For over 30 years, G. Elias has significantly transformed legal practice in Nigeria and beyond. In this exclusive interview, we spoke with Managing Partner Fidelis Adewole, who shared insights on the firm’s successes, growth, and contributions to the legal industry. He emphasized G. Elias’s robust international connections and its ability to tackle global legal challenges for clients. Discussing the firm’s unwavering commitment to understanding client needs, which has driven its success for three decades, Adewole also reflected on how the legal landscape in Nigeria has evolved and how G. Elias has adapted to these changes.
**What is the story behind G. Elias, and what does it represent?**
G. Elias is a law firm established in 1994, with a mission to provide outstanding legal services to businesses in Nigeria for generations. We address significant legal challenges faced by our clients, whether they’re local or international, large or small. We’ve built a strong reputation both domestically and internationally for our commitment to excellence in corporate, financial, and commercial disputes and transactions.
Today, our team consists of nearly 100 individuals with commendable depth and breadth in practices such as mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment, compliance, litigation, arbitration, and various specialized legal areas. We serve clients across diverse sectors, including agribusiness, banking, Fintech, oil and gas, real estate, and technology.
**Reflecting on G. Elias’s journey over the past 30 years, can you identify key milestones or landmark cases that have shaped the firm?**
It’s insightful to view the firm’s progress in segments of roughly 4 to 6 years. Initially, we focused on establishing a strong presence, particularly attracting multinational and supranational clients in key sectors. We still work with many of those early clients on significant deals today, which is rewarding.
As we progressed, we promoted exceptional lawyers to partnership roles, creating a multiple-partner structure, with all initial partners still with us today. Our reputation grew with our first Senior Advocate of Nigeria appointment and recognition in leading international legal directories.
In subsequent years, we developed expertise in specialist fields like Eurobonds, derivatives, and real estate, and more recently, we’ve seen tremendous growth and a new generation of leadership emerge.
There was no predetermined plan for our growth; rather, a combination of strategic positioning, supportive relationships, and a bit of luck has guided us here.
**Can you highlight any landmark cases or projects that have shaped the firm’s reputation?**
There are numerous impactful projects, though we often respect our clients’ confidentiality. Noteworthy mentions include our work on the pioneering domestic USD bond in Nigeria, significant arbitration cases, the Transcorp Power listing, and extensive oil asset sales, among others.
**In today’s globalized environment, how does G. Elias blend local expertise with international best practices?**
Teamwork is essential to our culture, both internally and externally. We prioritize being sensitive and responsive to our clients’ needs. Our strong work ethic and professionalism drive our success, and we strive to cultivate the best talent in the legal field.
We maintain relationships with law firms globally, formalizing partnerships that enhance our service. For instance, we’re part of Multilaw, a prestigious alliance of independent law firms, ensuring our lawyers have a significant presence on global committees.
**Considering the changes in Nigeria’s legal landscape over the last 30 years, how has G. Elias adapted, and what future trends do you foresee?**
The legal environment here has dramatically evolved, with reforms aimed at improving business compliance and adaptation to international standards. G. Elias has not only adapted but has also influenced these changes through proactive engagement and education.
With technology reshaping legal practices, we’ve integrated advanced solutions into our work, enhancing efficiency and service quality. We’ve expanded our specialized services in high-demand sectors like oil and gas and Fintech.
Looking forward, trends such as regulatory scrutiny and sustainability will increasingly impact how we advise our clients. We recognize these challenges and aim to remain positioned to navigate them effectively.
**What lessons has G. Elias learned about navigating Nigeria’s regulatory landscape, and how have these insights shaped your legal practice?**
Adaptability is a crucial lesson we’ve learned. Nigeria’s regulatory environment frequently changes, so we proactively monitor new laws to ensure our clients remain compliant. Building strong relationships with regulatory bodies has also proven vital, allowing us to advocate effectively on behalf of our clients.
**How does G. Elias approach corporate social responsibility, and what initiatives have you undertaken?**
Corporate social responsibility is core to our operations. We have a robust tradition of providing pro bono legal aid, having helped over 50 individuals on death row across several states in Nigeria.
In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we recently supported women needing post-natal surgeries and provided funds for vocational training programs for local students, aimed at equipping them with essential skills.
**Reflecting on 30 years of G. Elias, what core values have fueled your success, and how will you maintain them moving forward?**
Our enduring commitment to teamwork, responsiveness, continuous improvement, creativity, and integrity has been pivotal in our success. These values will continue to guide us as we grow.
We maintain utmost transparency with clients and colleagues, fostering trust and strong relationships. By tailoring our solutions to meet our clients’ distinct challenges, we can ensure their needs are at the forefront of our services.
**What are G. Elias’s strategic priorities for the next decade, particularly regarding expansion and client engagement?**
Looking ahead, we aim to continue providing top-tier legal services to demanding business clients. Our strategic focus will be on expanding our specialist areas, attracting top legal talent, and enhancing our client interactions.
We are committed to understanding our clients’ unique challenges and will refine our services based on their feedback. We see vast opportunities to grow our footprint and deepen our practice areas, and we’re excited about what the future holds.
**To conclude, how have core values shaped your journey, and how will they influence your direction moving forward?**
Our adherence to teamwork, creativity, responsiveness, ethics, and continual improvement has guided us through our journey. These values are foundational to our practice and will continue to be integral as we evolve. From the start, our commitment to professionalism and integrity has defined our approach, ensuring we build lasting relationships based on trust and support.
