LAW
Digest
A F R I C A AWA R D S 2 017 FINALISTS AND RECIPIENT
CONTENTS Introduction
5
From the sponsor
7
Judges
8-9
Award Categories, Shortlist and Recipient
10
Profiles of Finalist and Recipients
Adeniyi Duale of Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (Nigeria)
Africa Finance Corp (Nigeria)
Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
Baker McKenzie (UK)
Banwo & Ighodalo (Nigeria)
Bowmans (South Africa)
22-23
CGA (Mozambique)
24-25
Dechert LLP (UK)
Eliane Bergenthuin De Beer Attorneys (South Africa)
28-29
Elizabeth Idigbe – Punuka Chambers (Nigeria)
30-31
Fred Ojimbo – Kaplan & Stratton (Kenya)
George Etomi & Partners (Nigeria)
34-35
Justine Lewa - Sterling Bank plc ( Nigeria )
36-37
Kaplan & Stratton (Kenya)
Kenna Partners (Nigeria)
40-41
Marian Awela - Marreean & Ass (Nigeria)
42-43
Nigerian Stock Exchange (Nigeria)
44-45
Oghogho Akpata - Templars (Nigeria)
46-47
Sefton Fross (Nigeria)
48-49
Stephenson Harwood LLP (UK)
50-51
Sterling Bank plc (Nigeria)
52-53
Templars (Nigeria)
54-55
The New Practice (TNP) (Nigeria)
56-57
Tinuade Awe - the Nigerian Stock Exchange (Nigeria)
58-59
Chief Beiyo Ojo S A N , C O N , F C I A R B , F N I A L S
60-61
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
12-13 14 16-17 18 20
26
32
38
62
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INTRODUCTION Law Digest Africa Awards is proud to continue to promote excellence in the practice of law in Africa. With over 175 entries from more than 15 countries across Africa and Europe, the award has proven itself once again as the most coveted award for lawyers in Africa. With firms from Mozambique, Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco, Ivory Coast and Angola submitting entries for the first time, we are pleased that the award has been well received across the continent. The quality of the submissions have been very impressive, which made judging very difficult. We would like to thank all participants, including the candidates, referees and most of all our judges who have given of their time to review the submissions. We would also like to thank our sponsors Stephenson Harwood for their continued support. We hope that you will all continue to support the award for years to come.
Seyi Clement Executive Editor – Law Digest
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FROM THE SPONSOR My firm is delighted to sponsor the Law Digest Conference
A number of our key Africa team members have even
and Awards Dinner for the third year running. It has
lived, studied and/or trained in Africa, including from key
become an annual fixture for the legal community and fills
gateway jurisdictions like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa,
an important gap in the market very well.
Mauritius, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire. We are therefore
Building relationships and partnerships, sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas and learning from others is an integral
Kamal Shah
part of how we do business in Africa. Whether it is through
deeply passionate about Africa; it is much more than just a place on a map for our team. Nigeria is without doubt one of the most exciting markets for us in Africa.
sponsoring and participating in conferences, sitting on
We are proud to continue our sponsorship of a prize for the
Partner and head of Africa and India groups Arbitration, litigation, fraud and asset tracing London
Africa-specific business groups and arbitral institutions,
best law student in Nigeria and this year are supporting
hosting secondees from law firms and clients in Africa or
Rhino Ark, a charity focused on conserving, the Kenyan
indeed sending our own lawyers on secondment to Africa.
environment and wildlife.
T: +44 20 7809 2301 E: kamal.shah@shlegal.com
Therefore, our sponsorship of the Law Digest Conference is a natural extension of our activities in Africa. Stephenson Harwood has been involved in Africa for many
I look forward to catching up with many friends and colleagues at the Law Digest Conference and Awards Dinner in November.
years. Lawyers from our ten international offices advise and assist clients based in Africa on a variety of legal issues covering almost all the firm’s practice areas. The lawyers in our Africa group have developed deep knowledge, strong personal relationships and unparalleled expertise across many sectors and countries on the Continent. ARBITRATION IN AFRICA A REVIEW OF KEY JURISDICTIONS John Miles, Tunde Fagbohunlu SAN and Kamal Shah
Offices | Beijing | Dubai | Hong Kong | London | Paris | Piraeus | Seoul | Shanghai | Singapore | Yangon Associated offices | Athens | Bucharest | Guangzhou | Jakarta
www.shlegal.com 7
THE JUDGES
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S E Y E KO S O KO
Alice N Blazevic
Mickael Laurans
Head, Legal Services & Company Secretary - Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria.
Vice President – Uganda Law Society & Partner – Katende, Ssempebwa & Co
Head of International – Law Society of England & Wales.
NOOR KAPDI
PIETER STEYN
J U L I E N K AVA R U G A N D A
Managing Partner - Dentons South Africa
Director – Werksmans & Chairman - LEX AFRICA
President - Rwanda Bar Association
THE JUDGES
JULIET C. MAZERA
N A N K U N D A K AT A N G A Z A
Swithin Munyantwali,
Partner – MMC Africa Law.
Director Hook Tangaza international
Vice Chairman International Law Institute
ERIC MUTUA
MICHAEL EDEM AKAFIA
CHIEF BAYO OJO, SAN, CON
Former President – Law Society of Kenya and Partner E K Mutua & Co
VP & Head, Legal & Compliance - Gold Fields West Africa & Partner - Landmark Legal
Partner Bayo Ojo & Co
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AWA R D CAT E G O R I E S , S H O R T L I S T AND RECIPIENTS Africa Strategic Partner 2017
Law Firm of the Year 2017
Power, Energy & Natural Resources Team 2017
• Stephenson Harwood LLP (UK)
• CGA – Couto, Graca&Associados (Mozambique)
• CGA – Couto, Graca&Associados (Mozambique)
• Baker McKenzie (UK)
• Banwo&Ighodalo (Nigeria)
• Sefton Fross (Nigeria)
• Dechert LLP (UK)
• Kenna Partners (Nigeria)
• George Etomi& Partners (Nigeria)
Banking & Finance Team 2017
• Bowman (South Africa)
• Banwo&Ighodalo( Nigeria)
• Banwo&Ighodalo (Nigeria)
• Kaplan & Stratton (Kenya)
• Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
• George Etomi& Partners (Nigeria)
• Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
• Udo Udoma& Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
• Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
• Templars (Nigeria)
• Templars (Nigeria)
• Udo Udoma& Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team 2017
Property, Infrastructure & Construction Team 2017
• Kaplan & Stratton (Kenya)
• Bowmans (South Africa)
• Banwo&Ighodalo (Nigeria)
• Templars (Nigeria)
• Sefton Fross (Nigeria)
• Sefton Fross (Nigeria)
Capital Market Team 2017
• Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
• Templars (Nigeria)
• Bowmans (South Africa)
• Udo Udoma& Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
General Counsel of the Year 2017
• Sefton Fross (Nigeria)
• The New Practice (Nigeria)
• Tinuade Awe – Nigerian Stock Exchange (Nigeria)
M&A Team 2017
• Justine Lewa – Sterling Bank plc (Nigeria)
• Banwo&Ighodalo (Nigeria)
In-House Team of the Year 2017
• The New Practice (Nigeria)
• Africa Finance Corp (Nigeria)
• Banwo&Ighodalo (Nigeria) • Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria) • Udo Udom& Belo-Osagie (Nigeria) • Templars (Nigeria) Female Managing Partner 2017 • Elaine Bergenthuim – De Beer Attorney (South Africa) • Elizabeth Idigbe – Punuka Chamber (Nigeria)
• Bowmans (South Africa) • Sefton Fross (Nigeria) • Kaplan & Stratton (Kenya)
• Sterling Bank plc (Nigeria) • Nigeria Stock Exchange (Nigeria)
• Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
Young Managing Partner of the Year 2017 (under 40)
IP and Technology Team 2017
• Udo Udoma& Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
• Adeniyi Duale – Duale, Ovia& Alex-Adedipe
• Bowmans (South Africa)
• Templars (Nigeria)
• Udo Udoma& Belo-Osagie (Nigeria) • Templars (Nigeria) • Banwo&Ighodalo (Nigeria) • Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)
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Managing Partner of the Year 2017 • ElianeBergenthuin – De Beers Attorney (South Africa) • Fred Ojimbo – Kaplan & Stratton (Kenya) • OghoghoAkpata – Templars (Nigeria) • Elizabeth Idigbe – Punuka Chamber (Nigeria)
(Nigeria) Marian Awele – Marrean&Ass.(Nigeria) Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Law • Chief Bayo Ojo SAN CON FCIArb
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ADENIYI DUALE OF DUALE, OV I A & A L E X- A D E D I P E (N I G E R I A) F I N A L I S T • YO U N G M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R ( U N D E R 4 0 ) Adeniyi Duale has been able to lead a team of three partners to start a corporate commercial law practice in Lagos, Nigeria. The firm has in the last one year grown to have over 6 associates and 4 NYSC and paralegal with over 10 practice areas.He is successful developed new practice areas and worked with other partners to grow and develop areas of practice. He has introduced new information technology initiatives to reduce overhead cost.He has used technology to reach out and market the firm aggressively.
Adeniyi was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2006. He is a member of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and the Energy Institute.He has by way of firm policy created an equal opportunity environment where female employees are encouraged to develop. He also developed a training plan for the associates with both internal and external training.He has shown strength and leadership in starting and managing a corporate commercial law firm in a recession year.
He specialises in Foreign Direct Investments, Energy (Oil and Gas, Power and Infrastructure), Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Business Regulatory and Advisory. He has advised on a number of Energy deals spanning across Nigeria and West Africa. His experience is broad, from negotiating numerous mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals as well as representing clients on several litigious matters. He has more recently advised a client on the acquisition of an embedded Independent Power Plant.
He introduced the firm’s pro bono services affair in criminal litigation services.
Contact 1, Prof. OlagokeOlabisi Street Off Folashade Awe Street Lekki Phase 1 Lagos, Nigeria m. +234 802 320 4725 t.
+234 1 631 2150
a.duale@doa-law.com
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AFRICA FINANCE CORP (NIGERIA) FINALIST • IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR Led by Dr.Akin-Olugbade, OON is theExecutiveDirector(Chief
The Team continuously ensures that the transaction documents
Operating Officer) andGeneralCounseloftheAfrica Finance
for each asset is extensively negotiated and the underlying risks
Corporation and the winner of Africa’s General Counsel of the
in each transaction is adequately allocated amongst the party
Year at the 2015 Law Digest Africa Award, the AFC legal team
best suitable to bear the risk.
is involved in all aspects of the project cycle from inception to financial close, and in aggregate, has over 40years of legal
Contact
experience in Common Law and Civil Jurisdictions. Specifically,
3a Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria
our lawyers are admitted to the Bars in Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana,
Phone: +234 1 279 9600
England, Nigeria, and New York. The Legal team has structured
Email: info@africafc.org
transactions and negotiated the legal agreements which created asset value of over US$3.5billion for the Corporation, enabling the legal team to gain experience in Capital Markets, Transport, Heavy Industries, Power and Natural Resources.
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A LU KO & OY E B O D E ( N I G E R I A ) FINALIST • BA N K I N G & F I N A N C E T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • CA P I TA L M A R K E T T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • I P A N D T E C H N O L O GY T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L AW F I R M O F T H E Y E A R • L I T I GAT I O N A N D D I S P U T E R E S O L U T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • M & A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P OW E R , E N E R GY & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M O F T H E Y E A R Finalist: Property, Infrastructure & Construction Team of the Year 2016 Capital Market Team of the Year 2016 Banking & Finance Team of the Year 2016 Aluko & Oyebode (the “Firm”) is one of the largest integrated law firms in Nigeria providing a comprehensive range of corporate and commercial services to a highly diversified clientele in all industry sectors, including top tier international and multinational clients as well as governmental and supranational clients. Established in January 1993, the Firm has 16 Partners and 60 Senior Associates/Associates, with varied areas of expertise and combined experience that spans several decades in all areas of Nigerian law. The Firm’s principal offices are located in Lagos, with 2 other offices located in Abuja and Port Harcourt. The Firm has tremendous experience in providing legal advice in the financing and structuring of major projects and the operations and activities of local and multi-national companies which span across project finance & commercial lending, notes issuance facilities, amongst others.
It was also named Africa Property, Infrastructure & Construction Firm of the Year at the 2016 Law Digest Africa Award. Aluko &Oyebode’s areas of expertise include: Corporate and Commercial Practice; Aviation; Banking and Finance; Capital Markets; Energy and Natural Resources; Intellectual Property; Litigation and Arbitration; Mergers and Acquisitions; Power; Project/Infrastructure Finance; Public Private Partnerships/ Privatisation; Real Estate; Shipping; Telecommunications and Taxation. Aluko & Oyebode sponsors the Bankole Olumide Aluko Memorial Scholarship where scholarships and employment after the Youth service corps program is conferred on the best graduating student from the Faculty of Law in 3 Nigeria Universities. We continue to contribute to honorable drives amongst which are; National Conservation Fund, Run for cure in support of breast and child cancer, annual support of the Children Development Centre (CDC), Sickle cell and other organizational campaigns in health development. Contact
We have a firm understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements and other practical issues likely to arise during complex and intricate international transactions, which are critical to the success of any legal advisory service.
Lagos 1 Murtala Muhammed Drive (Formerly Bank Road) Ikoyi, Lagos
The Firm was named Africa Law Firm of the Year and Africa Litigation Firm of the Year at the 2015 Law Digest Africa Awards.
Tel.:+234 1 462 8360-7 F: +44 207 681 3402 E: ao@aluko-oyebode.com W: www.aluko-oyebode.com
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Abuja Afri Investment house, 2nd floor, right wing Plot 2669, AguiyiIronsi Street Cadastral Zone A6 Maitama FCT, Abuja Tel.: +234 9 292 1083 Port Harcourt 206, Aba Road, First Floor, Right Wing Rumuola Port Harcourt Tel.: +234 84 759595
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BAKER & McKENZIE (UK) F I N A L I S T • A F R I C A’ S S T R A T E G I C P A R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R Founded in 1949, Baker McKenzie is one of the world’s largest law firms by revenue and the ‘Global Law Firm of Choice for Africa’, advising many of the most dynamic and successful global business organisations through more than 4,000 locally qualified lawyers and 6,000 professional staff in 77 offices in 47 countries. Our clients operating in Africa benefit from our unmatched global network combined with our local market knowledge and relationships with local counsel and regulators. We were one of the first international law firms to open an office in Africa over 30 years ago and we continue to support and advise clients across the continent. In addition to over 100 lawyers based in our local African offices (Johannesburg, Casablanca and Cairo), our clients are supported by Africa specialists from across our global network of 77 offices, and our network of African Relationship Firms. We are committed to working with the top firms across Africa to ensure our clients receive a superior service no matter where they operate. Our shortlist of African Relationship Firms currently contains over 100 African law firms - at least one for each country, however we have also worked with firms outside our shortlist. Lawyers from across our network partner with or refer matters to these firms to meet client needs where we don’t have an office. Our strong and trusted relationships with our African Relationship Firms go beyond partnering on matters - we work hard to help our partners strengthen their capacity and working practices.
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We provide our clients in Africa with an integrated service that is supported by our global reach and best practice aligned with industry expertise and local knowledge. Baker McKenzie is identified by Acritas as the “leading international firm for high value work across Africa” according to the Sharplegal Insight Guide (June 2016) – “Demand in Africa: The Multinational Opportunity” and was the winner of the ‘International Law Firm for Africa’ award at the Legal Week 2015 African Legal Awards. We recently co-hosted a roundtable with the African Development Bank, NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPFF), NEPAD Business Foundation, Nedbank, Standard Bank and DBSA, to discuss getting projects to bankability stage. We are leading the way in addressing financing issues in Africa. Baker McKenzie is a member of the International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) programme. The initiative is a commitment to developing the legal knowledge and capacity of lawyers in African countries and was recently recognised by the Law Society at its annual Excellence Awards. Baker McKenzie hosted its first lawyer from Nigeria in September 2015 and our second, from Zambia, in 2016. We provided training to all 25 ILFA candidates both years on a range of topics.
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B A N W O & I G H O DA LO ( N I G E R I A ) FINALIST • BA N K I N G & F I N A N C E T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • CA P I TA L M A R K E T T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • I P A N D T E C H N O L O GY T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L AW F I R M O F T H E Y E A R • L I T I GAT I O N A N D D I S P U T E R E S O L U T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • M & A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P OW E R , E N E R GY & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P R O P E R T Y, I N F R A S T R U C T U R E & C O N S T R U C T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R Banwo & Ighodalo’s vision is to be “the very best of the best” underpinned by a mission to deliver excellent and efficient legal service. For us, these are not mere clichés. They are the overall empirical guides which we have painstakingly arrived at, for over 25 years; and by which we monitor and consistently develop our practice. The Firm is currently structured as a partnership (presently comprised of eleven (11) partners) and has over sixty (60) lawyers. Our personnel have consistently demonstrated uncommon commitment to excellence in their various areas of practice. The Firm undertakes work for public (listed and unlisted) and private companies, government, Nigerian and foreign investors, financial institutions, foreign law Firms and international consultancy Firms. Members of the Firm are frequently called upon to serve as resource persons at local and international seminars and workshops. For the first time since its establishment, the firm’s Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group is headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, whose elevation to the rank is attributable to her long years of hard-work in the firm, as well as her experience in the public sector as the first female Attorney General of Ogun State. Clients now benefit from her public and private practice experience which is invaluable
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especially in the context of doing business in Nigeria. Very few leading firms in Nigeria have the benefit of this experience. Our head office is situate in the prime commercial district of South-West Ikoyi, Lagos and enjoys proximity to the principal offices of multinationals and leading financial institutions. Our regional office in Maitama, Abuja, is strategically located in the political capital of Nigeria, placing us advantageously in our dealings with government and regulatory agencies. We also have recently acquired an office in Abeokuta. Recent Firm Rankings: We are consistently ranked as the leading Nigerian law Firm in Securities & Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance & Restructuring. We are also always ranked amongst the top project Finance, Energy & Natural Resources and Intellectual Property law practices. Specifically, • The Firm received remarkable Band 1 rankings in the Nigerian legal market, across its Banking & Finance, Corporate/ Commercial and Energy & Natural Resources practices in the Chambers Global 2017 Guide. The Firm’s Intellectual Property was also ranked in Tier 2. The Firm also made its debut ranking in Dispute Resolution; • The Firm received six practice rankings, including tier 1Banking, Finance and Capital Markets; Commercial, Corporate
and M&A; Energy & Natural Resources; and Real Estate & Construction, tier 2-Shipping & Transport and Tier 3-Dispute Resolution in The Legal 500 EMEA Guide 2017. Also, 3 partners were named “Leading Lawyers” while five other lawyers were also recognized as “Next generation lawyers”; • The Firm is currently ranked as Tier 1 in Capital Markets, Banking, Energy, Infrastructure, Oil and gas, Project Finance and M&A,by the 2017 IFLR1000 rankings. Four lawyers in these Team are listed as “Leading Lawyers” and three as “Rising stars” for the 2017 edition; • Our Young Arbitrators emerged tops at the Lagos Court of Arbitration Young Arbitrators Network during its Inaugural International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition which held Friday, July 28, 2017.
Contact person: Ken Etim, Managing Partner; ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com
Excellent minds excellent solutions Practices of choice: • Corporate, Securities & Finance • Energy & Natural Resources • Intellectual Property & Technology • Litigation, Arbitration & ADR Matters • Shipping, Aviation & International Trade
General Inquiries: banwigho@banwo-ighodalo.com Website: www.banwo-ighodalo.com
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BOWMANS (AFRICA) F I N A L I S T • C A P I TA L M A R K E T T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • I P A N D T E C H N O LO GY T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L I T I GAT I O N A N D D I S P U T E R E S O LU T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • M&A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R Bowmans is a leading Pan-African law firm. Our track record of
Our expertise is frequently recognised by independent research
providing specialist legal services, both domestic and cross-
organisations. We have been named African Legal Adviser by
border, in the fields of corporate law, banking and finance law
DealMakers for the last three consecutive years and South
and dispute resolution, spans over a century. With six offices in
African Law Firm of the Year for 2016 by the Who’s Who Legal.
four African countries and over 400 specialised lawyers, we are
We also won the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team of
differentiated by our geographical reach, independence and
the Year, the Employment Team of the Year, and the Property
the quality of legal services we provide.
Team of the YearAwards at the prestigious African Legal Awards hosted by Legal Week and the Corporate Counsel Association
We draw on our unique knowledge of the African business environment and in-depth understanding of the socio-political climate to advise clients on a wide range of legal issues. Our aim is to assist our clients in achieving their objectives as smoothly and efficiently as possible while minimising the legal and regulatory risks. Our clients include corporates, multinationals and state-owned enterprises across a range of industry sectors as well as financial institutions and governments.
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of South Africa in 2016.
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COUTO, GRAÇA E ASSOCIADOS, L DA (MOZAMBIQUE) FINALIST • L AW F I R M O F T H E Y E A R • P OW E R , E N E R GY & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M O F T H E Y E A R CGA - Couto, Graça & Associados is a Mozambican Law Firm. We develop our activities with the purpose of providing high quality legal services to our clients. CGA has legal expertise in the various fields of public and private law, and renders services to companies and institutions, both profit and non-profit oriented, that are operating in the country’s multiple sectors of activity. The Firm is renowned for its experience liaising between private investment and Governmental, within the Mozambican business environment. With 36 lawyers CGA has a strong reputation in corporate, concessions, PPPs, dispute resolution, labour and investment, as well as leading practices in banking, real estate and tax. The firm is also acknowledge as a prominent advisor in a number of industry sectors, including the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. CGA is keen to pursue its vision, mission and values: a longstanding, leading and highly recommended legal service provider in the Mozambique market, rendering state-of-the art legal assistance with conduct inspired on professional ethics, innovation and quality for the benefit of its clients; a firm that values and rewards good performance of its professionals; a firm that is responsive and acts in accordance with public policy, relevant social values and the law.
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CGA relies on a recognized experienced and qualified team of legal professionals. CGA is geared to apply a modern and professional approach in the provision of legal services to Clients. As such, we exercise an open- collaboration and promote an active interaction policy with its Clients. The Firm renders legal assistance based on lawyer’s specialization by core services, enabling it to respond to the legal market needs. CGA favours an active and criterial networking and association policy to foster adequate ways of rendering legal services to the benefit of Clients. This is to assure Clients in general and investors in particular a cross borders legal assistance as well as comprehensive and up to date information and advice. The Firm has an association with Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira, RL and is part of its international network of associate of law firms. CGA is a member of the “Lex Africa”, a unique legal service group with the longer lasting wider network of relationships of the African Continent’s leading law firms. CGA is a member of IsFin, the world’s leading Islamic Finance lawyers.
CGA works in association with several South African international Law Firms responding to local legal needs of some of the most significant international projects being implemented in Mozambique. Couto, Graça e Associados Address: Av. 24 de Julho, nr 7, 7th Floor, Maputo – Mozambique Telephones: (+258) 21 486 438/40 (+258) 21 496 900 Email: cga@cga.co.mz Website: www.cga.co.mz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5265693
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A leading international capital markets team for the MENA region
Camille Abousleiman Partner
Patrick Lyons Partner
Jennifer Buckett Associate
Dechert is a leading adviser on structuring and executing debt, equity and other securities offerings, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and other global emerging markets. Led by Camille Abousleiman (ranked by the Financial Times as one of the Top 10 innovative financial lawyers in Europe), along with Patrick Lyons and Jennifer Buckett, the team has acted as international counsel for a number of sovereign and corporate issuers in the MENA region, including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, and regularly represents leading international and regional banks in their capacity as financial advisers or underwriters. With a long track record of advising on the most complex transactions, the group won the Financial Times’ “European Innovative Lawyers Award for Finance Law” in 2015 and was recently named “Middle East Banking and Finance Team of the Year” by Legal Week.
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D
dechert.com
Because the world is dynamic.
In the global legal landscape, changes come quickly – and constantly. The best anticipate the possibilities, reach for the opportunities and create value for their clients. It takes experience, flexibility and deep legal insight. That’s why we’re honoured to be considered among the best by clients in our industry.
D
dechert.com 27
EL AINE BERGENTHUIN (SOUTH AFRICA) F I N A L I S T • M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R Elaine Bergenthuin is the managing partner at De Beer
intellectual property requirements including successfully
Attorneys. Elaine has a wealth of experience in both
representing clients in patent and trademark related matters
prosecution and litigation of all forms of intellectual property.
before the High Court of South Africa.
She is a qualified electronic engineer, a registered South African
Elaine also has a detailed commercial acumen having applied
Patent Attorney and an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of
her skills in the commercial sphere as an in-house legal advisor
South Africa. She has over 11 years of experience in the legal
for a large multi-national company for a number of years. Elaine
industry, both locally and abroad.
therefore has the unique ability to combine her in-depth, international skills and experience in intellectual property law to
Elaine spent a number of years working at a leading firm of Chartered and European patent attorneys in London, who specialize in obtaining patent protection for software, business methods and related technologies. Here she was instrumental in securing patent protection for the technology developments of large multi-national companies such as Samsung Technologies, Hewlett Packard and Good Technology (patent portfolio sold to Apple Inc.). During this time she also assisted in securing a US$68 million win for Good Technology in the European leg of its multi-national patent litigation dispute with Research in Motion (makers of the Blackberry). During this time Elaine completed post-graduate studies in Intellectual Property Law at the Queen Mary, University of London. She has also acted on behalf of industry leaders in the ICT and telecommunication sectors in South Africa with regard to their
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the commercial considerations of local companies.
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ELIZABETH IDIGBE (NIGERIA) F I N A L I S T • M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R • F E M A L E M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R Elizabeth Obiajulu Idigbe is the Managing Partner of PUNUKA
She has represented numerous clients in matters bordering on
As the Firm’s Managing Partner, she introduced processes,
Attorneys & Solicitors. With 30 years PQE, she is reputed for her
insolvency, debt recovery, corporate governance and
procedures and a management system which has greatly
expertise in oil and gas law, security documentation, debt
corporate rescue including acting as lead counsel to major
impacted on the growth of the firm and its staff and ensured
factoring and restructuring, company secretarial services,
banks in Nigeria in their debt recovery effort as well as advised
better and prompt service delivery to clients. She believes that
wealth management, and general corporate practice.
some companies on corporate governance issues. She has
the greatest asset of the firm is its human resource hence ensures
acted as lead counsel in transactions involving capital raisings,
the firm has an efficient recruitment process, assist staff in their
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University
private placements and as solicitors to offers for several
career progression plan and operates a merit-driven reward
of Benin (1986) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. She
leading Nigerian banks and financial institutions and has
system to keep the workforce happy, focused and committed.
also holds a Masters of Law degree from the University of Lagos
advised clients in their restructuring process. She was part of the
These policies have led to increased ownership spirit and
(1989) and possesses Diplomas in International Arbitration and
team that was joint solicitor for Seplat Petroleum Development
retention of our most valued work force. The Firm is fully
International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered
Company during its initial public offer which involved dual listing
automated and indeed a global law firm. She also ensures the
Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and in Advertising from the
of the company’s shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and
firm engages in Pro Bono matters and various charity projects,
Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).
London Stock Exchange. She was counsel to three major
including helping children with special needs through the
players in the telecommunications sector in the scheme of
Punuka Foundation.
Elizabeth started her career with Chike Chigbue& Co (Temple
arrangement between the liquidator of NITEL and the
Chambers), worked with a Merchant Bank where she rose to
creditors in respect of debt owed to the creditors by NITEL. She
She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb UK),
become the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, and thereafter
has also been lead counsel in various arbitration matters.
and a member of the Executive Committee of the Lagos
worked as a Partner in Punuka Chambers. She was also
Elizabeth is currently acting as solicitor and counsel to a
Chapter of the CIArb Nigeria Branch. She is also a member of
previously seconded to the former African Petroleum Plc (now
leading global telecoms service/equipment provider and acts
Women in Business (WIMBIZ), International Federation of Women
Forte Oil) from 2001 to 2010 where she was the General
as solicitor and external legal adviser to various listed
Lawyers (FIDA and the Advertising Practitioners Council of
Manager - HR, Legal, Corporate Services and Company
companies, providing trainings for their Board on their
Nigeria (APCON).
Secretariat.
responsibilities and helping to develop policies for these clients.
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F R E D O J I M B O ( K E N YA ) F I N A L I S T • M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R Fred Ojiambo is a Kenyan advocate with over 40 years’ experience. His main area of practice is civil litigation with an emphasis on banking, insurance, medical negligence and malpractice issues, land disputes, admiralty, commercial transactions, international trade, construction and environmental law, judicial review, criminal law, public international law claims, employment, debt collection, criminal law, arbitration and mediation. Fred mainly handles matters before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Industrial Court and other specialised tribunals. He has also participated in various judicial and other inquiries such as the inquiry into the Goldenberg affair. Mr. Ojiambo has been the Chair of the Law Society of Kenya and Senior Counsel. He has served and continues to serve as director in various organisations and companies including inter alia, Biblica Africa; Quadrant Services Limited, Bata Shoe Company Ltd., CFCStanbic Bank Ltd, CFCStanbic Holdings Limited, Solio Ranch Ltd, Windle Trust Kenya and Africa Geothermal International Ltd. Fred also chaired the Council of Legal education until early 2017.
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G E O R G E E TO M I & PA R T N E R S ( N I G E R I A ) F I N A L I S T • BA N K I N G & F I N A N C E T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P OW E R , E N E R GY & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M OF THE YEAR George Etomi& Partners was established in 1984 and is one of
Our areas of expertise include but are not limited to ADR & Lit-
GEPLAW Consults is our corporate governance & compliance
Nigeria’s foremost commercial law firms with offices strategically
igation, Aviation, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Corpo-
training unit that deals with training programmes aimed at facil-
located in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. The Firm has rep-
rate Restructuring, Electricity Regulation, Energy and Natural
itating regulatory compliance mind-set in corporate organisa-
resented and continue to represent clients in market leading
Resources & Environment, Government Regulatory Liaison, Intel-
tions in line with the requirements of the law.
transactions in Nigeria by adopting a constructive and analytic
lectual Property, Healthcare, Maritime law, Medical Law, Pub-
approach to the different concerns of our clients, offering ad-
lic-Private Partnerships, Real Estate, Telecommunications, etc.
vice and facilitating the development of their businesses. We are competent to advice on both Nigerian law and the laws of other jurisdictions. George Etomi& Partners is a member of the following bodies: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG) and the Capital Markets Solicitors Association (CMSA). Besides demonstrating our broad competence as lawyers, our affiliation with the foregoing regulatory and legislative institutions means that we are in a position to provide our clients with an unrivalled breadth of expertise. We have an experienced and dedicated team capable of seamlessly executing transactions notwithstanding the complexities of such transactions.
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As legal pioneers, we have been involved in offering unrivalled solutions in the reform of several sectors of the economy including- Banking and Finance, Telecommunications, Power, Oil & Gas, PPP, Aviation, Maritime, etc. As a corporate law firm, over the years, we have rendered professional services relating to Company Formation, Company Restructuring, Mergers and Acquisitions and Privatization & Private/ Public Debt Capital Raising, etc. GE&P Nominees Limited represents the Secretarial Arm of the firm and has served as External Company Secretary to diverse companies, efficiently performing secretarial services and ensuring full compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
For more information about the firm, you may wish to visit the website at http://www.geplaw.com
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J U S T I N A L E WA FINALIST • GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR Justina Lewa is the Company Secretary & Chief Legal Counsel
Recognising that a combination of structure, processes,
• Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM)
of Sterling Bank Plc and in that capacity, supervises various
leadership, and value skills make up effective corporate
functions in the Group. With over 25 years’ experience in
governance in organizations, her legal team has remained
• The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB)
corporate legal practice, she was previously a State Counsel
highly focused, resolute, and positioned to provide the needed
with the Ministry of Justice, Plateau State.
support for the business.
Justina has responsibility for Company Secretarial, Corporate
The Legal Team under her leadership has been able to bring
Governance and Legal Services, a role that requires legal
skills, expertise and experience garnered through the years to
professionalism and business mastery given the complexities
bear on the job thus sustaining and contributing its quota to
and challenges surrounding businesses which have
the bottom-line.
necessitated risk measurement, control and reporting in order to protect margins and capital. As Chief Legal Counsel, she has drafted, reviewed, and advised on many complex transactions and agreements on project and asset based financing, public & private debt equity issues, loan syndications, Power, Oil & Gas, Mergers & Acquisitions etc.
Justina holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Jos and a Master of Laws Degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She has facilitated at Training/conferences organised by the following Organizations: • The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
A significant part of her function also involves negotiating
• International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria
and settling disputes arising from customer/banker business
• Lagos State Public Interest Law Partnership
relationships and employee management.
• Sterling Bank Foundation School
In the ever-dynamic corporate environment, she has optimized
• NBA-Lagos Branch
capacity and transformed from a small Legal Department to
Justina is a member of the following Professional Bodies:
an efficient Company Secretariat & Legal Services Group that supports a bigger Bank which evolved from two consolidation exercises.
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• International Federation of Women Lawyers (Federacion Internacional De Abogadas – FIDA Nigeria)
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K A P L A N & S T R A T T O N ( K E N YA ) FINALIST • BA N K I N G & F I N A N C E T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L AW F I R M O F T H E Y E A R • M&A TEAM OF THE YEAR Having been established in 1927 K&S is one of Kenya’s oldest law firms and is regarded as one of the leading law firms in the East African region. K&S is also one of the founder members of Lex-Africa, a leading network of independent law firms spanning 28 African countries.
Specialists in the following areas: Aircraft Leasing & Financing, Arbitration & Mediation, Banking, Insurance & Telecommunications, Business Establishment, Capital Markets, Computer, Electronic Payments & Communication Contracts, Employment & Retirement Benefits,
The firm, run by 22 partners and supported by a fleet of
Environmental & Conservation Law, Forensics and Due
associates, offers a comprehensive range of legal services
Diligence, Immigration & Private Client, Intellectual Property,
and solutions for domestic and international clients. A number
International & Crossborder Transactions, Joint Ventures,
of our lawyers (in addition to being qualified Kenyan lawyers)
Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation, Power and Energy, Private
are English trained, having gained experience as barristers or
Equity, Privatisation, Project Finance & Infrastructure, Real Estate
solicitors before coming to Kenya. With Kenya’s commercial
& Property Management, Structured Finance, Tax & Stamp
laws drawing on laws from Commonwealth jurisdictions, and
Duty Planning.
particularly the English system, K&S offers clients a distinct advantage in having dual-qualified partners and associates in the practice. This is in tandem with our motto of what defines the firm: ‘global expertise with local knowledge’. Building on our heritage several of our partners are considered leading experts in their field of practice as evidenced by the numerous rankings and accolades received (http:// www.kaplanstratton.com/firm-profile/global-rankings/). Our objective is to provide high quality legal and commercial advice through an efficiently managed professional practice with the goal of facilitating our clients’ business dealings in Kenya and elsewhere in the East African region.
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Kaplan & Stratton Williamson House 4th Ngong Avenue Box 40111-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel.: +254 20 2841000 Fax: +254 20 2734667 E-mail: ks@kapstrat.com
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K E N N A PA R T N E R S ( N I G E R I A ) F I N A L I S T • L AW F I R M O F T H E Y E A R Kenna Partners is a multi-service law firm, redefining legal
experience, our lawyers ensure that the quality of representation
practice to meet the increasing demands and challenges of
and advice to clients is maintained and continuously improved.
complex business situations, dispute resolution, and advisory services.
Services •
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Our practice areas combine an innovative approach and
•
Energy & Natural Resources
extensive market knowledge to enhance work specialisation,
•
Intermodal Carriage
which enables our lawyers to ensure that our clients get the
•
Corporate & Commercial Law
best solutions. We are distinguished not only by the depth and scope of our specialised legal services, but also by our expertise
Contact
in assisting our clients in corporate set-ups and restructuring, as
8, Ogunyemi Road, Palace Way,
well as foreign direct and private equity investments. Our client
Oniru, Victoria Island,
base cuts across public and private commercial businesses and
Nigeria
financial institutions as well as governments and state-owned entities. Our client base cuts across public and private sectors of the economy. We provide legal guidance to our clients in their most significant and challenging business transactions with the benefit of our experience in cross-border trade and commerce. Through consistency in service delivery, diligence in legal research, and cutting edge information technology support system, we are focused on providing solutions to our clients in ways that create value for them. Through meticulous legal research and years of
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Tel:+234 811 395 1053
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M A R I A N AW E L A I J E H ( N I G E R I A ) F I N A L I S T • YO U N G M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R Marian Awele Ijeh, who became Managing Partner in 2014, ini-
and Capital Markets, Share Acquisitions, Debts and Equity
tiated the idea of having an Outsourcing Department devoted
Restructuring and general businesses relating to corporate and
to solely to business development. As a result, her Law Firm has
commercial law practice.
increased its clientele from a standing start in 2014. She attends meetings of Legal/Corporate bodies and also Marian has advised on very many Corporate/Commercial Law
actively participates at such meetings, including that of the
matters and has effectively managed Company Secretarial
Lagos State Commercial Law and Taxation Committee, Nigeria.
matters for Large Oil and Gas Companies and Real Estate Companies. She is an expert in Corporate/Commercial Law
Marian instituted an effective training programme for every staff
practice as well as Intellectual Property Acquisition, Protection,
that works with the Firm. She also introduced annual Staff
Enforcement, Renewal, Transfer and Revalidation of Trademarks,
Appraisals through which every staff is appraised and
Patents and Designs. This she has done for a number of local
encouraged based on input, output and performance at work.
and foreign clients. She has also advised and assisted clients on matters involving
MARREEAN & ASSOCIATES
cross-border transactions and taxation issues. One of such clients is ZITALO INVESTMENT LIMITED which she assisted in
Legal Practitioners, Real Property Consultants, Trademark &
conducting a Due Diligence with regard to Tax Registration for
Patent Agents
its subsidiary company in Ghana. 9B, Ilorin Street, Adelabu, Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. Marian has also advised and assisted in negotiation and documentation of transactions. She has assisted clients with regulatory filings and compliance including all areas of Business Formation and Operation, Contract documentation, Securities
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+234 1 4539473; 234 803 539 4257; 234 817 064 2848
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N I G E R I A N S TO C K E XC H A N G E (N I G E R I A) FINALIST • IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR Legal Department’s Profile
practice experience.The Department’s oversight responsibility
a technology contract for the deployment of West Africa’s first
resides with the General Counsel/ Head of Regulation of The
SMARTS Market Surveillance Technology (SMST); and the
The Legal Department (the Department) of The Nigerian Stock
Exchange, Ms. Tinuade Awe, who is a member of the Executive
compensation process of the Investor Protection Fund (IPF) of
Exchange (The Exchange)is one of the strategic business units of
Committee of Management of The Exchange.
The Exchange.
sustainability of one of Africa’s leading securities exchange. The
The Department isinnovative, and ishigh performance driven. In
The Department has been accorded several recognitions and
broad objective of the department is to provide strategic
achieving its objectives, the Department is guided by a detailed
awards, including the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2016 Capital
guidance regarding the legal obligations and rights of The
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and several policies that
Market In- House Legal Team of the Year, shortlisted for the
Exchange and work with business as a strategic partner.
guides its various tasks.
upcoming ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2017Capital Market/
The Exchange that makes significant contributions towards the
Investment In- House Legal Team of the Year, as well asa finalist The Department is made up of sevenLegal Practitioners and
The Department continuouslydevelop its processes and
in the upcoming 2017 African Legal Awards for the In- House
a Legal Secretary, who assists in secretarial and administrative
adoptscost-efficient strategies to run its operations. For
Legal Team of the Year and General Counsel of the Year
functions. The Department is structured into four (4)Units and
example, the Department implemented procedures to ensure
categories and finalist in the upcoming 2017 Law Digest African
a Function, and currently has three (3) Unit heads and one (1)
that most of the legal tasks (to the extent that the rules of
Awards for the In – House Legal Team of the Year and General
Function head, with an associate assisting all the Units and the
professional conduct for legal practitioners permit) are
Counsel of the Year categories.
Function. The Units are: the Litigation/Alternative Dispute
conducted by the in-house legal team. This isbased on an
Resolution Unit; the Disciplinary Process/Dealing Member Issues
understanding that the nature of legal issues which arise are
Unit; the Capital Market Matters Unit (where the Technology and
best handled by in-house lawyers who understand the business
Intellectual Property Function is subsumed) and the General
and have first-hand experience of the evolution of the issue.
Commercial Matters Unit. These Units and Function are focused on serving different business teams in The Exchange.
The Department has in recent times achieved numerous feats, including: playing key roles in: the implementation of the
The Department is headed by Mrs. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale,
minimum operating standards (“MOS”) for the Dealing
an accomplished legal practitioner with over 15 years of
Members of The Exchange; the negotiation and execution of
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O G H O G H O A K PATA ( N I G E R I A ) F I N A L I S T • M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R OghoghoAkpatais the Managing Partner and Head of Energy and Projects practice group at Templars.An accomplished lawyer with over 25years’ experience in the Nigerian commercial legal space, hehas advised a broad portfolio of clients including foremost Nigerian, regional and multinational businesses especially in the Energy, Oil & Gas and Infrastructure sectors. The firm has more than surpassed his vision of founding a youthful, vibrant and daring team of go-getters and innovative market disruptors. In the one-year period to date, the 12-partner, 72-fee earner law firm that he founded has grown from strength to strength by consolidating its position as one of the market’s undisputed leaders in the areas of Oil, Gas and Power, while attaining new heights of recognition as one of the topmost go-to firms for domestic and International Capital Markets and Private Equity. The Energy & Project team that he leads has been a constant presence on ground-breaking power deals from the time of his advising the Nigerian government in the late 1990s on the unbundling of the now defunct state-owned power monopoly, NEPA to most recently advising the sponsors in connection with such significant and pioneering projects as the 500MW Azura-Edo IPP and Exxon Mobil’s Qua Iboe IPP. He has also spurred on the firm’s other practice areas in winning mandates for and excelling in acting for the issuers and bookrunners on Fidelity Bank’s US$500 million Eurobond, Ecobank Nigeria’s US$200 million debut Eurobond, IHS Towers’ US$800 million debut Eurobond (the largest ever high yield
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Eurobond by an African-based issuer), Helios Towers’ US$250 million debut Eurobond, and the Sea Trucks Group’s prequalifying IPO Eurobond issuance. The firm has also advised the private equity houses Helios, Blakeney and ECP on various Nigerian-related investments, acquisitions and divestments. Over the past years, Oghogho has championed massive investments by the firm in the area of social impact - with emphasis on pro bono cases on behalf of indigent defendants in criminal cases as well as plaintiffs in human rights abuse claims; financial and material support for the sickle cell foundation; endowment of prizes for academic excellence at some of the leading law faculties in Nigeria; and expanded year-round access to internship and mentoring opportunities within the firm for current and prospective law graduates; He also recently spearheaded the firm’s collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation funded NHEF Scholars Program of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation as well as the firm’s support of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF). A smooth operator, Oghogho is reserved, dedicated, astute, restless and constantly chasing after improvement and innovation. He is widely renowned for his superb rainmaking skills and his aptitude for growing and nurturing younger talent. He has over the past years dedicated significant energy to mentoring and empowering a crop of young and vibrant partners who are poised to become the next generation of leaders of the firm, determined to take the firm to even higher heights of renown and excellence.
This pack includes legal practitioners with diverse personal backgrounds and other varying prior work experiences including the Magic Circle, Oil Industry, Investment Banking and Consulting. An accomplished amateur golfer and athlete, Oghogho is routinely ranked in the top tier of Energy, Projects and Oil & Gas lawyers as well as law firm leaders in Nigeria. He is happily married with three children.
Templars 5th floor, The Octagon, 13A, AJ Marinho Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel: +234 1 461 1294; +234 1 270 3982
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S E F TO N F R O S S (N I G E R I A) FINALIST • CA P I TA L M A R K E T T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L I T I GAT I O N A N D D I S P U T E R E S O LU T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • M & A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P OW E R , E N E R GY & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P R O P E R T Y, I N F R A S T R U C T U R E & C O N S T R U C T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R SEFTON FROSS is a full-service law firm with the know-how to
Our strength-based practice is the foundation of the firm, and
Address:
meet clients’ commercial needs. At Sefton Fross, we adopt an
our focused approach designed to harness our people’s
Block 11, Plot 24,
innovative and proactive approach to issues, and offer our
potential motivates them to deliver outstanding service to our
Dr S Ezukuse Close, Off Shakiru Anjorin Street,
clients hands-on advice that is both commercial and practical.
Clients.
Admiralty Road, Lekki Scheme 1,
We are well versed in domestic and international business arrangements, and our lawyers work daily with all types of
Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Our Core Practice Areas
businesses, large and small, to help them negotiate, structure and document their transactions in all forms.
Email: info@seftonfross.com • Banking & Finance • Capital Markets
Our Dedication,Responsiveness and Efficiencydistinguishes us
• Corporate & Commercial
from other law firms.We have a deep understanding of the Ni-
• Dispute Resolution
gerian market gathered from the breath of our practical
• Energy & Natural Resources
experience proffering advice to clients from start-up, contract
• Power
negotiation, employment, liaising with government authorities,
• Intellectual Property
financing, restructuring and beyond.
• Real Estate • Taxation
We provide service to diverse clients, ranging from government, ministries, agencies and departments of government, banks, financial institutions, multinationals, local and foreign investors, small and medium scale businesses, high net worth individuals.
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Tel: +234(0) 1 2770762-3 Web: www.seftonfross.com
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STEPHENSON HARWOOD LLP (UK) F I N A L I S T • A F R I C A’ S S T R A T E G I C P A R T N E R O F T H E Y E A R Stephenson Harwood’s Africa practice is truly unique, and is
Stephenson Harwood’s connection with Africa extends beyond
In particular, the firm has developed an innovative secondment
one of only a few firms outside Africa with extensive experience
clients; the head of the firm’s Africa Group is a Kenyan national,
programme which involves other leading African law firms and
of working on the continent.
Kamal Shah, and a number of its lawyers have lived, studied or
businesses. So far, the firm has hosted more than 50 secondees.
trained in African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, South
These secondments allow the firm to build strong relationships,
The firm’s practice has been active in Africa for many years, and
Africa, Mauritius, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire. They are all
share knowledge and provide training, while giving secondees
regularly advises on key mandates of wide economic, political
dedicated and passionate lawyers, with strong personal
from Africa the opportunity to experience life at an international
and strategic importance across Africa. The group,
relationships and unparalleled expertise across, and passion for,
law firm, headquartered in London.
headquartered in London, includes members from the firm’s
the region.
international offices in Paris, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Stephenson Harwood is a law firm with over 1000 people
Having an international team enables us to offer a full range of
In addition to the firm’s legal work, they are also involved in a
worldwide, including more than 150 partners. Our people are
services to our clients, whom we advise across a variety of sec-
number of initiatives across the continent, which focus on
committed to achieving the goals of our clients. Established in
tors and practice areas.
collaborative capacity building. Some examples include
1875, our headquarters are in London, with ten offices across
secondments to and from local firms, sponsorship of seminars
Asia, Europe and the Middle East. In addition, we have forged
The firm provides advice to African governments, national and
and conferences, hosting industry events, thought leadership
close ties with other high quality, international law firms across
independent oil companies, state-owned entities, banks, high
participation, sponsorship of a best law student prize in Nigeria,
Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. This diverse mix of
net worth individuals and families, and listed and private
supporting charitable organisations such as Rhino Ark in Kenya
expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local
corporations. Our work often requires us to work alongside other
and other grassroots events.
insight and the capability to provide a seamless international
leading African law firms, and we have developed strong relationships with a number of local law firms.
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service.
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S T E R L I N G BA N K P LC ( N I G E R I A ) FINALIST • IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR The advice and counsel we provide to all Units of the Bank is
• The Documentation and Corporate Banking Unit supports the
critical to maintaining the Bank’s commitments to its customers,
Corporate Banking Division by structuring, negotiating and
shareholders, regulators, other stakeholders and to the
executing financing transactions for the Bankand supports other
promotion ofits culture of excellence and integrity. The Group
principal investing groups across the Bank.The Unit is responsible
which is made up of 18 highly skilled and motivated lawyers is
for security documentation and credit review/appraisals.
led by Justina Lewa Esq. The goal of the team is to continuously provide cutting-edge legal services that protects the Bank’s
• The Company Secretariat Unit provides company secretarial
financial well-being and reputation and assistthe various
services to the Board and Board Committees and act as
businesses in evaluating the risks associated with complex
advisers to the Board in the discharge of its duties. The Unit is
transactions and other activities.
responsible for the organisation and conduct of the Bank’s Annual General Meetings and other Shareholders’ meetings.
HOW WE ARE ORGANIZED
They are also charged with the preparation of required legal
The Sterling Legal Services Group is organized into practice
filings and the development and implementation of best
areas that either directly support a specific business or more
corporate governance practices across the enterprise.
broadly support the activities of the Bank. The Group is made up of the following practice areas: • The Litigation Unit oversees the litigation profile of the Bank by handling litigation, arbitration, regulatory and other proceedings that involve the Bank, its affiliates or employees, as well as other matters in connection with proceedings in which the Bank is not a party. They also provide research and due diligence focused on legal, regulatory, financial and reputational risk to the Bank’s businesses nationwide.
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TEMPLARS (NIGERIA) F I N A L I S T • BA N K I N G & F I N A N C E T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • C A P I TA L M A R K E T T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • I P A N D T E C H N O LO GY T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L A W F I R M O F T H E Y E A R • M & A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P O W E R , E N E R G Y & N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P R O P E R T Y, INFRASTRUCTURE & CONSTRUCTION TEAM OF THE YEAR Templars is a leading fully integrated commercial law firm in Nigeria. Established in 1995, the firm has been at the forefront of remarkable domestic and international landmark transactions,becoming an exemplary model for the modern and innovative practice of commercial law in the region. It has admirably grown to become one of the largest Nigerian law firms by headcount - with over 70 lawyers including 12 partners -and a balanced geographical spread with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Driven by relentless enthusiasm and a collective mission to challenge the status quo, Templars has developed a penchant for helping its clients succeed in diverse economic sectors by anticipating their complex legal challenges and thinking ahead to provide efficient, effective and permanent solutions to them. Its clientele includes some of Nigeria’s largest banks, conglomerates, infrastructure developers, power generation and distribution companies, telecommunications companies as well as leading international funds and financial institutions, energy firms, hotel chains, shipping companies and investors. Templars is also highly rated for its role as counsel in some of the largest E&P deals, international commercial arbitrations, power projects and securities offerings in Nigeria.
Templars has a sterling philosophy and belief in a human strategy which places a premium on the talent and aspirations of its people. It prides itself on a carefully recruited, highly intellectual and competitive crop of lawyers who are constantly pushing boundaries through teamwork, diversity, innovation, ingenuity and finesse, and consistently bring their
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outstanding legal knowledgeto the fore - in both domestic and international business transactions. In 2016, these lawyers advised on some of the largest and most significant transactions in the Nigerian market. Some of them include the: • NNPC/Shell Joint Venture US$ 1billion pre-export financing which is so far the largest-valued oil and gas related project finance transaction completed in recent times; • IHS US$800 million Eurobond issuance which was the largest ever high-yield Eurobond offering by an African-based issuer; • US$223 million acquisition of Helios Towers Nigeria by IHS, which was the first ever consolidation of mobile infrastructure companies on the African continent; • US$1.6 billion financing of Lekki deep sea port project, which upon completion is expected to be the largest port in West Africa; • Development and financing of the first ever PPP water desalination plant in Nigeria; • US$1 billion development and financing of the Second Niger bridge, a first of its kind toll road and bridge project; • Seven Energy negotiation of a Gas Supply Agreement and World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) which became thefirst World Bank PRG to be issued in relation to the exclusive support
of gas supply for a power project in Nigeria. Templars has consistently maintained rankings in the top-tier among the leading legal service providers by international reputable legal directories including IFLR 1000, Chambers Global, Legal 500. In 2016, the firm emerged the biggest winners at each of the two most reputable legal awards in Africa, the Law Digest Africa Awards and ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards. Areas of practice Energy & Natural Resources; Banking & Finance; Project / Infrastructure Finance; Capital Markets; Private Equity; Mergers & Acquisitions; Taxation; Internal Investigations, Risk Management & Anti-Corruption Compliance; Litigation & ADR; Telecoms, Media & Technology; Transportation; Intellectual Property; Labour; General Corporate Advisory; Immigration; Hospitality; Real Estate.
Contacts Address: 5th Floor, The Octagon, 13A AJ Marinho Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos. Nigeria Tel: +234 1 46 11 292-94 Fax: +234 1 271 2810 Email: info@templars-law.com Web: www.templars-law.com
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THE NEW PRACTICE (TNP) (NIGERIA) FINALIST • L I T I GAT I O N A N D D I S P U T E R E S O LU T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • M&A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R Winner of the Capital Markets Team of the year 2016 at the Law
CONTACTS
Digest Africa Awards, TNP is a solution-oriented law firm with
Corporate and Commercial
expertise revolving around commercial transactions.
Baba Alokolaro, Managing Partner The services we offer cover the specialised areas of Private
Tel: +234 (0) 8088670001
Equity, Corporate Finance and M&A, Energy and Natural
E-mail: baba@tnp.com.ng
Resources, E-commerce, Business Advisory, Dispute Resolution, Information and Communication Technology, and Intellectual
Website
Property.
www.tnp.com.ng
As strategic advisers, we continually strive to understand our
Energy and Natural Resources;
clients’ respective businesses and industries within which they
Dispute Resolution
operate. This is with a view to assist them in developing innovative, efficient solutions and alternatives towards
Babajimi Ayorinde, Partner
achieving their financial and business goals.
Tel: +234 (0) 8088670000 E-mail: babajimi@tnp.com.ng
Our strength is founded upon our team of result-oriented professionals and our passion for excellent client service, which combination gives our clients, the confident assurance of our capacity to add value to their respective endeavours. Since establishment in 2006, our guiding principle has been the provision of cost effective tailor-made solutions towards meeting our individual client’s needs, irrespective of size or deal value.
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T I N UA D E AW E ( N I G E R I A ) FINALIST • GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR Ms. Tinuade Awe is the General Counsel and Head of
CBN-SEC Joint Task Force on the Intervened Banks from April to
of Law. She finished at the Nigerian Law School with First Class
Regulation at The Nigerian Stock Exchange (The Exchange). She
August 2010 and as a key player in The Exchange’s interface
Honors, graduating as Best Overall Student. She also holds LL.M
is responsible for providing effective leadership to ensure that
with the investigators that conducted the forensic investigation
Degrees from Harvard Law School, where she was a Landon H.
The Exchange’s policies, business operations, and its
of The Exchange in 2010. For seven (7) years, she was an
Gammon Fellow, as well as The London School of Economics
relationships with regulators, its members, issuers, and other
attorney with the New York office of Simpson Thacher& Bartlett,
and Political Science (LSE), where she graduated with Merit. At
stakeholders are in compliance with all applicable laws and
a leading law firm with global presence. At Simpson Thacher,
the LSE, she was a British Council Scholar. She is admitted to
regulations. Moreover, she has responsibility for the regulation
her clients included global financial institutions and capital
both the Nigerian and New York Bars.
of the two primary stakeholder groups of The Exchange, i.e., the
markets players. She also represented regulated entities in their
Dealing Members that trade on The Exchange and issuers that
dealings with their regulators, including the Office of the
Her interests include education, travelling, African art, and
have listed securities on The Exchange. Additionally, she served
Comptroller of Currency and the Securities and Exchange
gender and development.
as Secretary to the Council of The Exchange from
Commission in the United States.
January 2011 to October 2015. During this period, she played a key role in building the governance structure of The Exchange.
During 2007 and 2008, Ms. Awe took time off from the law to
She currently serves as a Trustee of the Investors’ Protection Fund
indulge her passion for education as Anglophone West
of The Exchange and was recently re-appointed to the Board of
Africa Associate Director of Admissions for the African
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria for a second term.
Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, a two-year educational institution established to develop young African
Ms. Awe has a wealth of experience and a solid track record
leaders. At the Academy, she assisted with the design and
across organizations on three continents, including with the
implementation of the Academy’s student recruitment and
United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former
public awareness strategy for Anglophone West Africa.
Yugoslavia, in The Hague, the Netherlands; the United Nations Compensation Commission in Geneva, Switzerland; and top tier
Ms. Awe has over twenty-three (23) years of professional
law firms in Nigeria and New York. Ms. Awe has been involved
experience. She has an LL.B Degree from the Obafemi Awolowo
in major regulatory initiatives, including as Project Director of the
University, graduating as the Best Female Student in the Faculty
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C H I E F B AY O O J O , S A N , C O N , F C I A R B , F N I A L S R E C I P I E N T – L I F E T I M E AC H I E V E M E N T F O R C O N T R I B U T I O N S T O L AW A N D J U R I S P R U D E N C E Chief Bayo Ojo SAN to most of us (too modest to list all his
Society Bill. In addition, he reformed all the investment laws in
a recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order
accolades) is regarded as one of the leading lights of
Nigeria and embarked on the first ever massive prison
of the Niger (CON) for meritorious service to the nation.
Arbitration and ADR in Africa.Heis the Trustee for Africa at the
decongestion exercise in Nigeria. He also advised on the exit of
UK’s Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.He graduated with aLL.B
Nigeria from foreign debts owed to the London and Paris Clubs
He is a patron of the Nigerian Society of International Law, the
from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1977, was called to the
and negotiated a $2.5Billion loan for Nigeria from the China Exim
Nigerian Branch of the International Law Association and West
Nigerian Bar in 1978, obtained LL.M from the London School of
Bank to finance the Mambila Hydro Project, Railway and Rural
Africa’s representative of The Netherland based Foundation For
Economics and Political Science, University of London in 1982
Telephony.
International Commercial Arbitration (SICA/FICA).
England and Wales. He also obtained a Diploma in
He is a past Council Member of the section on Energy and
His quiet philanthropic activities are carried out through CKO
International Commercial Arbitration in London and became a
Natural Resources Law of the International Bar Association, the
Foundation, a foundation involved in the fight against breast
Chartered Arbitrator, C.Arb in 2002. Elevated to the prestigious
Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands,the
cancer and blindnessin Africa. Against this exceptional service
rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1999, elected
Panel of Arbitrators of the International Centre for the Settlement
to the profession, particularly his contribution to the
President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in 2004, and
of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Washington and the United
development of Arbitration in Africa, Law Digest honours Chief
appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice in 2005, his
Nations International Law Commission in Geneva, Switzerland.
Christopher Adebayo Ojo SAN CON, C.Arb, FNIALS with the
contribution to the legal profession and public service is
He is currently the President of the African Users’ Council of
Lifetime Award for Contribution to the development of
undeniable.As Attorney General and Minister of Justice, he
theLondon Court of International Arbitration, the promoter
jurisprudence in Africa.
undertook numerous reforms in the Justice sector including the
and Chairman of the International Centre for Arbitration and
development of eight critical bills namely: Administration of
Mediation Abuja (ICAMA), a state of the art Arbitration centre
Past winners of these award includes, Gbenga Oyebode MFR
Criminal Justice Bill, Evidence Act Reform Bill, Arbitration and
and one of the foremost in Africa, Editor-in Chief of the Nigerian
of Aluko & Oyebode, Chief Wole OlanipekunSAN, OFR of Wole
ADR Reform Bill, Legal Aid Reform Bill, Victims Rights
Journal of Arbitration and Mediation (NJAM) and the African
Olanipekun& Co.
Protection Bill, Community Service Bill, Reform of Discriminatory
Journal of Arbitration and Mediation (AJAM). He is a Fellow of
Laws Against Women and The Elimination of Violence from the
the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal studies (FNIALS) and is
and was later enrolled as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of
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U D O U D O M A & B E LO - O S AG I E ( N I G E R I A ) FINALIST • BA N K I N G & F I N A N C E T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • CA P I TA L M A R K E T T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • I P A N D T E C H N O LO GY T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • L I T I GAT I O N A N D D I S P U T E R E S O L U T I O N T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • M & A T E A M O F T H E Y E A R • P OW E R , E N E R GY & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T E A M O F T H E Y E A R Udo Udoma& Belo-Osagie (“UUBO”) is a full service corporate
description in the rapidly changing world of Nigerian and
and commercial law firm with offices in Nigeria’s key
African business and finance across our areas of specialisation,
commercial centres and an affiliate in Ghana. We work with
which include:
national and multinational clients to create and implement innovative solutions that are designed to facilitate business in
AVIATION
Nigeria and beyond. Many of our transactions extend beyond
AND CORPORATE IMMIGRATION CAPITAL MARKETS COMPANY
BANKING AND FINANCE
geographical boundaries and, where required, are ably
SECRETARIAL COMPLIANCE AND INVESTIGATIONS CORPORATE
supported by a select network of leading African and
ADVISORY EMPLOYMENT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION,
international law firms with whom we enjoy established, non-
ARBITRATION AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MERGERS
exclusive relationships.
AND ACQUISITIONS
OIL AND GAS
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
POWER, INFRASTRUCTURE
AND PROJECTS PRIVATE EQUITY REAL ESTATE TAX TELECOMThe firm’s founding and current philosophy is that legal advice should be of the highest possible standard, accessible, commercially-oriented and consistently sound on principle. As a firm, we have developed a reputation for enabling a wide range of transactions including those that are new to Nigeria, and for generating innovative legal solutions including for issues and transactions that are complex or unusual in our market, within a relatively short space of time. Our goal is to remain a preferred firm for facilitating corporate and commercial transactions and resolving disputes of every
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MUNICATIONS, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Timely & Accurate Advice Practice areas: Litigation & Dispute Resolution Commercial & Corporate Employment & Immigration Real Estate & IP Contact: +44 203 223 0800, Fax +44 203 223 0808 email: info@augustineclement.com www.augustineclement.com Offices: Lagos & London.
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