For over 25 years, Damian O. Okoro, SAN & Associates has been a premier law firm in Nigeria, delivering legal services that meet the highest global quality standards.
Exceptional Expertise.
Unwavering commitment.
Success Oriented.
DAMIAN O. OKORO, SAN & ASSOCIATES offers a full range of legal services for its diverse clientele from its offices located in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Its broad client base ranges from local and national businesses to foreign Governments and International corporations. The firm represents its clients’ interests before Federal and State Agencies, in litigation before State and Federal Courts; in Federal and State Legislative matters; and in planning and implementing business and personal financial strategies.
Our firm’s offices are at the city center of Port Harcourt, Rivers State: No. 17 Ndashi Street, D/Line, where we occupy our own personal property: a two-storey purpose-built office complex with all the modern office facilities, gadgets and amenities of a 21st century law office.
We were founded in year 2000 under the name of Enape, Okoro & Associates but was renamed Damian O. Okoro, SAN & Associates subsequently. For over three decades now, we have become one of Nigeria’s leading Law firms with a reputation for and an outstanding record of carrying out critical, innovative and complex work to the highest standards. Our practice is structurally divided between litigation/arbitration and advisory work. We have a top-notch oil and gas practice. The firm has a well-established client base and is growing with Nigeria’s development and burgeoning economy.
As a corporate and commercial law firm, we offer a full spectrum of legal services. These services are structured into two main business divisions:
1. Corporate and Commercial Legal Services, focusing on transactional and regulatory services.
2. Litigation and dispute resolution, focusing essentially on hard-core litigation and alternative dispute resolution in the form of mediation and arbitration.
The following is a summary of some of our legal services:
The firm is predominantly into commercial law practice, and the work of the company and commercial department is central to our activities. Our clients, which include leading Nigerian companies and major foreign corporations, are representatives of a wide cross-section of industrial and commercial interests. The firm has advised numerous business concerns in all phases of their operations. From the initial choice of operating entity-sole proprietorships, joint ventures, 100% foreign owned companies, partnerships, corporations through financing decisions, diversification efforts, reconstructions or mergers and dissolutions. The firm also provides company secretarial services and our expertise extends to the various disciplines that bear upon basic corporate decision making-securities, accounting, taxation, and regulated industry law.
The firm is experienced in providing services to assist foreign companies/individuals wishing to establish businesses in Nigeria. These services include the establishment of wholly owned foreign companies, company registrations, obtaining of business permits, expatriate quota allocations, approved status, pioneer status and approvals for exemption from incorporation under Section 56 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The firm deals with every aspect of international trade, including negotiating and drafting international sale contracts, advising on international commodity agreements, resolution of disputes relating to letters of credit and bills of exchange, debt restructuring and barter and counter-trade agreements, and finance and insurance. The firm also helps its clients resolve trade disputes in and out of court or in arbitration or mediation, and assists in dealing with governments and their agencies. The firm is also involved in representing export credit agencies and advising on international trade credit insurance In addition to advising on Nigerian laws and conducting litigation or arbitration, the firm is able to obtain swift advice on foreign law and to pursue legal arbitration proceedings throughout the world.
The firm provides representation and advice on every aspect of the oil and gas industry and is involved in obtaining accreditation with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (N.N.P.C.) and Department of Petroleum Resources (D.P.R.) for oil companies, traders and financiers, providing consultation and advisory services on tax implications, obtaining necessary consents for assignments of leases and negotiating and preparing related contracts. The firm also advises on licensing in accordance with Nigerian petroleum legislation, and insurance in the Oil and Gas Industry. The firm is also able to assist clients with the negotiation and preparation of various oil industry agreements, e.g Petroleum Joint Ventures, Joint Operating Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding. Production Sharing Contracts, Risk Service Contracts etc. The firm also represents clients before court proceedings, inquires, hearings, tribunals etc. Our experience in this area has often involved defending objections at hearings in respect of proposed oil pipelines, representing clients in inquiries into environmental and other accidents and occasionally resolving communal disputes or oppositions.
The firm’s keen interest and involvement in Nigeria’s electricity sector over several years has given it in-depth experience in a range of work in the electricity sector. It has also produced lawyers who are knowledgeable in securing and documenting the legal relationships necessary in ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and government requirements. The firm is presently playing a significant role in the privatization of the electricity sector in Nigeria, including advising prospective investors on the legislation and the regulatory rules to be adopted. The firm is also involved in advising on the legal framework and contractual components relating to the establishment of emergency power plants to arrest power outages and brown outs in the short term and in the long term development of independent power projects for sustainable power generation Nigeria. The firm is able to advise new entrants to the industry on corporate regulation start-up requirements, as well as on other requisites relevant for business compliance within Nigeria’s prevailing regulatory regime.
This is a fast growing area in Nigeria law. The firm provides excellent representation and advise on Nigerian mining laws, licensing issues and project planning. It has advised several international mining companies on the regulatory requirements governing the entry into Nigeria’s mining sector, including applicable tax regimes and relevant investment incentives. The firm has also dealt with several issues relating to the compensation of mining communities and land tenure rights in the acquisition of mining concessions by prospecting companies.
The firm is experienced in the preparation and perfection of all forms of security and financial documentation for banks and other financial institutions including consortium and individual loan agreements, public and private issues, international project financing, securities acquisition and sales, mortgages, bills of sale, guarantees, debenture, debenture trust deeds, chattel mortgages, equipment leases and debt rescheduling documentation. The firm also provides representation and advise on all forms of security and financial documentation and is involved in acting as external counsel to several international financial institutions and local banks.
The successful resolution of disputes depends upon the clear identification of client’s objective and upon striking a balance between the purposeful conduct of litigation and careful and sensitive negotiation. The firm is continuously engaged in commercial dispute negotiation on behalf of its clients. Its approach towards every dispute is practical and result-oriented. When circumstances dictate, our litigation department acts forcefully and effectively in protecting our clients’ rights by pursuing every available legal remedy. We recognize however, the value of a well-timed settlement and endeavour to resolve disputes in the best interest of our clients. Most of the litigation practice arises from a general representation of its corporate and manufacturing clients, in particular with contractual disputes arising from agency relationships, the supply of goods and services, property related matters (including construction and building contract disputes) employment disputes and infringement of intellectual property rights. The firm represents its clients in commercial arbitrations within and outside Nigeria. With the assistance of its experienced correspondents, the firm is able to bring cases before courts and arbitration tribunals all over the world and with the benefit of a Port Harcourt office, the firm is able to provide on the ground advice and representation to clients situate in Niger Delta area and its environs.
The firm provides comprehensive legal service to ship-owners, their local agents or representatives, shippers, charterers, marine insurers including P&I Clubs and their correspondents in relation to bill of lading disputes, charter parties and other contracts of affreightment, application of the Hague or Hamburg rules, agency agreements and ships sales and purchases. Advice can also be provided in respect of marine enquires or claims relating to general average and salvage. The firm has litigation experience in cargo loss and damage claims involving ship arrests and also in jetty and pipeline damage claims involving ship detentions by government authorities. In addition, the firm is well positioned to offer advice and assist in the establishment of shipping companies or shipping agencies with or foreign participation particularly with regard to the registration requirements of the regulatory authorities. The firm offers advice on the financing and leasing of aircraft as well as on licensing and regulatory matters. We also have experience of most commercial, planning and regulatory problems facing the day to day operation of an airline.
The firm recognizes the importance of the protection of intellectual property rights. Protecting ideas, concepts, operating plans and know-how can become a difficult challenge for many businesses. The firm works with clients to ensure the safe-keeping of internal business operating information, product or service information, works of authorship and advertising including trademarks and trade names. The firm counsels and represents clients on obtaining and protecting copyrights and trademarks and prosecutes and defends patent infringement cases. More particularly, the firm engages in all aspects of patent and trademark services including searching, filing and prosecution, patent and trademark surveillance and opposition as well as transactional work, licensing, franchising and joint ventures. It is considerably experienced in his branch of law, combining its expertise with organizational efficiency to achieve desired objectives.
The firm engages in various aspects of property law including the preparation and perfection of leases, tenancy agreements, assignments, transfers and mortgages, and in obtaining governmental consents and approvals incidental to these transactions. It also has experience in investigating and deducing title and in title registrations generally, as well as the preparation of building leases and agreements and contractor-finance contracts. The firm also handles land litigations, compensation claims and land dispute settlements.
The firm provides representation for business, charitable and individual clients in federal, state and local taxation. Its services includes advising on petroleum taxation matters and the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, sale of shares and assets. The firm acts on behalf of public and private companies and partnerships in dealing with the tax implications of commercial transactions and advising on the structuring of new ventures and other relevant matters.
The firm provides excellent services to foreign clients in relation to immigration matters. It assists foreign clients in procuring and regularizing immigration documents such as business permits, Subject to Regularization (STR) visas, Residence Permit Applications (or extensions), temporary work permits/cable visas, expatriate quota positions and all other documents that would ensure the smooth operation of any foreign business venture and stay of expatriates in Nigeria.
”We appreciate the exceptional service and expertise provided by Damian O. Okoro, SAN And Associates. Their professionalism, guidance, and dedication ensured a sucessful outcome. Thank you for your outstanding support and commitment to excellence, making a significant difference in our legal journey.”
”Damian O. Okoro, SAN And Associates earned our highest praise for their erudite counsel, deft communication, and zealous representation. Their exceptional service and unwavering integrity made them a trusted ally in our legal endeavours.”
”Damian O. Okoro, SAN And Associates exceeded our expectations with their professionalism, knowledge and commitment to excellence. Their expert guidance and support ensured a successful outcome. We are grateful for their exceptional service and highly recommend them.”
”Damian O. Okoro, SAN And Associates earned our highest praise for their erudite counsel, deft communication, and zealous representation. Their exceptional service and unwavering integrity made them a trusted ally in our legal endeavours.”