DLA Advocates is the pioneer Non-Profits, Social Impact and for Good Businesses Law Firm in Africa. The firm was formed out of the recognition of current gaps in the provision of dedicated and specialized legal services to non-profits and for good businesses in Uganda and on the African continent.
DLA Advocates is therefore dedicated to providing Exclusive and Specialized Legal assistance to Non-Profits, Social Impact and For Good Businesses in navigating the unique legal and operational challenges that they are faced with while at the same time seizing key opportunities.
About Us: DNgabirano Law Associates and Advocates (DLA Advocates)
We are the Pioneer Non-Profits, Social Impact and For Good Businesses Specialized Legal Practice in Africa. We advise and represent a broad range of clients that include, local and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Philanthropies, Foundations (Private and Corporate), Charities, Grant Making organisations, International Development Agencies, and Stake Holder Oriented businesses. For each of these clients, we provide legal representation and advise on all aspects of the law.
Areas of Practice
Non-Profits/NGOs
This is our key area of specialty for which the firm was formed, and one that distinguishes us from all other legal practices in the region. We advise several non-profit entities on all aspects of their legal and operational functioning. Our services include; formation of appropriate structures, drafting of constitutive documents, statutory and regulatory compliance, tax and exemptions, labor and employment, immigration, internal governance, legal and tax audits, investigations, contract negotiations and drafting, grant making and administration, political campaign and lobbying limitations, executive compensation, intellectual property, charitable contributions, restructuring and dissolution.
We also represent non-profits before Courts of Law, and other administrative tribunals and regulatory bodies. These include the Non-Governmental Organisations Bureau, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA).
Social Impact and For Good Businesses
Our social enterprise practice is centered on the strong belief that businesses can do good and still make profit. In this respect we support businesses to incorporate responsible and sustainability driven practices into their structure. We also support social enterprises in aspects of legal formation, statutory and regulatory compliance, tax compliance, environmental sustainability, corporate governance, immigration, private philanthropy, charitable donations, exemptions, labor and employment.
We act as company secretaries, directors and legal representatives for several social impact and for good businesses. DLA Advocates also represents these organisations before Courts of Law, administrative tribunals, and regulatory bodies such as the Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Directorate of Immigration, Labour office, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Environment and Extractives
At DLA Advocates we believe in providing sustainable solutions to our clients. Our practice is therefore designed to support Non-profits and for good businesses on all aspects of environmental and social compliance. We provide advice and support for good businesses in obtaining environmental compliance permits and social impact assessments. We also advise extractive companies on sustainable development and responsible business practices including but not limited to legal and regulatory compliance, stake holder engagement, decommissioning, fair land compensation and resettlement of project affected persons.
We equally represent clients before regulatory bodies such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) and the Department of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM).
Real Estate and Land Use
We advise our clients on all aspects of real estate and land use and provide services relating to land acquisition, conveyancing, disposition, resettlement, and property management. We also advise on responsible and green real estate financing and property development. Our real estate, and land use services are particularly tailored to fit the specific circumstances and needs of non-profits, social impact and for good businesses.
Labor, Employment, and Immigration
We offer a broad range of labour, employment and immigration services for our clients who constitute of majorly non-profits, social impact and for good businesses. Our services include vetting and hiring of staff and board members; drafting and registering of legal documents such as human resource manuals, board manuals, risk assessment, anti-sexual harassment, health and safety; drafting and advisory of contracts among which include employment, consultancy and trade related; and drafting and advisory of regulations relating to data-protection and conflict of interest.
The above is complimented with services designed to facilitate movement of staff such as visa processing and renewals, work permits and passes for temporary employees and dependents and advise on dual citizenship.
Pro-bono Services
As a Firm that is strongly committed to sustainability and responsible business practices, we have a stellar record of providing pro bono services to indigent persons and supporting the work of nonprofits engaged in the provision of legal aid services to communities. Our attorneys are also members of the Network for Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL)- a legal aid and pro bono initiative of the Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC) at the School of Law, Makerere University.