Founder’s Experience

The examples below reflect our founder’s direct involvement in complex matters across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas in recent years.

Kelvin Buchanan has worked in the legal industry since 2012. He started as an associate at a top tier law firm in Sandton, Johannesburg (Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc.) before moving in-house with a major listed energy company as Senior Legal Adviser.

Later, Kelvin joined the company’s crude, petroleum and derivatives trading arm in London before moving into practice in the City of London with another top tier law firm, Clyde & Co LLP.

Kelvin then joined a state-owned company in the Middle East where he worked as Lead Counsel before forming Buchanan North Inc.

Selected Achievement Highlights – Our Founder 

The highlights below reflect experience gained through prior legal roles supporting major energy companies and complex commercial operations. Each reflects a strong track record of delivering practical results across disputes, procurement, and strategic contracting — often under significant time and commercial pressure.

Senior Vice President ‘Letters of Recognition’ for the following achievements

  • Negotiated contracts at significantly reduced rates - raised additional ZAR 16 million in profits for the company (23 January 2015)

  • Legal recoveries in dispute resolution negotiations against transportation service providers (commendation for achievements without any “external consultation”) (14 April 2015)

  • Ensured company’s reputation was protected from negative impact of personal injury claim and negotiated a beneficial outcome for all parties (19 October 2015)

  • Significant monetary legal recoveries, delivering consistently beyond expectations and demonstrating enthusiasm, dedication and perseverance (30 June 2016)

  • Extensive due diligence work in a project saved costs on external legal advice, demonstrated commitment and ensured completion on schedule (31 March 2017)

VP Finance - Formal Recognition from a listed energy company 

  • ‘Exceptional’ hard work and dedication in successfully negotiating a significant supply agreement which had stalled for several months prior (June 2023) 

Saved client +/- USD 210 million 

  • Resolved longstanding disputes and negotiated substantial settlements with multiple EPC contractors, delivering savings of over USD 200 million (2023-2024)

Dispute Resolution Recoveries

  • Raised in excess of ZAR11 million for a South African based client over 3 years (2015-2017)