Sokwani Peter Chilembo

Sokwani Peter Chilembo Breaks New Ground in Malawi’s Corporate Insolvency Sector

Sokwani Peter Chilembo has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first internationally recognized Corporate Insolvency Practitioner to be accredited in the Republic of Malawi. He was registered as a certified Insolvency Practitioner in Malawi on 17th September 2024. As the Managing Partner of RASO Chambers, Sokwani’s expertise in commercial law and finance matters has positioned him as one of the leading figures in the region’s legal and business landscape.

With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years as a qualified Legal Practitioner, Sokwani’s journey from both private practice and in-house counsel to a trailblazing role in Malawi’s corporate insolvency space reflects his deep commitment to legal excellence and finance matters. His accreditation not only highlights his outstanding expertise, but also marks a step forward in fostering cross-border legal collaboration.

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Peter Simona

IT Specialist | Web Developer

With 8 years of experience in IT, web development, cybersecurity, UI/UX, and AI, Peter specializes in creating secure, scalable, and user-centric digital solutions, ensuring that the business stays innovative, efficient, and protected in the digital space.

Peter focuses on AI integration, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity resilience, and intuitive web solutions, leveraging emerging technologies to optimize performance and security. All his projects are executed with precision, innovation, and efficiency, ensuring long-term sustainability and adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Peter is committed to delivering high-impact digital solutions, helping the Firm thrive in a technology-driven world.

Dorcas Hasiciimbwe

Practice Manager

Dorcas brings a global perspective to her role, shaped by experience in diplomacy, education, media, and cultural engagement.

Educated in Paris, France with proficiency in French Language, and her ongoing Mandarin studies, she is also certified in Diplomatic Practice, Protocol and Public Relations.

Her work as a Zambia Tourism Ambassador and national Director of international initiatives has involved high-level coordination with government officials and corporate stakeholders, reinforcing her strengths in protocol, discretion, and cross-cultural communication.

With a background in media, education, and executive engagement, Dorcas is a strategic asset to the firm’s operations valued for her professionalism, cultural intelligence, and commitment to excellence.

Essie Syasokwe Munthali

Operations Manager

Essie Syasokwe Munthali is focused, well organized and has excellent communication skills. She is the Operations Manager at Raso Chambers with an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Zambia. She has also done the basics of accounts and is now pursuing a certificate in Human Resources. Essie has 10 years experience in administrative duties at Finance Bank and Atlas Mara.

Tapera Joy Mbewe

Compliance Officer

Tapera is a dynamic and award-winning Ward Councilor with 2 years of dedicated service in Local Government and civic engagement. She excels in fostering community relationships, legislative writing, policy setting, and budget oversight.

Tapera holds a strong educational background with a Bachelor of Law from Cavendish University, Zambia.

To further her education, Tapera is currently studying a Master in International Business Law. She has earned certifications in First Aid, Basics of Compliance Management, and Tevet Trade Certificate Level Ill in Computer Studies. Currently enrolled in the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Young Leadership Development Course, she is committed to enhancing her leadership skills and contributing to future civic and community engagement.

Tapera Joy Mbewe holds multiple roles including Compliance Officer at RASO

Chambers and Ward Councilor at Rufunsa Town Council in an attempt to strike an impressive balance between law and politics. As a Legal Advisor at Healthing Hand Foundation, she provides legal counsel and contributes to gender equality initiatives. Tapera also participates in volunteer activities with orphanages and rural communities, demonstrating her commitment to social welfare.

At the 2023 Local Government Association of Zambia Annual Conference, Tapera Joy Mbewe won 2nd Prize in Advancing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Local Government.

Wandililila Banda

Legal Officer

Natasha graduated from Cavendish University Zambia in 2021 with a Bachelor of Laws Degree. Natasha went on to pursue the Bar Exams at Zambia Institute of Legal Education in 2023, and awaits completion to become an Advocate of the High Court of Zambia.

Natasha specialises in company law, commercial law and debt recovery.

Natasha is dedicated, hardworking and passionate about her work and is known for her strong research skills, eye for detail and commitment to provide her clients with effective legal solutions.

Wandililila Banda

Legal Officer

Wandililila Banda graduated from the University of Zambia in 2023 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 2024, he pursued the Bar exams at the Zambia Institute of Legal Education and is awaiting completion to qualify as an Advocate of the High Court of Zambia.

Wandililila has specialised training in intellectual property law from the World Intellectual Property Organization. With a practical and research-driven approach, he excels in legal research, criminal law, dispute resolution, arbitration, intellectual property, and contract review. He also has a keen interest in securities, sports, and entertainment law. His dedication, diverse skills and commitment to excellence make him reliable to the team.

Wandililila is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).

Mtchuka George Mwale

Of Counsel

George holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) with honours from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. He is also a qualified Barrister of England & Wales. He is also admitted to practice law in both Zambia and Malawi.

His pedigree boasts of vast and clean professional experience in both civil and criminal litigation, representing both corporate and individual clients in both jurisdictions of Zambia and Malawi. George has a strong background of commercial law and specializes in the following areas:

Commercial transactions, negotiations, opinion writing and drafting of complex commercial contracts, especially with the major players in the Tobacco Industry in Malawi.

providing legal opinions on loan agreements, facilitating major borrowings with the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (P.T.A.

Bank, now TDB).

Review and development of employee’s manuals and agreements within companies upon conducting of Legal Due Diligence on companies, inclusive of company restructuring.

George is the Managing Partner of Nicholls & Brooks, a Law Firm registered in Malawi, with offices in Lilongwe and Blantyre. He is also a Lecturer at Malawi Institute of Legal Education, a government agency whose mandate is to provide post graduate legal training in practical law courses for those aspiring to practice law in Malawi.

He is a member of the Malawi Law Society, Law Association of Zambia, the Middle Temple Inn, and a registered Arbitrator with the Agriculture Commodity Exchange (Malawi).

Dr. Akalemwa Ngenda

Of Counsel

Education/Qualification

PhD (Kent), LLM (GWU), LLB (UNZA)

Advocate, High Court for Zambia (Nov 1997); Solicitor, England & Wales (Feb

2007)

Registered Patent & Trade Mark Attorney (Oct 2000)

Experience

Strategic advisory, dispute resolution, appellate practice, continuing legal education; formerly legal adviser, World Bank- IMF Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP-Zambia)

Practice areas: Corporate Insolvency; Banking and Finance; Intellectual Property; Competition Law; Tax; General Commercial

Notable cases: Naidu v Commerce Bank (Z) Ltd. SCZ Appeal No. 64/1999 (banker’s right to compound interest); Vlahakis v Barclays Bank (Z) Ltd. SCZ Appeal No. 148/2001 (leave to appeal orders made in chambers) • Membership/ Honours

Law Society of England and Wales; Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (UK)

Law Association of Zambia

2002-2003: LAZ Council, House Committee,

Intellectual Property

Committee, IT Committee (Convener)

Sometime Visiting Fellow, Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge; Fellow, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), National Law Centre, Washington DC; Beit Scholar, University of Kent at Canterbury.

Prince Mukuka Ngulube

Associate

Prince Mukuka Ngulube is a versatile professional with a unique combination of
expertise in both law and engineering. With a strong foundation in engineering
principles and extensive legal training, Prince brings a multifaceted approach to
legal representation, offering clients comprehensive solutions to complex legal and
technical challenges.

Prince combines technical proficiency with legal acumen to provide clients with Prince combines technical proficiency with legal acumen to provide clients with
innovative and effective solutions to their legal needs. With a dedication to
excelence and a commitment to client success, he offers strategic guidance and
expert representation in the complex intersection of engineering and law.


Prince has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, BEng,
University of Zambia, 2007 and a Bachelor of Laws, University of Lusaka, 2018


Prince specializes in Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution related to engineering Prince specializes in Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution related to engineering
projects, construction contracts, and environmental regulations. Drafting and
negotiating contracts, licenses, and other legal documents pertaining to
engineering and technology.


In terms of work experience, Prince has worked as Legal Counsel at Legal Aid Board
Zambia and Branch Manager for Siemens Zambia Limited. Prince is the Managing
Director of the Southern African Engineering Associates Limited.


Prince is a member of the Engineering Institution of Zambia and is an Associate Prince is a member of the Engineering Institution of Zambia and is an Associate
Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Paul Kalenga

Associate

Paul is an Associate at the firm and he holds both a Bachelors Degree and a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law from the University of Zambia. Paul mainly specializes in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, civil litigation, mining, energy, arbitration, conveyancing, legal research and drafting. Paul is soon to become an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Nkobali Chibeleka

Associate Partner

Nkobali is a well-organized and outgoing legal practitioner who possesses impeccable communication and analytical skills. He is the firms Senior Associate whose qualifications include Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) obtained from Cavendish University, Advocate of the High Court for Zambia (AHCZ) and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Zambia (ASCZ).

He is principally competent in Litigation, advisory, compliance opinions and other legal services. His range of competency include but not limited to general mining laws and regulations. In his work experience, he has collaborated with a variety of individual clients and companies in Employment and mining related disputes.

In addition, Nkobali possesses devised efficient litigation and arbitral strategies, providing accurate and timely counsel in a variety of legal topics. He also provides timely but efficient research.

Furthermore, his competency includes debt collection, land disputes with regards to preparation and registration of real property transfer and security documents, negotiating, reviewing, researching and drafting commercial and legal agreements; vetting of legal contracts; rendering of legal opinions on legality and compatibility on a wide range of legal issues; registration and perfection of property rights in patents, trademarks and brand names; advice in civil and criminal litigation throughout the spectrum of the Zambian legal System.

James Mpundu Chikontwe

Collateral Officer

James has a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Cavendish University Zambia. He is currently a student at the Zambia Institute for Advanced Legal Education.

James has worked as a Legal Assistant at Hobday Kabwe and Company, Japhet Zulu Advocates and TMN Legal Practitioners from 2012 to 2024 until he joined RASO Chambers as a Collateral Officer. He specializes in preparing and filing Court documents in the Superior Courts and Subordinate Court (of Zambia). James also prepares and lodges Securities, Assignments and other related documents at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Patents and Companies Registration Agency .

James’s abilities include Legal Drafting, Conveyancing, Commercial Transactions, Research, Debt Recovery and Litigation.

David Mweela Silavwe

Associate

David graduated with a merit in Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Zambia in 2021 and he was admitted to the Zambian Bar in March 2023. David is currently pursuing a Diploma in Taxation at the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants.

David began his legal career at Mulenga Mundashi Legal Practitioners, where he started as an intern and progressed from a trainee advocate to an Associate, honing his skills in corporate dispute resolution and employment law-related disputes.

In 2022, David emerged as the best graduating student in the Zambia Bar Examinations and was awarded with the Stephen Malama Award, presented by the Mahtani Group of Companies, in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements.

Boyd Chisanga

Immigration Specialist

Boyd Chisanga is the firms Immigration Specialist Consultant he is qualified is Computer Accounting and software Operation.

For more that 10 years, Boyd has spent his career navigating the intricacies of the Zambian immigration landscape. Over the years, Boyd learned from some of Zambia’s top immigration Consultants, Immigration Officers and, at two top- tier immigration law firms, gained first-hand operational insight into the dynamics of immigrating successfully to Zambia for both individuals and corporate entities. Boyd has worked closely with multi-national corporations to help their employees move across borders seamlessly and compliantly.

Furthermore, Boyd’s competency includes setting up businesses at Patents and Companies Registration Agency and advising clients on ZDA Investment Licence Applications, Mining Licences Applications, Citizenship Applications, Tourism Licences Applications, Hotel Managers Licence Applications, Betting and Casino Licences Applications, clearing and forwarding.

Sokwani Peter Chilembo

Managing Partner

He is the Founder and Managing Partner of RASO CHAMBERS. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from The University of Zambia. He is an Advocate of all superior Courts in Zambia with 15 years standing at the Bar. He is also a candidate for a Master of Laws Degree in International Commercial Law, with the University of Salford in Manchester. He is a registered Insolvency Practitioner in Zambia and Malawi.

Sokwani previously served as the Group Legal Counsel for the Mahtani Group of Companies for 7 years, overseeing business interests in a number of sectors in Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and overseas. These include Banking, Mining, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance, Hospitality, Real Estate, Health, Energy and consultancy.

Prior to being the Group Legal Counsel, Sokwani served as the Head of Legal and Company Secretary for Finance Bank Zambia Plc for 6 years. Whilst at the Bank, he also served as a member of the Management Committee, Chairperson and Trustee of the Board of Finance Bank Pension Fund and its Investment Committee, and a member of the Bargaining Unit Team on behalf of Management, among others.

Sokwani also worked in private practice before moving as In-House Counsel in 2011.

In terms of leadership, Sokwani previously served as Honorary Secretary of the Law Association of Zambia, and Council member of the SADC Law Association. He is also the current Chairperson of the Ethics Committee of the Football Association of Zambia, having previously served as the Chairperson of its Legal Committee. He also has various interests at Board and shareholder level in different business undertakings, as he is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, music mogue and sports enthusiast.