Ugandan law firm Ortus Advocates partners with Yingke, China’s largest law firm Ortus Advocates becomes the first law firm to join the Yingke Global Legal Alliance, a network of over 8,000 lawyers in 113 cities in 53 countries – located in key financial, business and regulatory centers in Asia, Europe, South America and North America.

With most of Uganda’s largest and oldest law firms looking to the west for partnerships and affiliations with major global legal brands such as DLA Piper, Dentons and Norton Rose Fulbright and to the south- mainly South Africa, one Ugandan law firm is daring to look to the east- the Far East for a partner.

Ortus Advocates, one of Uganda’s youngest legal, tax and business advisory law firms, has partnered with Yingke Law Firm,China’s largest indigenous law firm and one of the top 5 law firms in China by revenue and presence.

Under a cooperation agreement signed in December 2019, Ortus Africa becomes the 25th member of the Yingke Global Legal Alliance- comprised of 51 domestic Yingke offices in China, as well as another 24 member law firms mainly located in 113 cities in 53 countries in key financial, business and regulatory centres in Asia, Europe, South America, and North America.

Yingke has consistently over the years, been positively rated by major reputable law ranking agencies such as Chambers & Partners, Commercial Law, American Lawyer, Legal 500, Asia Legal Business and The Lawyer (UK).

Bernard M. Katureebe, the Ortus Managing Partner, signed on behalf of Ortus, while Mr. Mei Xiangrong the Founding Partner, Global Partner, Director of Yingke Law Firm and Chairman of Yingke Global Board of Directors signed on behalf of Yingke.

Ortus becomes the first law firm in Africa to become part of the Yingke Global Network of over 8,000 seasoned and largely business lawyers. The cooperation agreement creates a strategic partnership by increasing access and knowledge for clients on both ends, aspiring to expand into either Africa or China.

Commenting about the cooperation agreement Katureebe believes the combination would lead to significant synergies in light of the two firms’ strengths and offerings.

“This move responds to the firm´s desire to continue growing by anticipating clients’ needs and offering outbound and inbound access to law, tax & business advisory services,” Katureebe said.

“China is one of Uganda’s and East Africa’s major development and trading partners. Research shows that Uganda received up to USD536m in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) mainly in the energy, transport and communication sectors. Data from Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) shows that China, at USD607 million, topped the list of sources of planned FDI in financial year 2018/2019- 45% of all the planned investment into Uganda. This Cooperation Agreement is a stitch in time, as it will guarantee Chinese businesses coming to Uganda, faster turnaround times and cost-effective solutions,” he added.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mei Xiangrong said the partnership would create a “globalized service for both our clients with a local touch.”

“Over the last decade, Sino-African political, economic, military, social and cultural relations have grown rapidly. The IMF recently declared Africa the world’s second-fastest-growing region, with much of the growth predicted to come from the East African region including Uganda.  Likewise, China is now Africa’s biggest trade partner, with Sino-African trade topping $200 billion per year. Significant culture and language gaps, as well as lack of a full understanding of business opportunities on both ends, still do exist. This partnership seeks to further open up both our worlds and unlock the full potential of Sino-African