OUR PROFILE

 

THE FIRM

L&A-Legal Consultants is a top-tier full-service law firm with decades of law practice experience. We are committed to providing top-quality legal services to our local and international clients.

 

Our practice is vast and balanced with a firm grasp of the Law and policies relating to dispute resolution; litigation; corporate and commercial legal services; capital market; media & entertainment; intellectual property; energy and natural resources; project finance; real property; taxation; and privatization.

 

We have Barristers and Solicitors with expertise in diverse fields, supported by other professionals who add value to our practice. Each portfolio is partner-led and suited to serve and protect our clients.

 

IN THE BEGINNING

Samuel Gbadebo Laoye, LL. B (Lond) B.L 1931-1998 Johnson Adedoja Adewopo, LL. B (Lond) B.L 1931-1998

 

The two founders of the firm were members of the Honorable Society of Inner Temple, London. The firm has continued to build on its strong foundation and the significant accomplishments and invaluable goodwill of the founders.

L & A – Legal Consultants has kept the long-standing tradition of professionalism and excellence.

 

MISSION

Our firm’s cardinal philosophy is to maintain a high ethical and innovative standard and to use the law to our client’s best advantage.

 

PRACTICE AREAS

Corporate & Commercial Law, Banking, Finance & Insurance, Agriculture and Agro-Allied, Litigation & Arbitration, Foreign Investment & International Commercial Transactions, Intellectual Property Law, including Media and Entertainment Law, Real Property & Development, and other related practice areas.

 

Our clientele includes a wide range of Nigerians and International businesses, individuals, and organisations with varying legal needs.

 

Corporate & Commercial Law

Incorporation and/ or Registration of businesses and partnerships, Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint ventures, management/Employee buy-ins & buy-outs, Distribution & agency agreements, technical cooperation agreements, employment & labour relations, corporate compliance, formation of subsidiaries and affiliates of foreign companies in Nigeria, Securitisation of mortgage portfolios, debt recovery, capital market, private and public issues, and securitisation, corporate governance.

 

Banking, Finance & Insurance

Advisory on the Financial Services industry, Banking and Finance regulations and practice, advisory on insurance-related matters, claims, representation, brokerage, and intermediation, amongst others.

 

With the ever-evolving and dynamic nature of the financial services industry, our corporate portfolio has continued to increase and respond to the emerging legal and regulatory environment. Our firm has remained on the cutting-edge providing up-to-date advice and services to our old and new clients.

 

Corporate Governance Advisory & Company Secretarial Services

Providing advice and expertise on corporate governance practices; best practices and regulatory requirements. Acting as company secretaries to companies.

 

Government Relations & Parastatals

Advising on the implication of governmental policies and regulations public – private participation, government relations.

 

Litigation & Arbitration

Representation in disputes in general and those relating to commercial transactions in particular. Brief writing, representation at superior courts of record, appeals, Domestic & international arbitration on aspects of commerce, finance, and industry.

 

Our lawyers understand the need to conduct commercial litigation with ever-changing business needs and goals in mind and thus utilize litigation, and ADR techniques towards achieving clients’ goals. To this end, Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration are used when and where appropriate.

 

Foreign Investment & International Commercial Transaction

Advice on investment opportunities & procedures in Nigeria, Obtaining all approvals required under Nigerian regulations and other relevant approvals/licenses such as under Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), National Office of Technology Acquisition & Promotion (NOTAP), etc., Preparing technical service agreements & Contracts including import, export & other trade agreements and documentation, Drafting and negotiating of international commercial contracts, Establishing joint ventures & Foreign-owned and multinational companies in Nigeria.

 

Intellectual Property

Registration, protection, management & enforcement of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, Trade secrets & copyrights, Licensing & franchising, transfer of technology agreements, labeling & distribution agreement, Institution of suits for infringement of intellectual property rights, and Convention applications.

 

Taxation & Insolvency

Tax applications, income, business, estate & transfer taxes, Tax planning for corporations & individuals, Property taxation, Petroleum profit taxation, Liquidations & receiverships, Schemes of arrangement & reconstruction.

 

Media & Entertainment

A broad range of agreements in the media and entertainment sector relating to music, audio-visual, book publishing, and other industry transactions including data protection. Regulatory compliance, Negotiation, and preparation of co-production and content development agreements for film, television, and other media; music contracts; publishing contracts, Copyright due diligence in commercial transactions; Rights acquisition and validation; Procurement and commercialization of media rights; pre-contractual advisory, drafting and reviewing agency agreements, royalty contracts, sponsorship and endorsement agreements, music contracts, etc. Advisory services on issues of breach of confidence in the media and entertainment industry, data protection, etc.

 

Telecommunications/Information Technology

Legal services to telecommunications companies, regulatory compliance with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) requirements including licensing of telecommunication operators & carriers, computer contracts, Advisory services on Legal aspects of Internet services & operations and protection of intellectual property rights in the information superhighway.

 

Real Property & Development

Advisory and documentation services on Real estate development, Secured lending & property financing, perfection of title and collateral, land planning Conveyancing & registration of land instruments, and Land Dispute resolution amongst others.

 

Maritime & Admiralty

All aspects of legal services & advice to ship-owners, managers, charterers, cargo interest, insurers and financiers, litigation and arbitration of disputes relating to cargo and charter parties, insurance and other marine-related matters, collision, salvage operations, personal injury and injury to ships and their operations, investigating all aspects of maritime casualty and oil pollution.

 

Energy & Natural Resources

Advising on the acquisition, exploration, and development of interests in oil & gas, solid minerals, electricity, and water projects. Our services include securing regulatory licences and approvals (including NUPRC accreditation and lease assignments), negotiating with government agencies, financial institutions, and host communities, and preparing project and transaction documents such as JOAs, technical service agreements, and host community arrangements. We also handle compensation claims, environmental impact assessments, and legal risk management across the energy and natural resources value chain.

Legal Research Services

Consultancy service, writing legal opinions, legal input on the corporate decision-making process, conducting studies and projects.

 

Client services & Private Clients

We offer direct and personal advisory services for the private or business needs of our individual clients.

 

 Our P a r t n e r s

O l a t u n d e L a o y e MCI A r b (U K), M A N A G I N G P A R T N E R

B (Maid.); BL; Member Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)

 

Olatunde is a consummate solicitor and expert negotiator at the transactional end of practice. He has extensive experience in corporate and commercial practice and in particular banking and financial service and project financing, intellectual property, media & entertainment transactions, real

property, and more recently maritime administration. He has handled major negotiations, acquisitions, restructuring, and venture arrangements in the capital market, private companies, licensing, and multiple agreements in the media and entertainment industry.

Olatunde served as special adviser to the Chief Executive/Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) between 2009 and 2010.

 

 

Professor ADEBAMBO.A. ADEWOPO S, PRINCIPAL PARTNER

B (Maid); BL; LL.M (Lagos); LL.M

Intellectual Property (New Hampshire)

 

Adebambo has traversed practice across academics, private and public sectors in corporate and commercial law with an emphasis on intellectual property law and policy.

He is a leading authority and sought-after consultant in … A Professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he has practiced law for over 30 years…etc.

 

Adebambo served as Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) from 2004 – 2010.

 

 

 

 

Oluwaseye Lawal (PARTNER, HEAD OF LITIGATION TEAM)

B (Hons.) ABU; BL

 

Seye heads the firm’s advocacy group with extensive appearances covering a wide range of portfolios in Litigation, Corporate, Commercial, Banking, Finance & Insurance, Intellectual Property, Real Estate Matters, etc. He is a consummate litigator with more than 25 years of experience.

He is a legal strategist with an eye for detail and an uncanny ability to see the salient points overlooked by others. He has practiced in every court in Nigeria from Magistracy to the Supreme Court. He has practical experience in every region of Nigeria from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt, from Kano to Benin, and from Lagos to Kaduna.

 

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association (IBA), and Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN).

 

 

 

Professor Ayoyemi Lawal Arowolo Ph.D. (PARTNER, HEAD LEGAL RESEARCH)

B (LASU); BL

LL.M (Indiana University Indianapolis)

Ph.D. (Kent Canterbury)

 

Yemi’s practice focuses primarily on Legal research as it relates to Commercial transactions, Intellectual Property, Public law, case preparation, and consultancy.

 

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN), and International Intellectual Property Law Association (IIPLA).

 

 

 

 

Consultants

 

Dr. Helen Chuma-Okoro

 

Helen has extensive academic and practice experience in the creative and innovation industries. She possesses nearly two decades of experience in academia, specialising in intellectual property law.

 

Helen holds an LLB from the University of Calabar, an LLM from the University of Lagos, and a PhD in intellectual property law from the University of Cape Town. Her expertise in intellectual property law is reflected in her teaching experience, including specialised programmes for creatives. Helen has published both locally and internationally and serves as Assistant Editor of the NIALS Intellectual Property Journal (NJIP). She is currently Associate Professor of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Her international scholarly experience includes research fellows at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, the University of Ottawa and the University of Cape Town. She currently coordinates the Harvard CopyrightX courses in Nigeria.

 

 

 

Ayoade Adewopo

 

Ayoade has lived and worked on four continents, with extensive experience as an in-house Corporate and large firm counsel in diverse business and legal firms. He holds business and law degrees and professional certificates in Nigeria, the United States, and Switzerland and  is licensed to practice law in the United States and as a solicitor in England and Wales.

 

He has worked in the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission, the Law Firm of Ice Miller LLP, The Scott’s Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE SMG), Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) and more recently as pioneer Group Head, Corporate Governance, Central Bank of Nigeria. As a global trade counsel, he has served as special advisor and counsel to global corporations and government entities on diverse transactions, and strategies including corporate, financial, compliance, regulatory affairs, and policies.