DOA Partner, ‘Niyi Duale named Outstanding Young Professional of the Year
Adeniyi Duale, Managing Partner, Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA) was one of recipients of the prestigious, 2016 Nigerian Legal Awards which held on Friday October 7, 2016 at the Grand Ballroom of the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Making the exclusive list of 40 leading Nigerian lawyers who are under 40 and who will shape the future of Legal Profession in Nigeria, the young, vibrant legal professional received the ESQ award for outstanding professional of the year.
Speaking about this achievement, Niyi said, “I must state that receiving the award was a pleasant surprise as it was not expected. Such recognition would definitely spur more diligence. I am glad that the award came at this point after spending close to a decade at a top tier commercial law firm. The everyday experience and opportunities in leading a boutique start-up cannot be underestimated and can be quite exhilarating.
Thanking the firm’s clients for providing the engagement and his colleagues for their support, he said, “I am certainly not unmindful of the burden created by this recognition but certainly prepared for the challenges ahead. The future of commercial legal practice definitely has to be structured with innovative ideas thereby creating a disruptive force to move the profession on to the next level.
“I am grateful to my partners who encouraged me to apply and we shall hopefully continue to synergize our efforts in other to shape the future of the legal profession”.
Adeniyi is an astute lawyer with a decade of experience on advising on various aspects of corporate and commercial matters. He specializes 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.
Prior, to his present position as managing partner of DOA, Adeniyi was a Senior Associate with Jackson Etti and Edu.
The ESQ Nigerian Legal awards is organised annually to honour and celebrate the contributions of the legal profession to the country’s development. A number of reputable Nigerians were honored at this year’s event for their cutting-edge contributions to the legal profession and the nation. These include, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, CON, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC); Hon. Justice Dulcie Ethel Adunola Oguntoye OFR., second female judge in Nigeria who is also the country’s oldest living female judge; Chief Mrs. Hairat Balogun, the oldest and first female Attorney General of Lagos and a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Others are, Razaq Yemi Adeola, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc.; Augustine Alegeh, SAN, immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Bayo Ojo, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; and Audu Maikori, President, Chocolate City.
The 2016 edition also introduced the ‘40 UNDER 40’ category which celebrated 40 young Nigerian lawyers under the age 40 making significant contributions to the growth of the legal profession.
Speaking about this development, CEO of Legal Blitz Limited, Publisher of Esq Legal Practice Magazine and convener of the award, Lere Fashola stated, “Since its maiden edition, the NLA has expanded in focus, scope and fanfare, with the introduction of the ‘40 Under 40 category, the Awards has opened a novel chapter in the life of the country, especially by organising a unique platform committed to celebrating impactful and value-added young lawyers who are cutting their teeth in the profession.”
The annual event is focused on the development of the economy through the law.
THEODORA KIO-LAWSON