Recently viewed firm rankings
Recently viewed firm profiles
Recently viewed lawyer profiles
Overview
The Nigerian legal market is heavily balkanised, there being a host of small but experienced firms able to handle complex deals or disputes. Even the largest firms are small by international standards, and there is a heavy reliance on the name and connections of one or two senior partners.
Of the international firms, the UK’s Magic Circle appears most frequently in Nigeria’s projects and telecoms deals, but there are a host of other international firms which also have extensive Nigeria-related experience.
Herbert Smith LLP is a name to be reckoned with, given its extensive global experience in the oil and gas industries. Of late it has represented Mitsubishi and Mittal Energy on their Nigeria operations. Stephenson Harwood has experience its shipping, and is also currently acting for the NNPC on the enforcement of a $250m arbitral award against Ipco Nigeria. Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP acts for Central Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank, and is also currently involved in an ICC arbitration for Lagos State Government.
Canadian firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP has solid experience advising on inward investment into Nigeria under partner Yomi Akinjide. In 2008 he acted for Wood Group, Japanese conglomerate Sojitz and LNG Japan.
Of the US firms, Hunton & Williams has historically advised the government of Nigeria on its IPP programme. South African firms have been increasingly active in West Africa, and Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc is affiliated with Abdulai Taiwo & Co.