IAWL Launches the Women’s Excellence in Law and Leadership Academy (WELLA) in Nairobi, Kenya

On August 7, 2025, in a room filled with 130 lawyers, judges, magistrates, and law students, the Institute for African Women in Law hosted its first in-person Women’s Excellence in Law and Leadership Academy (WELLA) at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The training program focused on International Commercial and Investment Arbitration: Leading in an Age of Wellness, was led by global arbitration practitioners Prof. Kariuki Muigua from Kenya, Prof. Won Kidane from the US/Ethiopia, a four-member team from Clifford Chance, Sam Brown, Anna Kirkpatrick, Tosin Murana, Alexis Foucard, and Charline Yim, a partner from Gibson Dunn, New York.

From left to right: Tosin Murana, Prof. Kariuki Muigua, Anna Kirkpatrick, Sam Brown, Charline Yim, Alexis Foucard, Prof. Won Kidane

Through innovative training programmes, the Women’s Excellence in Law and Leadership Academy (WELLA) enhanced the potential of participants and created opportunities for them to nurture their leadership, guided by world-renowned faculty and industry experts. The training event blended technical excellence with a focus on leadership and holistic well-being.

Prof. J. Jarpa Dawuni

Opening remarks from Prof. J. Jarpa Dawuni, Executive Director of IAWL, set the tone for the day, while the welcome remarks from Ms. Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), invited participants to pay attention to their professional development. In a powerful plenary session featuring Former Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga, Justice Monica K. Mugenyi, and moderated by Pamella Ager, attendees were given several strategies for strengthening their leadership and reminded of the importance of gender equality in law for organizational strength.

From left to right: Justice Monica K. Mugenyi, Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga, Pamela Ager

Prof. Won Kidane’s keynote speech offered pertinent insights on the current market of commercial investment, the place of African arbitrators and the future of the market. Other sessions included: International Arbitration: Fundamentals, Trends and Strategies by Alexis Foucard and Anna Kirkpatrick; Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Arbitration by Prof. Kariuki Muigua; Arbitration in a Digital Age by Sam Brown and Tosin Murana; and Body, Mind, and Soul Wellness for Lawyers by Charline Yim.

Sara Lulo & Esine Okudzeto

Expertly moderated by Esine Okudzeto of Sena Okudzeto and Associates (Ghana) and Sara Lulo of ISLP (New York), attendees were treated to breakout dance sessions as part of the theme of wellness for lawyers. 

In closing the training, Prof. Dawuni thanked all sponsors, collaborators and participants and reminded all lawyers in the room to join the Gender Equality in Law Campaign (GELC) to create an inclusive profession where all lawyers can thrive and contribute to national development.