Personal Profile
Cyrus Maina is the Managing Partner at CM Advocates LLP and a seasoned legal and business adviser with over 20 years of experience across diverse areas of law, with particular expertise in corporate and commercial law, tax, project finance, infrastructure development, land law and complex transactions. He combines deep legal expertise with strong business acumen, industry knowledge and a commitment to service excellence, advising clients across Kenya and the wider East African region.
Cyrus has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams on complex, high-value and strategically significant assignments involving public institutions, financial institutions, corporates and investors. His work has included advising on public-private partnerships and concession arrangements, infrastructure and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, regulatory and compliance audits, property and land transactions, financial security perfection, and complex commercial documentation and negotiations.
He has led significant engagements for institutions including the Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Commercial Bank, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Equity Bank and Business Partners International, among others. His experience also includes contributing to the development of the Tea (Trading Regulations) of 2008 and advising on the establishment and governance of charities, trusts, foundations, societies and NGOs.
Through his leadership of complex legal mandates and strategic transactions, Cyrus brings a practical, commercially grounded perspective to legal advisory, helping clients navigate regulatory complexity, structure transactions effectively, manage risk and advance their strategic objectives.
Cyrus holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Nairobi, which he completed between 2000 and 2004, and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law, completed between 2004 and 2005. He further holds professional accounting qualifications, having completed the Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (CPA (K)) programme with KASNEB between 2001 and 2005, as well as the Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (CPS (K)) programme between 2006 and 2007. His multidisciplinary academic and professional training combines legal expertise with strong knowledge of accounting, corporate governance and professional practice.
Outside his professional practice, Cyrus enjoys reading, particularly on business, leadership, history, and current affairs, which complements his interest in understanding the broader legal, economic, and social forces shaping the business environment. He also enjoys engaging in thought-provoking conversations and spending quality time with family and friends.
Contact Information
Practice Areas
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Anti-bribery & Anti-Corruption
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Asset Tracing & Recovery
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Aviation, Transport & Logistics
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Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Practice
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Blue Economy & Maritime Law Unit
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Capital Markets and Fundraising
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Charities and Social Impact Practice
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Climate & Nature Markets
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Commercial & Business Law
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Construction Contracts & Project Finance
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Corporate Law
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Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT), Data Protection & Cybersecurity Practice
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Litigation and Dispute Resolution
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Debt Recovery, Restructuring & Insolvency
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Entity Set-Up And Establishment
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ESG & Business Ethics
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Family Law
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Financial Services, Innovation & Regulation (Fin-SIR) Practice
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Forensics Investigations Support
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Immigration & Global Mobility
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IP & Technology
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Multilateral Organizations, Foreign Embassies & Consulates
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Private Equity & Venture Capital
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Private Wealth
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Real Estate Finance
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Regulated Industries & Professionals
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Shipping Logistics & Admiralty Law
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Tax & International Business Advisory Unit
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Business Establishment & Compliance Advisory (BECA)
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M&A’s, Share Deals and Restructuring
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Competition, Anti-trust Law and Consumer Protection Practice
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Notarization, Authentication and Consular Legalization
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Licensing & Regulatory Compliance
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Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
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Bankruptcy
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Corporate Restructuring & Special Situations
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Pension Schemes, Employee Benefits & Incentives
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Workplace Investigations & Compliance
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Oil, Gas, Coal and Petrochemicals
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Power and Renewable Energy
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Mining and Mineral Resources
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Environmental & Community Relations
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Energy Infrastructure and Transmission
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Hydrogen, Bioenergy and Emerging Technologies
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Fintech & Digital Innovation
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Artificial Intelligence Practice
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Digital Assets, Crypto-Currency & Blockchain
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Investigations, Compliance & Regulatory Defence
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Corporate Governance & Regulatory Defence
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Public Procurement & Strategic Partnerships (P2P) Practice
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Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
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Infrastructure & Transport Projects
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Urban Development & Smart Cities
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Real Estate Development Projects and Joint Ventures
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Real Estate Leasing and Licensing
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Banking and Securitization
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Agriculture, Farm and Estates
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Social and Affordable Housing
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Hybrid Capital & Structured Finance
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Natural Resources & Biodiversity
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Sustainable Finance & Green Investment
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International Private Wealth Practice
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Local and International Private Clients
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Family Business Services
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International Trade & Investment
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Transfer Pricing & Cross-Border Structuring
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Customs & Trade Compliance
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Beauty and Wellness Practice
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Fashion, Apparel & Luxury Practice
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Healthcare, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals Practice
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Hospitality, Travel & Leisure (HTL)
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Sports Law & Business Practice
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Insurance Practice