Hope Wangechi

Seasoned legal and governance professional with over a decade of experience in corporate law, insurance, risk management and compliance. Proven ability to advise senior leadership and boards on strategic risk, regulatory frameworks, and governance policies. Skilled in fostering stakeholder trust, ensuring ethical standards, and guiding organizations through complex legal and operational landscapes

Group Legal Manager, Insurance - Equity Group Holdings PLC

(2024-08)

• Spearhead development and implementation of legal policies across insurance subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with corporate governance best practices.
• Lead engagements with the various regulators on licensing, compliance audits, and strategic regulatory positioning.
• Direct legal strategy for risk mitigation, dispute resolution, and litigation management to safeguard organizational reputation and optimize costs.
• Prepare and present legal opinions and compliance updates to executive management and Risk Committees, influencing strategic decisions.
• Oversee drafting and review of internal policies, bylaws, and operational frameworks to strengthen governance and compliance.
• Act as primary liaison with regulators, external counsel, and key stakeholders to maintain trust and transparency.
• Anticipate emerging legal and regulatory risks, providing proactive recommendations for organizational resilience.
• Manage and safeguard the organization’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Negotiate, draft, and review complex legal contracts, including policy documents, to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
• Ensure accurate statutory filings and maintain systemized legal records for compliance and governance integrity.

Manager, Legal Claims - Britam General Insurance Co. Ltd

(2017-09 - 2024-06)

• Delivered presentations and advisory reports to the Board and Risk Committee on legal risk mitigation strategies and compliance matters.
• Supported executive management committees with legal insights, policy interpretation, and strategic recommendations.
• Drafted, reviewed, and analyzed contracts and internal policies to ensure compliance and alignment with corporate governance standards.
• Directed case management to optimize efficiency and reduce litigation costs; advised on judgments and appeal viability.
• Negotiated settlements to minimize liability and pursued recoveries from third parties, safeguarding company interests.
• Liaised with external advocates, regulators, and internal business units to address regulatory and operational matters.
• Reviewed professional invoices for accuracy and compliance with SLAs, ensuring cost control and accountability.
• Interpreted laws and regulations related to financial transactions, advising management on policy and procedural adjustments.
• Managed statutory documentation, notarization, and compliance reporting; provided legal research and advisory for complex claims.

Legal Assistant - UAP- Old Mutual Group

(2014-10 - 2017-09)

• Assisted in drafting and reviewing contracts and internal policies to ensure compliance with regulatory and governance standards.
• Supported legal risk mitigation by analyzing claim reserves, facilitating arbitration cases, and advising on settlement strategies.
• Coordinated with external advocates, investigators, and medical professionals to uphold service standards and protect company interests.
• Monitored performance of legal service providers and ensured adherence to customer service charters and compliance frameworks.
• Conducted legal research and provided guidance on insurance law and operational compliance for business units.
• Delivered client training sessions on claims processes and policy compliance, reinforcing transparency and governance principles.

Legal Assistant - ICEALION GENERAL LTD

(2013-08 - 2014-10)

• Monitoring progress made by our external advocates on a regular basis.
• Interpret insurance policies and contracts, establish and adjust/update reserves in accordance with company policies and guidelines.
• Registration of new claims upon verification of the relevant policy cover.
• Negotiating for the most favorable quantum through our advocates, or in-house in accordance with the guidelines in the “Quantum of Damages”.
• Monitoring the advocates’ fees to ensure they are within the Advocates Remuneration order
• Pursuing all recoveries from Third Parties.
• Maintaining a record of all such claims and monitoring the progress.
• Appointment of doctors, investigators and instruction to Advocates.
• Handling of correspondence in accordance with the mail procedure.
• Processing of payments.
• Attending court hearings as and when required.
• Preparing the weekly, monthly and other reports for the Section.

Lawyer - Maina Rogoi & Company Advocates

(2012 - 2012)

• Involved in cases of litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations.
• Audio typing legal documents for private clients.
• Conveyance, preparing charges, transfers, leases and all matters pertaining to land transactions
• Monitoring and staying abreast of legal issues and changes in the law
• Handles Civil, Probate, Matrimonial disputes and Commercial transactions matters
• Drafting court documents such as petitions, affidavits, plaints, notices, legal opinions, citations, memorandums, and all pleadings
• Court attendance and litigation
• Managing and forwarding on requests from Clients for legal assistance.
• Reviewing and analyzing large volumes of documentary evidence.
• Filing and administrative responsibilities.
• Assisting with the completion of Agreements.
• Coordinating and arranging meetings and diary schedules.
• Preparing legal opinions, correspondences, fee notes, reports

Legal Intern - CPF Financial Services, formerly known as (LAP Trust)

(2009 - 2011)

• Drafted court documents and investigation of customers’ claim as to fraud
• Investigated and served demand notices to corporation Debtors
• Maintained a court diary
• Maintained and updated computerized database of all cases(files) to ensure records were accurate and available to external lawyers
• Updated corporation Secretary/legal officer on new laws passed
• Drafting correspondence

Clinical Attachment - Nakuru Law Courts-Judiciary

(2007-10 - 2008-12)

Legal Intern - Kenya National Assurance (2001) Limited

(2006-04 - 2006-12)

Untrained Teacher - Bahati Oasis Academy

(2004 - 2005)

Postgraduate Diploma in Law - Law - Kenya School of Law (2013)

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Second Class Honors - Law - University of Nairobi (2005 - 2010)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - Bahati Girls Secondary School (2000 - 2003)

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) - Kamuka Boarding Primary School (1991 - 1999)