Nigeria leads at Law Digest Africa Awards

Nigerian law firms have emerged more victorious in 2015 Law Digest Africa Awards.

The award, organised by Law Digest, is designed to recognise excellence in the practice of law in Africa. With entries from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique, Angola, Tunisia,Tanzania and Cameroon, the Award is the first truly Africa-wide award.

Aluko & Oyebode, confirms its position as the leading law firm in Africa by winning the most contested, Law Firm of the Year award. The firm also picked up the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year. It however lost out to G Elias & Co in the Banking & Finance Team of the Year category. Banwo & Ighodalo consolidates its position as the “go to” firm for corporate transactions by winning both the M&A Team of the Year and the Capital Team of the Year. 

The Nigerian firms didn’t have it all their way through, with AB & David of Ghana picking up the Property, Infrastructure and Construction Team of the Year and its Managing Partner, Isabel Boaten picked up both the Female Managing Partner of the Year and the Young Managing Partner of the Year awards, beating the likes of Dr.Adefulu of Odujinrin Adefulu & Co, Babajimi Ayorinde of TNP, Michael Orimobi of Tokunbo Orimobi & Co and Ola Alokolaro of Advocaat.

The much coveted prize of Managing Partner of the Year went to Alan Keep of Bowman Gilfilan of South Africa. South Africa Breweries also picked up the In-House Team of the Year (Trade & Industry), but the undisputed In-House Team of the Year was Oando. 

Speaking to our reporters, Seyi Clement, the editor of Law Digest and the sponsor of the award said “Law Digest Africa Awards is a brand new concept in recognising and honouring excellence in the African legal services market, by recognising the contributions of individual lawyers, law firms and in-house teams equally. I am pleased that the award has been well received across the continent.The quality of the submissions have been very impressive, which made judging very difficult.” He expressed his appreciation to the judges which included Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, Seye Kosoko of Standard Chartered and other senior practitioners from England, Kenya and Ghana

The award presentation ceremony will be held in Lagos on 6 November 2015 at Four Point by Sheraton.