Law firms increasingly attracted to the continent despite uncertainty

The acceleration of needs is reflected in the emergence and growing recognition of local firms such as the Pan-african Asafo & Co launched by Pascal Agboyibor, the Guineans from Thiam & Associés; Ivorians from Bilé-Aka, Brizoua-Bi & Associés or Cameroonians Amadagana & Partners. International structures are not left out with the growing importance of African issues, as illustrated by the recent appointment to the Executive Committee of Gide Loyrette Nouel of partners specialising in the continent Nicolas Jean and Jean-François Levraud.

These African adventures are often done in partnerships, such as the venture formed by Leila Hubeaut and Ergen Ege. They have chosen to join August Debouzy and their new Parisian premises after working together at Herbert Smith Freehills.

In a period troubled by the pandemic but which sees the emergence of increasingly ambitious projects, the arbitration profession is getting ready for the arrival of competition, including that launched by Emannuel Gaillard and his colleagues, with collaborators Yas Banifatemi and Mohamed Shelbaya in particular. The new firm will be particularly active in Africa as the continent seeks to earn its ranking in arbitration with the strengthening of local courts against Paris, London and Washington.

• To read :
• The Royal Flush on which Shell relies to bend Abuja to Cirdi
• With the Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes structure, Emmanuel Gaillard wants to give pride of place to the continent.
• The African system of the firm Vieira de Ameida
• Jean-François Levraud and Nicolas Jean, the “Africans” of Gide’s new Comex
• How the Italian law firm BonelliErede projects itself on the continent