Associate Solicitor

Responsibilities:

• Receive instructions for new work and organize matters accordingly.
• Conduct document review and fact-finding, perform thorough legal research, and prepare cases, including drafting court processes and other legal documents.
• Prepare for trials and conduct courtroom advocacy.
• Draft notices and grounds of appeal and motions, and compile records of appeal.
• Prepare persuasive and well-researched written addresses and briefs of argument in both courts of first instance and on appeal.
• Handle criminal litigation cases from preparation through courtroom proceedings.
• Communicate with clients daily through written correspondence, oral communication, and face-to-face meetings.
• Draft wills, apply for probate and letters of administration, and provide private client services.
• Review and draft commercial agreements, ensuring attention to detail and accuracy.
• Incorporate companies using the Corporate Affairs Commission portal and file changes to corporate entities.
• Attend board meetings, act as Company Secretary, and provide advice and opinions on various legal matters, including disputes, ADR, corporate governance, contracts, real property, intellectual property, banking/finance, and taxation.
• Use Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) for various administrative tasks.
• Supervise paralegals and junior staff, manage time efficiently, and plan weekly activities and specific matters.
• Cross-sell and up-sell legal services to clients.
• Develop articles on legal topics to contribute to the firm’s content marketing.
• Plan projects for assigned matters to ensure timely results.
• Negotiate with clients and third parties to manage expectations and drive favorable outcomes.
• Liaison with Government and Legal Institutions
• Coordinate with officials of various registries and government departments, including Magistrate’s Courts, Federal and State High Courts, the National Industrial Court, the Court of Appeal, Probate Registries, and Land Registries.

Requirements:

• A second-class honors (upper) degree in Law from a university and/or the Nigerian Law School, with a minimum of a second-class honors degree in either institution.
• A master’s degree or a qualification as a Chartered Secretary, Chartered Tax Practitioner, or Associate of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria would be an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail, commercial awareness, and excellent command of the English language, with proficient writing and speaking skills.
• A meticulous, well-organized individual with a rigorous approach to research and critical thinking.
• Demonstrated appreciation of risks in various contexts and a strong track record with at least three years of litigation experience.
• Promptness, time-consciousness, efficiency, financial discipline, and client care.
• Leadership experience and the ability to work well within a team.
• A strategic, forward-thinking mindset and an understanding of professional standards in appearance, as this is an on-site position within the legal profession in Nigeria.