MONROVIA – The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has appointed Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala as the new Chair of its Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee, a role central to enhancing legal professionalism and upholding standards within Liberia’s legal sector.
The appointment has been met with widespread commendation, as legal practitioners across the country recognize Cllr. Gbala’s longstanding dedication to legal excellence, mentorship, and professional development. His elevation to this post comes at a time when the Bar Association is intensifying efforts to strengthen legal capacity, ethics, and continuing education for Liberian lawyers.
Cllr. Gbala currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia (UL), where he teaches Contracts Law, Public International Law, and International Business Transactions. His academic contributions have positioned him as a respected voice in shaping the next generation of legal minds in Liberia.
Beyond academia, his career spans several key roles in national and international institutions. He previously served as Vice Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), where he was instrumental in advancing anti-graft efforts and institutional reforms. His professional experience also includes work as Country Coordinator of the UN Volunteers Program at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Natural Resources Management Specialist at DAI, Organizational Development Advisor at Internews, and Program Specialist at TrustAfrica.
Cllr. Gbala’s qualifications further highlight his capacity for leadership in legal education. He is a certified Prince2 Agile project manager with practical experience in governance and rule of law initiatives in Liberia, Senegal, and Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Ohio Northern University. His academic and professional journey has earned him international recognition, including being named a 2009 Chevening Fellow at the University of Bradford and a 2021 Young Leader by the French African Foundation.
The legal community has expressed optimism that under Cllr. Gbala’s leadership, the CLE Committee will enhance continuing legal education programs, promote ethical standards, and equip lawyers with modern tools to meet the evolving demands of the profession.
As Chair of the CLE Committee, Cllr. Gbala is expected to play a pivotal role in setting strategic direction for legal education and strengthening the Bar’s overall mission of fostering a competent and principled legal profession in Liberia.
