Associate / Senior Associate — Corporate & Commercial

Published
-
April 8, 2026

Job Description

Adesokan & Ajayi LP is a full-service commercial law firm with offices in Lagos. We are seeking a driven and technically sound lawyer to join our Corporate & Commercial Practice Group. The successful candidate will support and lead on a broad range of transactional, regulatory, and advisory mandates for domestic and international clients operating in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on corporate governance, commercial contracting, and company secretarial practice.

Reporting Line

The role reports directly to the Partners within the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate & Transactional

  • Advising on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring transactions, including due diligence, transaction structuring, and documentation.
  • Drafting and negotiating a full range of commercial agreements, including shareholders’ agreements, share purchase agreements, joint venture and development agreements, supply and distribution contracts, manufacturing agreements, and service agreements.
  • Advising on corporate regulatory compliance under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020), including incorporation, post-incorporation structuring, and ongoing statutory obligations.
  • Advising on cross-border transactions with a focus on Nigerian regulatory requirements, including exchange control, foreign investment structuring, and sector-specific licensing.

 

Company Secretarial

  • Providing company secretarial services to corporate clients, including maintaining statutory registers, preparing and filing annual returns, and ensuring compliance with CAC filing obligations under CAMA 2020.
  • Convening and administering board and general meetings, including preparing notices, agenda packs, resolutions, and minutes to a professional standard.
  • Advising boards and management on directors’ duties, disclosure obligations, and corporate governance best practices in accordance with the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018.
  • Supporting the implementation and maintenance of proper board governance frameworks for both standalone entities and multi-tier group structures, including those with offshore holding companies.
  • Advising on the nomination, appointment, removal, and rotation of directors and company officers, including the interface between onshore and offshore constitutional documents in group structures.

 

Advisory & Regulatory

  • Advising on sector-specific regulatory frameworks applicable to clients’ operations across industries including energy, FMCG, financial services, and real estate.
  • Conducting legal research and preparing written opinions, memoranda, and advisory notes on Nigerian and comparative commercial law issues.
  • Supporting contentious matters with transactional or regulatory dimensions, in coordination with the Dispute Resolution practice group.

 

Client & Practice Development

  • Managing client relationships and maintaining clear, commercial communication on matter progress, risks, and strategy.
  • Contributing to business development activities including pitch preparation, client entertainment, and thought leadership.
  • Supervising and mentoring junior associates and trainees within the practice group.

Requirements

  • Excellent drafting and legal writing skills with high attention to detail and a structured, professional approach to documentation.
  • Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and communicate risk clearly to clients and colleagues.
  • Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines in a demanding practice environment.
  • High degree of initiative, professional maturity, and the ability to work with a significant degree of autonomy.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior clients, investors, and counterparties.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with legal research tools and document management systems.

Benefits

  • Exposure to complex, high-value domestic and cross-border mandates across a range of practice areas.
  • A collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment within a firm known for rigorous legal practice.
  • Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience.
  • Clear pathway for progression and partnership consideration for high-performing candidates.

Qualifications

  • LL.B from a recognised Nigerian or Commonwealth university; B.L. from the Nigerian Law School.
  • Minimum of 3 to 7 years’ post-call experience in corporate and commercial practice, preferably within a reputable commercial law firm.
  • Demonstrable experience in company secretarial work, including board administration, CAC filings, and corporate governance advisory.
  • Sound knowledge of CAMA 2020 and familiarity with the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018.
  • Experience advising on cross-border transactions or structures involving offshore holding companies (Mauritius, BVI, Cayman, or similar) is an advantage.
  • Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) or progress toward such qualification is desirable but not essential.
  • Call to the Nigerian Bar; membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in good standing.

Overview

Practice Area(s):

Corporate & Commercial

Location:

Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Status:

Application Opened

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