Kemilembe D. Barongo: A Bold Leader Championing Change & Global Standards

In an industry sometimes held captive by convention, it takes a special sort of leader to redefine the rules. Powered by conviction and ready to defy conventional thinking, Port Town Legal's Managing Partner Kemilembe D. Barongo is that force who is unapologetically restructuring Tanzania's judicial landscape and beyond.

Raised in a household that valued discipline and ambition, Kemilembe's earliest lessons were not in books but in the expectations placed upon her as the eldest. Guided by duty and with teachers as examples, she was taught to lead and to overcome.

With an LLB from Nairobi and a postgraduate diploma from the Law School of Tanzania, Kemilembe entered corporate and commercial law, making a name for herself swiftly as a tireless, client-focused lawyer.

She went on to establish Port Town Legal, a firm which is conceived in a vision to construct a new era of African lawyers being committed and entrepreneurial. What began as a dormant vision among friends is now an emerging pan-African behemoth, spreading its wings far and wide in East Africa, Dubai and the world.

As Managing Partner, Kemilembe drives with a keen eye for growth and redefining excellence. Ranked among Tanzania's 100 Changemakers and shortlisted Partner of the Year at the African Legal Awards, her mission extends beyond awards but is instead about empowering women, restoring trust in African-built systems and proving that African law firms can lead on the global platform.

What inspired your journey into corporate law?

As the firstborn in my family, my early years were shaped by structure and high expectations. With my grandmother and mother, both teachers, school started early, and I was expected to lead by example. From a young age, I loved solving problems and reading mystery novels, which sparked my early interest in law.

Though I initially considered international relations or human rights law, I eventually gravitated toward corporate law.

My career has been driven by a strong desire to learn and excel. Even as an intern in Tanzania’s competitive legal field, I was determined to stand out. I’ve always had a winning mindset. Law allows me to do what I love: win, especially for my clients.

What inspired Port Town Legal's establishment? What vision drove it?

Port Town Legal was originally an idea I came up with alongside a few friends about five years ago. At the time, we didn’t implement it because everyone was focused on other things. Later, during a transitional phase in my life and career, I felt unchallenged and unmotivated. I knew I needed something that would truly push me.

I reconnected with my colleagues to revisit the idea. We identified a significant gap in the legal market, not just in Tanzania, but globally: the lack of lawyers who genuinely care and consistently deliver. That’s how Port Town Legal was born.

We aimed to create a new platform, a new breed of lawyers committed to getting the job done and fighting for their clients’ rights. Our mission was to revolutionize the legal space and reshape the perception of African professionals. Too often, people have been let down by systems in African countries. We wanted to prove that a law firm built from the ground up in Africa could be trusted and respected for its excellence.

What are your key responsibilities? How are you leading Port Town Legal’s expansion?

My key responsibilities include managing the firm’s affairs, with a strong focus on business development from the outset. The legal industry is both diverse and highly competitive. There are over 13,000 registered lawyers, not counting in-house counsel and others.

I oversee business development, assist the marketing department, supervise staff training, and play a significant role in mentoring junior team members. I also manage the firm’s day-to-day operations, maintain client relationships, ensure client satisfaction, and lead our efforts to expand into new legal areas and regions.

I Want Women To Know They Belong At The Table, They Can Be Powerhouses If They Set Their Minds To It

Our long-term vision is to position Port Town Legal as a Pan-African firm. Currently, we're focused on expansion. We’ve partnered with a law firm in Nairobi to offer legal services across East Africa. We're also pursuing partnerships in Dubai, South Africa, and Egypt to ensure our clients receive top-tier service and feel secure wherever they go.

Which milestones stand out in your journey? What drives your leadership approach?

One major milestone in my professional journey was being named among the 100 Tanzanian Changemakers for 2024, a recognition that affirmed my purpose of driving change. Another proud moment was being shortlisted for Partner of the Year at the African Legal Awards, alongside firms like Clyde & Co and Bowmans.

As a woman, I believe leadership is achievable with persistence. My leadership philosophy is rooted in independence and trust.

I involve my team from day one, encouraging them to manage clients and understand the business side of law. Legal practice isn’t just about protection, it’s also about sustainability. I maintain an open-door policy but avoid handholding. My aim is to build a globally operating law firm that runs independently, setting a new benchmark for African legal practices.

What impact do you hope to create? How is the legal field evolving?

A few years ago, I was content with a nine-to-five job, doing the bare minimum. But after deep reflection, I realized I’m capable of much more, of leading, taking on challenges, and inspiring others to believe they can be anything they want to be.

I aim to inspire my community, particularly the legal field, to nurture bold, business-minded lawyers. Ours is a profession of honor, and we must live up to that. I especially want to empower women, many of whom battle self-doubt and societal pressure.

The legal advisory sector is evolving, driven by investment law reforms and expansion into areas like AI and personal data protection. I foresee major growth in AI law. With rising public concern over data use and privacy, like the recent ChatGPT debate, data protection is becoming a key legal focus.

Kemilembe D. Barongo, Managing Partner, Port Town Legal

Kemilembe D. Barongo is the Managing Partner at Port Town Legal, who has deep experience in corporate and commercial law and legal strategy. She focuses on developing client-driven legal solutions in East Africa and beyond, with entrepreneurial legal leadership as her area of expertise. With education in law from Nairobi and the Law School of Tanzania, she has experience in firm management and international expansion.

Awards & recognitions

• Listed in Tanzania 100 Changemakers as a Tanzanian Changemaker 2024

• Awarded Future Executive to watch out for - Top 100 Executives Tanzania 2024

• Recognized as Rising Star (Corporate law) - Women in Business Law Awards 2024

• Recognized as partner of the year -East Africa - African Legal Awards 2025 and as Woman Leader in Law - African Legal Awards 2024

• Recognized as Trailblazer of the year –African Legal Innovation & Technology Awards 2025