DLA Piper Africa and Olajide Oyewole LLP form epic alliance

One of Nigeria’s foremost full service law firms, Olajide Oyewole (OO) LLP, last week recorded a significant milestone with the signing of a strategic partnership with international law firm, DLA Piper; the first of its kind.

Under this alliance, OOLLP will have an exclusive relationship with the global firm, with an objective to expand and enhance its legal and business offerings to clients within and outside Nigeria.

Speaking at the ‘Signing’ ceremony, which took place at OOLP’s head offices in Lekki, Lagos, partner, Tunde Oyewole, stated that the alliance was geared towards improving the international practice of the firm to ensure that its practice is equipped to cater to its international clients without compromising its standards.

DLA Piper’s International Development Partner, David Church, who was present at the signing, affirmed this, stating that the alliance was focused on qualitative legal services and a wider range services for DLA Piper/OOLLP’s clients.

He said, “We note the dynamism and rapid growth of the legal sector within Africa and one of the significant goals of DLA Piper Africa is to ensure that the global skills and expertise it possesses is easily shared with partner firms across Africa.”

Also speaking of the firm’s interest in the development of Africa, David disclosed DLA Piper’s vision to take part in the development of the continent by designing systems, infrastructure that support the developmental growth of law firms within its partner jurisdictions. This he said was an important component in DLA piper’s success and growth in Africa.

“There is an increasing desire amongst governments and commercial clients globally to see a vast legal service offerings to choose from within its country/ jurisdiction rather than outside.In closing, David said, “We are excited at OOLLP’s acceptance of our invitation to join DLA Piper’s Africa practice. We have worked with them for several years and we have no doubt that this alliance will bring good success for both firms.”

OOLLP’s Corporate Services Partner, Bola Tinubu, said the formal agreement ceremony will open a window of an excellent range of legal services for both its local and foreign clients. She referred to the signing as an epoch-making event worthy of note.

Another partner, Dayo Idowu who leads the firm’s Finance, Mergers & Acquisition practice, disclosed to pressmen that the relationship between OOLLP and DLA Piper was long standing and was one of the fundamental reason for this formalization- one he notes as the first of its kind.

“OOLLP has worked with DLA Pipers Africa for over 10 years and it became necessary to form this alliance to further boost the service offerings of both firms.”,” he said.

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. With a vibrant Africa practice, and a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers working across numerous sectors and disciplines, continues to establish alliance with African firms.

The firm currently has vibrant practices in Accra, Ghana; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Bujumbura, Burundi: Cairo, Egypt; Casablanca, Morocco; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Gaborone in Botswana, Kampala, Uganda; Kigali in Rwanda, Lusaka, Maputo in Mozambique, Ebène, Mauritius; Mwanza, Tanzania; Nairobi in Kenya; Johannesburg in South Africa, and Windhoek in Namibia.

Established in 1965, Olajide Oyewole LLP is recognised for its market in client-centric innovation and has maintained its position as a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of commercial law.

The signing ceremony was attended by key partners from DLA Piper International and Olajide Oyewole LLP.