Leading African law firms, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO) and Bowmans, have announced that they are taking a major step forward in collaborating to support clients across the continent.
From 1st September 2020, UUBO and Bowmans have entered into a formal Alliance Agreement that will see the two firms working much more closely together. This Alliance will replace the ‘best-friends’ arrangement that has been in place for several years.
With a presence in eight key African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, and over 400 specialist lawyers, Bowmans’ reputation for providing specialist legal services in the fields of corporate law, banking and finance law and dispute resolution spans over a century.
‘There are strong existing synergies between us – in services, culture, values, ethics and professionalism’, says Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner at UUBO. ‘The Alliance gives us the opportunity to tap into the Africa-wide capabilities and presence that Bowmans offers.’
‘I’m delighted with this development,’ adds Robert Legh, Bowmans’ Chairman and Senior Partner. ‘UUBO is recognised as one of Nigeria’s elite law firms. Nigeria is the continent’s largest economy and the 26th largest economy globally. It’s also Africa’s most populous nation. Our Alliance with a firm of the calibre of UUBO is very good news for our respective clients across the continent.’
Having been in a best-friends relationship for several years, the two firms appreciate one other’s strengths and capabilities and have developed a mutual understanding and trust.
Mr. Legh continues, ‘Nigeria has significant potential, but is also a complex jurisdiction from a legal and regulatory perspective. It will be good to be able to work with the team at UUBO to better serve our clients, not only in Nigeria, but elsewhere on the continent.’
UUBO has 15 partners and 72 associates working from offices in Nigeria’s three main commercial centres, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, as well as an associated firm in Ghana. The firm is highly ranked and has maintained Tier 1 status across several of its practice areas, including Corporate Advisory, Banking & Finance, Private Equity, and Projects and Energy.
Mr. Ukpanah concludes, ‘While the Alliance is not a merger and both firms will remain independent, the Alliance also gives UUBO a valuable opportunity to extend the firm’s reach into the African market, in pursuit of our vision of providing pan-African legal services and supporting our respective clients and our people as they seek to overcome challenges and unlock opportunities across the continent.‘
