In a transformative appointment, legendary Nigerian lawyer Gbenga Oyebode MFR has been named new ALN Chairman. He discusses mentoring, technology and law, and African firms taking the lead on major transactions
While technology is going to be a key driver of growth and of the way lawyers, clients, and other parties engage, modern-day lawyers must still retain key traditions of the profession in order to best represent their clients, says Gbenga Oyebode MFR, the new ALN Chairman.
“I think our role as senior lawyers will always be to mentor our associates in a way that they continue to apply the law to further the best traditions of the way we practice, but more importantly, using technology such that we can get results faster, cheaper, for the benefits of the client” says Oyebode, a leading Nigerian lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist who has succeeded Dr Cheick Modibo Diarra, with a mandate to advance the alliance’s pan-African vision, elevate strategic growth, and increase meaningful impact for clients.
Karim Anjarwalla, an ALN Board Director and Senior Partner at ALN Kenya, one of the original founding members of the Africa Legal Network (ALN) in 2004, described Oyebode’s appointment as Chairman as a “transformative moment” for ALN on its ongoing journey from a loose network of three East African firms to the leading pan-African alliance.
Oyebode is the first lawyer to lead ALN, after a succession of independent directors.
“I’m happy to be following in the footsteps of all the great leaders who’ve Chaired the Board, who are not members of the network,” says Oyebode. “But I think in a world where we’re seeing increasing cross-border transactions, increasing knowledge around the strengths of ALN, and we’re now going into a world of the African Continent Free Trade Agreement, I think it’s important for our network to resonate among those who are members. So I think it’s a great time for us to be transitioning into not just a member-led alliance and organisation, but that one of the members is represented as the Chair.”
In the days following the news Oyebode was the new Chair, ALN’s ongoing growth was underlined by the announcement that N Dowuona & Company, one of Ghana’s leading law firms, had become the newest member, further enhancing ALN’s West African presence.
The growth and strengthening of ALN continues the marked evolution of African legal practice Oyebode has witnessed since he was first admitted more than forty years ago.
“I think the critical factor is how African law firms have grown in size, in reputation, have proven their worth, the quality of their work, and how we’ve been able to work side by side with international law firms (ILFs) when they show up on a transaction,” he says. “Thirty years ago that never happened. Thirty years ago clients still insisted on working with ILFs. Today, within our jurisdictions, and across the continent, we’re able to lead on transactions.”
Oyebode is excited about how ALN is becoming more systemic on the continent.
“I’m happy, very proud, and looking forward to the role of Chair of ALN, which has become the network of choice, particularly for those of us that do cross-border transactions and are looking for the best and the brightest and the strongest law firms on the continent.”
This article was first published by Africa Legal.
