Partner – Business Leader

Responsibilities:

Client Advisory and Representation:

• Leading and advising on complex and high-value financial transactions, including syndicated and bilateral lending, leveraged finance, acquisition finance, asset finance, structured finance, and real estate finance.
• Acting as the primary relationship partner for key banking and finance clients, providing strategic, solution-oriented advice aligned with client objectives.
• Overseeing transaction execution, ensuring quality, commercial practicality, and timely delivery of advice and documentation.
• Representing the firm in negotiations with lenders, borrowers, sponsors, regulators, and other stakeholders. 
  

Trade Finance Leadership

• Providing senior-level advice on structured trade finance transactions, including pre- and post-shipment financing, letters of credit, receivables financing, warehouse financing, trading contracts and security structures.
• Advising and representing a broad range of market participants, including commercial banks, commodity trading companies, export credit agencies, and development finance institutions.
• Driving innovation and best practices in trade finance solutions within the Nigerian and regional markets.
  

Project Finance and Structured Transactions

• Leading legal advisory on large-scale and complex project finance transactions across key sectors.
• Advising on financing structures, inter-creditor arrangements, construction and EPC contracts, offtake agreements, guarantees, and comprehensive security packages.
• Identifying, assessing, and managing legal, regulatory, and commercial risks, delivering pragmatic solutions that balance risk and commercial objectives.
  

Practice Development and Business Growth

• Driving business development initiatives, including originating new mandates, expanding existing client relationships, and identifying cross-selling opportunities across the firm.
• Contributing to the strategic growth of the Banking and Finance practice, including market positioning, sector focus, and service innovation.
• Meeting agreed revenue, billing, and profitability targets consistent with partnership expectations.
  

Banking and Financial Regulatory Advisory

• Providing strategic advice on compliance with Nigeria’s banking and financial services regulatory framework, including CBN regulations, foreign exchange controls, risk management requirements and fintech regulation.
• Advising clients on regulatory change, enforcement trends, and emerging issues affecting banking and financial markets.
• Engaging with regulators and industry stakeholders where appropriate to support client interests.
  

Thought Leadership and Market Profile

• Leading the firm’s thought leadership efforts in banking and finance through publications, client briefings, industry presentations, and conference speaking engagements.
• Enhancing the firm’s brand and reputation as a leading banking and finance practice in Nigeria and the wider region.
  

People Leadership and Team Development

• Providing leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to Senior Associates, Associates, and trainees.
• Building a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative team culture aligned with the firm’s values.
• Playing an active role in talent development, performance management, and succession planning within the practice.

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and B.L from a recognized institution.
• Postgraduate qualification (LL.M or equivalent) in Banking & Finance Law,
• Commercial Law, or a related discipline, is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 12-15 years post-call experience in banking and finance law, with
• significant experience at the partner or senior leadership level in a top-tier law
• firm or reputable financial services institution.
• Experience or exposure to cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional deal teams.
• Professional certifications in finance or related disciplines (e.g., CFA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent).
• Financial Legal Expertise: Demonstrates deep and authoritative knowledge of banking and finance law, financial instruments, transaction structures, and Nigeria’s banking, foreign exchange, and financial services regulatory framework.
• Transactional Leadership, Drafting & Negotiation: Leads, structures, drafts, and negotiates complex and high-value finance transactions, exercising sound judgment and commercial pragmatism while protecting client and firm interests.
• Commercial Acumen: Delivers commercially astute legal advice that aligns with client business objectives, sector dynamics, and evolving market and regulatory realities.
• Client Relationship Ownership: Acts as a trusted advisor and primary relationship partner, building long-term client relationships, anticipating client needs, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Leadership & Team Management: Provides strategic leadership across deal teams, mentors and develops senior and junior lawyers, and fosters a high-performance, collaborative, and accountable practice culture.
• Collaboration & Cross-Practice Integration: Works seamlessly across multidisciplinary teams, including tax, dispute resolution, capital markets, and corporate governance, to deliver integrated and value-driven solutions.
• Risk Management & Quality Assurance: Ensures compliance with internal risk management frameworks, professional standards, and documentation protocols, maintaining the highest levels of quality control and ethical practice.
• Practice Growth, Innovation & Market Leadership: Drives business development, contributes to thought leadership, identifies emerging opportunities, and actively supports the strategic growth and innovation of the Banking & Finance practice.