lawyers will gain a valuable skill that will assist them in growing their own practice, thereby adding benefit to their firms, while more experienced lawyers can apply the learning to enhance their current approach to strategic planning and growing their business.

The strategic tools and templates that are provided will not replace engagement with strategic consultancies, but will allow any lawyer to be confident in starting their own firm and growing it from the ground up.

Although the course is relevant for lawyers and legal professionals at any level looking to grow their firm and enhance the firm’s standing and reputation in the market, the tools, templates, methodologies and case studies are focused on the needs of emerging law firms.

EALS Members are entitled to a discount on this course. To get your discount code, please email info@ealawsociety.org

Course Contributors

James Kamau

Chair, DLA Piper Africa
Managing Partner, IKM

James Kamau is a leading corporate and projects lawyer in Kenya with over 27 years post-admission experience. His main areas of practice include finance, private equity, mergers & acquisitions, energy, infrastructure and public-private partnerships (PPP).

James has handled numerous complex transactions and is the trusted legal adviser of leading local and multinational companies, private equity firms and development finance institutions with extensive business and investments in Africa.

His clients include private equity firms, investment and commercial banks, leading corporates, project developers and sponsors, DFIs, government, parastatals and high net worth individuals.

This course has been developed by the East Africa Law Society Institute in collaboration with the Africa Legal Learn Team


The East Africa Law Society (EALS) is the apex regional bar association of East Africa, and was founded in 1995 by a group of lawyers with the support of the leadership of the national bar associations of the member states.

EALS membership encompasses over 28 000 lawyers drawn from all the national bars in the East African Community – the Law Society of Kenya, Tanganyika Law Society, Uganda Law Society, Zanzibar Law Society, Rwanda Bar Association, Burundi Bar Association and the South Sudan Bar Association. The membership is both institutional as well as individual.

To learn more about the East Africa Law Society, please visit the homepage here.

The EALS Institute is an initiative of the East Africa Law Society to promote the profession and build the capacity of lawyers in the region through training. The EALS Institute provides world-class training in key areas of practice, governance and other key sectors to spur integration and development. The trainings are conducted by way of partnership with world leading institutions for collaborative trainings and accreditation. The Institute also serves as the research arm of East Africa Law Society and is a respectable source of information on governance, rule of law, EAC integration, constitutionalism, human rights among others.

To learn more about the EALS Institute, please visit the homepage here.

This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Standards Office, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, professional bodies. The course carries 2.5 points.

This course is certified by the Rwanda Bar Association, and carries 10 credit hours of CPD and 2 CLE points.

This course is certified by the Uganda Law Society, and carries 2 CLE points.

This course includes:

  • One hour of learning with resources for additional study;
  • Discussion forums where you can meet colleagues from around the continent and the East Africa region;
  • Opportunities to apply your learning through real-world case studies and scenarios;
  • The option to save data – switch off the video and download or read the transcript;
  • Points towards continuous professional development;
  • Completion certificate and CDP accreditation certificate; and
  • The ability to access this self-paced course wherever and whenever it suits you.

    • Frequently Asked Questions:


    What web browser should I use?

    The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or with Internet Explorer version 9 and above.
    See our list of supported browsers for the most up-to-date information.

    Who should take this course? 

    This course is aimed at law students, graduates and junior lawyers in Africa.

    How long will it take me to complete the course?

    The course should take you about one hour, not including optional activities, discussions and extra reading materials. Once you are enrolled in the course, you can work through the content at your own pace. Feel free to access any part of the content at any time.

    How do I access the course?

    You need to purchase a seat on the course. To do this please sign in to Africa Legal. If you don’t yet have an account with Africa Legal follow the steps to sign up and then press the enrol button.

    EALS Members are entitled to a discount on this course. To get your discount code, please email info@ealawsociety.org

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    Is your employer paying for the course?
    Get in touch with our corporate team by emailing sales@africa-legal.com

    Enrollment in this course is by invitation only