Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the MLS is established under section 75 of the LELPA. It consists of the Chairperson, one representative from each Chapter of the MLS and other officers determined by the MLS. The MLS established three (3) Chapters namely: Southern Region Chapter, Central Region Chapter and Northern Region Chapter. The full positions of the Executive Committee are as follows: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Treasurer, Chapter Representative (South), Chapter Representative (Centre), Chapter Representative (North) and three (3) Committee Members. The following are the members of the Executive Committee: Davis Mthakati Njobvu (Chairperson), McHarven Ngwata (Vice Chairperson), Francis Ekari M’mame (Honorary Secretary), Kizito Sonkho Kumwenda (Treasurer), Christopher Masanje (Chapter Representative, South), Barney Semphani (Chapter Representative, Centre), William Ntchayabweka Chibwe Jnr (Chapter Representative, North) and Committee Members: Felisters Francisco, Grace Thindwa and Innocent Sophie Kazembe Chirwa.
Davis Mthakati Njobvu
ChairpersonDavis Mthakati Njobvu was admitted to the bar in January 2001 and has dedicated over two decades to the legal profession. He is a Senior Partner at DNC Chambers, a modern legal firm with its offices in Blantyre. He has litigated extensively in the Courts of Malawi from the Magistrates to the Supreme Court of Appeal and has successfully represented many clients and managed to resolve their dispute through Alternative Dispute Resolution both locally and internationally. He is also part time lecturer in Professional Conduct and Ethics at the Malawi Institute of Legal Education (MILE) and has mentored a number of lawyers over the years. He is also an accomplished musician.
Mcharven Ngwata
Vice ChairpersonMcHarven Ngwata is a partner at Otis Hadley Attorneys, a private practice law firm with its offices in Blantyre. He is a legal practitioner of 11 years standing at the Bar, and is the Vice President of the Malawi Law Society, a position he was elected to by the membership of the Society in March of 2025. He previously served in the Executive Committee of the Society as Southern Chapter Representative for the period 2023-2025.
Francis Ekari M’mame
Honorary SecretaryFrancis Ekari M’MAME is an experienced legal professional with over 16 years of expertise in commercial law, contract law, corporate governance, and litigation. He currently serves as Governance and Legal Services Manager at Family Health Services, providing strategic legal and compliance advisory to executive leadership and the Board.
He previously held senior legal roles including Senior Associate at Lloyds & Associates and Head of Legal Services at AHL Group plc, where he led legal teams, managed corporate litigation, and handled high-level contract negotiations. His experience also includes company secretarial work for multiple subsidiaries and board-level advisory roles.
Francis holds a Master of Business Administration (ESAMI), a Postgraduate Certificate in Legislative Drafting (University of Pretoria), and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Malawi. In addition to his legal practice, he has served on various boards, including AMREF Health Africa and FHI 360 in Malawi.
As Honorary Secretary of the Malawi Law Society, Francis Ekari M’mame brings strong governance expertise, regional legal insight, and a longstanding commitment to upholding professional and ethical standards in the legal profession.
Kizito Sonkho Kumwenda
TreasurerKizito Sonkho Kumwenda is a seasoned Legal Practitioner with over nine years of experience at the Malawi Bar. He currently serves as Company Secretary and Legal Manager at Eris Properties Mw Limited, where he is responsible for legal, governance, and compliance functions. His previous roles include Legal Manager at First Capital Bank, as well as Associate positions at Mwangomba & Associates and Anchor Mooring Partners. Within the Malawi Law Society, he has served on the Executive Committee and contributed to subcommittees including Events Planning and Social Welfare, and Sports.
Kizito holds a Master of Business Administration from the Malawi School of Government (formerly the Malawi Institute of Management) and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons) from the University of Malawi. Beyond his corporate legal responsibilities, he holds various leadership roles in national institutions, including Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee of the Netball Association of Malawi, Member of the Club Licensing Appeals Committee of the Football Association of Malawi, and Board Director at St. Joseph, Nguludi Hospital, where he chairs the Legal and Human Resources Committee. He also lectures in Corporate Law as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Malawi School of Government. As Treasurer of the Malawi Law Society, he brings deep expertise in governance, compliance, and financial oversight, combined with a strong track record of leadership and dedication to advancing the Society’s mission and strategic objectives.
Grace Thindwa
Executive Committee MemberGrace Thindwa is a member of the bar of 7 years standing, currently working with Likongwe and Company as a legal practitioner. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Degree from the University of Malawi. She has served as a member of the Malawi Law Society CPD Subcommittee for the years 2021-2023 as well as the Malawi Law Society Junior Lawyers Practice Division in the years 2023-2025. She currently serves as Executive Committee Member for the Malawi Law Society.
Felisters Francisco
Executive Committee MemberFelisters Francisco is a Legal Services Manager at Sunbird Tourism PLC, a leading hospitality company listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange. With a Master of Laws in Criminal Justice and Procedure from the University of the Western Cape (2019) and a Bachelor of Laws Degree (Honors) from the University of Malawi (2017), Felisters brings extensive expertise in litigation, labor law, corporate law, compliance, and contract law.
As a registered member of the Malawi Law Society with over 8 years of experience practicing law in Malawi’s courts, Felisters provides expert guidance on legal matters, ensuring Sunbird Tourism Plc’s operations align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Felisters has also held various leadership roles within the Malawi Law Society, including serving on the Junior Lawyers Division Committee (2021-2023) and the Revenue Practice Division (2023-2025). She is currently an Executive Committee member of the Malawi Law Society.
Christopher Masanje
Chapter Representative (South)Christopher Masanje is a private legal Practitioner of 18 years’ experience at the bar. He was admitted to the bar on 7th January 2008 having worked for the Ministry of Justice for one year as a Senior State Advocate and Senior Legal Aid Advocate. Following his admission to the bar he worked with Messrs. Knight & Knight and Messrs Kainja & Dzonzi, both private law firms. In 2016, he founded Messrs. Pious Attorneys where he is the Managing Partner. He is the Chapter Representative for the Southern Chapter of the Malawi Law Society for the period 2025- 2027. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) from the University of Malawi obtained in February 2007
Barney Everson Semphani
Chapter Representative (Central)Barney Everson Semphani holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of London obtained in 2016. He was admitted to the Bar on 21 March 2019 and is the Managing Partner at Destiny Chambers Attorneys at Law.
William Ntchayabweka Chibwe Jnr
Chapter Representative (North)Mr William Mtchayabweka Chibwe Jr is a Legal Practitioner of 13 years standing at the bar. He is a holder of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from the University of Malawi – Chancellor College. He previously served as a member of the Events Planning & Social Welfare Subcommittee of the Malawi Law Society between 2021 and 2023 and a Chapter Representative (North) between 2023 and 2025. Currently, He is the Managing Partner and Head of Litigation at John Tennyson, Kawelo & Associates.
Innocent Sophie Kazembe Chirwa
Executive Committee MemberInnocent Sophie Kazembe Chirwa is the Principal State Advocate in the Office of the Attorney General within the Ministry of Justice. He holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the University of Malawi. Innocent was admitted to the bar on 11th December 2019. Before joining public service, he worked as an associate legal consultant in the firm of Messrs GK Associates based in Blantyre. He is an alumnus of 2025 Regional Course in International Law for Africa. Innocent thrives in litigation, arbitration and mediation. He is a co-author of ‘Exploring the Impact of Access to Information Laws on Corruption in Malawi: A Vector Error Correction Approach’ published in IAPSS Journal of Political Science Vol. 60, 2025.
Innocent was elected as the Executive Committee Member in the 2025-2027 MLS Executive Committee. He also served as an executive member of the Junior Lawyers Division of the Malawi Law Society for 2023-2025.