In this podcast, three associates from Nigerian-based full service law firm Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA), chat to Africa Legal’s Tom Pearson about the firm’s strategy on internationalising its practice. You can never over emphasise the importance of leveraging relationships, says Tobiloba Awosika, a key member of DOA’s banking and finance, mergers and acquisition practice team. Linking up with lawyers, parties, financiers and investors globally, has been part of DOA’s master plan to best serve their clients as the firm focuses on its expansion outside Nigeria. Awosika says while there is an even split of clientele wanting to invest both in and out of Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement has resulted in a spotlight shining in the direction of the continent. It's the large underserved market in Africa that has resulted in everyone wanting to get a piece of the pie, she says. Samuel Abu, a member of the firm’s corporate and commercial practice working in telecommunication, media, and technology (TMT), IP and private equity, reaffirms the company’s commitment to partnerships. He talks about how DOA is collaborating with other top law firms to ensure excellent client service. Abu says creating a three-way channel between DOA, their client, and a like-minded foreign law firm has proved successful in getting quality services. Melody Ibegbulam, another member of the corporate and commercial department, shares her insights on client behaviour with Tom. Ibegbulam says that with the use of technology, clients want to reach as many consumers as they can. This does not necessarily mean that the law firm representing them needs to have physical offices in those countries. “When you have clients wanting to expand, legal services will be their first point of call. You want to make sure that you've covered all their legal bases and they are not doing anything that is illegal in those countries. I think it's very comforting for them to know that they can come to a firm like DOA,” she says. The conversation leads to a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and the likelihood of machines replacing the work done by lawyers. While Abu says AI would not entirely replace transactional work, he believes in a decade from now, the collaboration between both parties will be truly immense. The discussion wraps up with Awosika talking about DOA’s investment in its young talent at the firm.
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