The top law firms in Nigeria have been catalogued into our database. In response to the request of some readers, we will be sharing with you the top law firms in Nigeria (2021).
Additionally, we will provide the different ways to contact these laws firms.
Are you a law graduate seeking to start off your career in the most prominent law firms in Nigeria?
Or are you an undergrad who simply want to know the top law firms in Nigeria, so as to inspire you and strengthen your dedication to your studies?
Perhaps, you are a potential client seeking the services of geniuses in the field of law, and as a result you wish know the top law firms in Nigeria.
Irrespective of the reasons why you want to know the top law firms in Nigeria, you just found a reliable source to get this information.
Zerofy.ng employs the expertise of specialists who are trained to ascertain, verify and provide reliable contents in order to permit informed judgement.
Before we delve into providing you with top law firms in Nigeria, let’s take a quick look at an overview of law firms in Nigeria.
An Overview of Law Firms in Nigeria
As at June 2021, there’s an estimate of 2,900 registered law firms in Nigeria.
Since the Nigerian law school was founded in 1962, it has trained over 110,000 lawyers in Nigeria. And over 720 lawyers have become Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The average salary of a lawyer is ₦50,000 per month, which is ₦600,000 per annum. However, the top law firms in Nigeria will most certainly pay amount above the national average.
What Is a Law Firm?
A law firm is a business entity that comprises of a group lawyers who work together using a single firm name.
Law firms can have as few as two lawyers or as many as a hundred or more lawyers.
A law firm can be owned by one lawyer or a partnership of laywers. Its main focus can be on specific kinds of law or a variety of general law cases.
Data entry specialists, case file managers, litigation secretaries and a private investigator could also be employees of a law firm.
Top Law Firms in Nigeria
There a good number of high paying law firms in Nigeria. These firms are prominent figures in the Nigerian legal profession, recording series of court rulings in their favour.
As a young lawyer, it may be challenging to meet up with the standards of these law firms.
However, you’d learn a lot from the geniuses employed by these law firms. Of course, your pockets would also benefit from the robust salary given to their staffs.
Top Nigerian law firms are usually established by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) with offices in Maitama, Abuja; Lagos island and other major cities in Nigeria.
There are other reasons why these law firms are the best legal chambers in the country. The prominent of them all is the array of intelligent attorneys and other resources available to them.
Note: The list below is in alphabetical order, thus it isn’t based on the salary structure of the firms.
The top law firms in Nigeria are;
| Rank | Top Law Firms in Nigeria | No. of Lawyers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdulai, Taiwo & Co. | 49 |
| 2 | ACAS-Law | 71 |
| 3 | AELEX | 84 |
| 4 | Ajumogobia & Okeke | 49 |
| 5 | Aluko & Oyebode | 155 |
| 6 | Banwo & Ighodalo | 115 |
| 7 | F.O. Akinrele & Co. | 61 |
| 8 | G. Elias & Co. | 60 |
| 9 | Ikeyi Shittu & Co. | 20 |
| 10 | J-K Gadzama LLP | 57 |
| 11 | Jackson, Etti & Edu | 64 |
| 12 | Olaniwun Ajayi LP | 102 |
| 13 | Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore | 15 |
| 14 | Templars | 110 |
| 15 | Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie | 87 |
| 16 | Wole Olanipekun & Co. | 45 |
In the above list you’ll find top 10 law firms in Nigeria and more. Now, lets give attention to each of these law firms stated above to see their contact details and other relevant information about these top tier law firms.
1. Abdulai, Taiwo & Co.
| Firm Name | Abdulai, Taiwo & Co. |
| Phone Number | +234 1 279 0737 +234 1 279 0738 +234 705 268 1536 |
| law@abdulaitaiwo.com | |
| Website | www.abdulaitaiwo.com |
| Address | Goodwill House, 278 Ikorodu Road, Yaba, Lagos Nigeria. |
| Postal Address | PO Box 536 |
| Managing Partners | • Ladi Taiwo • Akin Osinbajo |
| Number of Lawyers | 49 |
| Category | Top Law Firm in Nigeria |
Abdulai, Taiwo & Co. is a top tier law firm in Lagos. It maintains an impressive catalogue of prestigious international clients and prominent firms in Africa. It has a reputation for excellence.
Abdulai, Taiwo & Co. was established in 1976 as a full service commercial and IP law firm. Abdulai, Taiwo & Co. is also known as ATC.
The firm has been recommended by several global rating agencies as one of the best law firms in Nigeria.
Recommendations
Some global rating agencies that recommends Abdulai, Taiwo & Co. includes;
- IFLR: 1000
- Legal 500 (EMEA)
- Who’s Legal
- Chambers Global
2. ACAS-Law (Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun)
| Firm Name | ACAS-Law |
| Phone Number | +234 8 446 3438 +234 1 460 5271 +234 1 462 2094 |
| Fax | +234 1 461 3140 |
| acas@acas-law.com | |
| Website | acas-law.com |
| Head Office | Amazing Grace Plaza, 52 Emekuku Street, D-Line, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Branch Address | 9th Floor, St Nicholas House, 26 Catholic Mission Street, Falomo, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Postal Address | P.O. Box 55285 |
| Number of Partners | 9 |
| Number of Lawyers | 71 |
| Category | Top Law Firm in Nigeria Popular Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Litigation & ADR, Banking and Finance Commercial Arbitration, Corporate Governance & Compliance, Corporate/Commercial, Company Secretarial, Foreign Investment, Energy & Natural Resources, Real Estate, M&A, Shipping and Maritime, Tax and Telecomm. |
| Subsidiary | ADCAX Nominees Limited |
Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun, best known as ACAS- Law, is a reputable commercial law firm.
Sola Adepetun and his business partner Afolabi Caxton-Martins founded the law firm in 1991 and it is no doubt a top law firm in Nigeria.
Since then it has had a vision to become a leading law firm in Africa. The firm is known for its ability to foresee and prepare in advance for impending legal framework and government policies.
ACAS-Law provides practical and specialized solutions to complex legal problems within the shortest possible time.
The three decades old legal firm has a lot its name and is definitely one of the top law firms in Nigeria.
ACAS-Law is highly rated by clients for the high quality of services it renders and this reputation has been maintained for years.
From the table above it is evident that ACAS-Law offers a wide range of legal services which is carried out by intelligent lawyers.
3. AELEX
| Firm Name | ǼLEX |
| Phone Number | +234 1 461 7321 3 |
| lagos@aelex.com | |
| Website | www.aelex.com |
| Head Office | 4th Floor, Marble House, 1 Kingsway Road, Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Branch Address | 2nd Floor, Vanguard House 21 Independence Avenue, Accra, Ghana |
| Partners | • Funke Adekoya, SAN • Soji Awogbade, FEI • Lawrence Fubara Anga • Theophilus Emuwa • Olanipekun Orewale • Olusina Sipasi • Chinyerugo Ugoji • Davidson Oturu • Ngozi Efobi • Perenami Momodu |
| Number of Lawyers | 84 |
| Category | Top Law Firm in Nigeria Popular Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Dispute Resolution, Corporate/Commercial, Taxation, Energy & Natural Resources, Transportation, Banking & Finance, Labour & Employment, TMT & IP, Agriculture, Environment, Telecomm, Mining, Aviation, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Maritime, Intellectual Property, Infrastructure, Foreign Direct Investment, Capital Markets, Business Fraud, Business Re-organisation and Insolvency |
ǼLEX, founded in 2004, is a top law firm in Lagos state, and amongst the best law firms in Nigeria.
In 2019, Chambers Global stated that the firm has lawyers who are experts in a variety of general law cases. The fim has a good number of attorneys as staffs.
ǼLEX gained its popularity after a merge in 2004. The firm renders services in commercial & dispute resolution law. IFLR: 1000 rates ǼLEX as a top tier firm in Nigeria.
ǼLEX is also a high paying Nigerian law firm that treats its employees with lots of bonuses and incentives. It is rated highly by clients across the country due to the quality of services it provides.
Recommendations
Some global rating agencies that recommends ǼLEX includes;
- IFLR: 1000
- Legal 500 (EMEA)
- Who’s Legal
- Chambers Global
4. Ajumogobia & Okeke
| Firm Name | Ajumogobia & Okeke |
| Phone Number | +234 1 462 2688 +234 1 271 9368 9 |
| ao@ajumogobiaokeke.com | |
| Website | www.ajumogobiaokeke.com |
| Head Office | Sterling Towers, 2nd Floor, 20, Marina Lagos, Lagos State 100221, NG |
| Branch Address | UAC Complex Plot 272/273, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, NG |
| Branch Address | Sapphire House, 39 Wogu Street, D/Line, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, NG |
| Partners | • Odein Ajumogobia, SAN • Babatunde A. Sodipo • Patrick A. Osu |
| Number of Lawyers | 49 |
| Category | Top Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Commercial and Business Crime, Power, Oil & Gas, Mining, Tax and Foreign Investment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Intellectual Property, Infrastructure, Commercial Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Aircraft Finance and Aviation, Maritime and Shipping |
Ajumogobia & Okeke, also known as A&O, is one of the oldest law firms in Nigeria. It was founded in 1984 by Ajumogobia SAN and C. Nonyelum Okeke.
Since its inception the firm and its partners have been recipients of prestigious legal awards and honours. Of course, Ajumogobia & Okeke is one of the top law firms in Nigeria.
Ajumogobia & Okeke has its branches in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt. It is amongst the high paying law firms in Nigeria and has a good record for winning cases.
A&O branches across the country are fully equipped with top-notch IT system, comprehensive law libraries and qualified paralegal and research support teams.
A&O has a reputation for having an elaborate knowledge of several business and commercial sectors, as depicted in the table above.
5. Aluko & Oyebode
| Firm Name | Aluko & Oyebode |
| Phone Number | +234 1 462 8360-71 +234 703 192 2607 +234 9 292 1083 |
| Fax | +44 207 681 3402 |
| ao@aluko-oyebode.com | |
| Website | www.aluko-oyebode.com |
| Head Office | 1 Murtala Muhammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Branch Address | 3rd Floor, Plot 173, Sani Abacha Road, GRA, Phase III, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria |
| Branch Address | Afri Investment House, 2nd Floor, Right Wing No. 50, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria |
| Postal Address | P.O. Box 3932 |
| Number of Partners | 17 |
| Number of Lawyers | 155 |
| Category | Best Law Firm in Nigeria Popular Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Competition & Anti-Trust, Corporate Services, Corporate Governance and Compliance, Employment, Immigration and Incentives, Energy and Natural Resources, Financial Institutions Advisory, Infrastructure Finance and PPP, Intellectual Property, International Trade, Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Risk Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Privatisation & Public Procurement, Real Estate, Tax, Telecomm., Media, Entertainment & Technology, Venture Technology & Emerging Growth Companies, and White Collar & Investigation. |
| Client Profile | • Unilever Plc • Skyway Aviation Handling Company • Access Bank Plc • Beloxxi Industries • Guinness Nigeria • Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation • Standard Advisory London Ltd • International Flavours and Fragrances • IHS Netherlands Holdco B.V. • Union Bank of Nigeria Plc • FBN Microfinance Bank • Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria |
Aluko & Oyebode is the leading law firm in Nigeria. It offers legal services to national and multi-national companies and clients across varoius business and commercial sectors.
Aluko & Oyebode has been consistently rated high by clients and ranking entities around the world.
The Nigerian law firm won the African Legal Award earlier this year. This is just one of the many awards it has a recipient of since its inception in 1993.
Hence, we wouldn’t be exaggerating by saying Aluko & Oyebode is one of the top law firms in Nigeria, or arguably the best law firm in Nigeria.
Perhaps, you might object to the premise. However, you do know that Aluko & Oyebode has been on a winning streak on legal cases.
The founder and Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode, Gbenga Oyebode, has been in corporate and commercial practice for over 35 years.
During this period, he has been a mediator of complex commercial agreements in several business and commercial sectors. He has immensely contributed to the success of the firm, thus making it one of the top tier laws firms in Nigeria.
Recommendations
Some global rating agencies that recommends Aluko & Oyebode includes;
- IFLR: 1000
- Legal 500 (EMEA)
- Who’s Legal
- Chambers Global
6. Banwo & Ighodalo
| Firm Name | Banwo & Ighodalo |
| Phone Number | +234 906 000 3561 +234 906 000 3562 +234 805 087 5883 +234 809 271 4452 +234 902 052 4921 |
| Fax | +234 9 291 2127 |
| banwigho@banwo-ighodalo.com | |
| Website | www.banwo-ighodalo.com |
| Head Office | Awolowo Road, SW Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. |
| Branch Address | Ground Floor (Left Wing), Afri-Investment House, Plot 2669, Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria. |
| Partners | • Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN • Asue Ighodalo • Ayotunde Owoigbe • Azeezah Muse-Sadiq • Femi Olubanwo • Isa Alade • Kehinde Ojuawo • Ken Etim • Olumide Osundolire • Seyi Bella • Stella Duru • Toyin Bashir |
| Number of Lawyers | 115 |
| Category | Best Law Firm in Nigeria Popular Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Project Finance, Restructuring and Insolvency, Banking and Finance, Energy & Natural Resources, Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution Shipping, Aviation & International Trade |
| Client Profile | • Unilever Nigeria Plc • Access Bank Plc • MTN Nigeria • Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc • Dangote Cement Plc • Federal Government of Nigeria • FirstRand Merchant Bank of South Africa |
Banwo & Ighodalo is another firm that has earned the title ‘top law firm in Nigeria.
Banwo & Ighodalo was founded on 1st February, 1991 by Femi Olubanwo & Asue Ighodalo and its amongst the top 10 law firms in Nigeria
This firm is a very popular law firm in Nigeria for several reasons. It holds a good reputation amongst clients and it is known to be a high paying firm in Nigeria.
As a young graduate you are likely to receive an incentive amounting to ₦70,000 or even more. Banwo & Ighodalo has an organizational structure that appreciates and employees the services of young lawyers.
7. F.O. Akinrele & Co.
| Firm Name | F.O. Akinrele & Co. |
| Phone Number | +234 1 463 0470 +234 1 463 0472 +234 1 463 0283 |
| Fax | +234 1 463 0473 |
| Info@foakinrele.com | |
| Website | www.foakinrele.com |
| Head Office | 188 Awolowo Road, SW Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Partners | • Adamu Usman • Ademola Akinrele, SAN • Adedolapo Akinrele, SAN • Joachim Okere • Olumide Aju |
| Number of Lawyers | 61 |
| Category | Top tier Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Business Law, Banking & Finance, Commercial Law, Contracts Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Industry Admiralty & Maritime, Aviation Law Science & Technology, Intellectual Property, Litigation Arbitration, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Car Accident, Real Estate, Property Law |
8. G. Elias & Co.
| Firm Name | G. Elias & Co. |
| Phone Number | +234 1 460 7890 +234 1 280 6970 +234 1 888 8881 |
| gelias@gelias.com | |
| Website | www.gelias.com |
| Head Office | 6 Broad Street, Lagos Island, Nigeria |
| Branch Address | 2nd Floor, Abia House, Plot 979, First Avenue, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District Abuja. |
| Partners | • Fidelis Adewole • Gbolahan Elias • Segun Omoregie • Fred Onuobia |
| Number of Lawyers | 60 |
| Category | Top Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Asset Finance, Banking, Capital Markets: Debt & Equity, Competition, Financial Restructuring, Financial Services Regulatory, Investment Funds, M&A, PPP/PFI, Private Equity, Private Equity Funds, Project Development, Project Finance, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Funds, Restructuring, and Insolvency, Structured Finance & Securitisation, and Trade Finance |
G. Elias & Co. is a popular firm in Nigeria, and is respected for the quality of legal service they offer to clients. This group is well-equipped with legal knowledge in variety of business sectors.
9. Ikeyi Shittu & Co.
| Firm Name | Ikeyi Shittu & Co. |
| Phone Number | +234 1 632 3430 |
| Fax | +234 1 461 5918 |
| info@ikeyiarifayan.com sarifayan@ikeyiarifayan.com | |
| Website | isc.ng |
| Head Office | 1st Floor, 21 Boyle St, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Branch Address | Plot 50, Liberty Estate Independence Layout, Enugu, Nigeria |
| Partners | • Nduka Ikeyi • Sam Orji • Taofeek Shittu |
| Number of Lawyers | 20 |
| Category | Top tier law firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Project Finance & Development, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Agriculture, Solid Minerals, Corporate & Investment, Private Equity, Banking & Finance, Fintech, PPP, Taxation, M & A, Oil & Gas, Real Estate |
Ikeyi Shittu & Co. offers timely business and legal advisory to clients in diverse industries. This group has government agencies, conglomerates, and some indigenous banks as clients.
Ikeyi Shittu & Co., founded 2005, is known for its professionalism, in-depth knowledge in infrastructure, healthcare, corporate and investment law, as well as taxation, finance and technology.
The firm has therefore reached the ranks of the top tier law firms in Nigeria.
10. J-K Gadzama LLP
| Firm Name | J-K Gadzama LLP |
| Phone Number | +234 9 623 3600 |
| info@j-kgadzamallp.com | |
| Website | j-kgadzamallp.com |
| Head Office | J-K Gadzama Court, Plot 1805, Damaturu Cres, By Kabo Way, Off Ahmadu Bellow Way, Abuja, Nigeria |
| Branch Office | 15b Circular Road, Near Nigeria Air Force Officer’s Mess, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria |
| Branch Office | Union Marble House, Falomo, SW Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Nigeria |
| London Address | Great James Street Chambers, London, London WCIN 3HD, GB |
| Branch Office | Duplex No.1, No.22, Okoroji Str., D/Line, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State 12395, Nigeria |
| U.S. Address | 4501, San Mellina Drive, Cocounut Creek, Florida, US |
| Partners | • Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN • Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN • Mohammed Monguno • Akinlabi Akingbade • Geraldine Mbah • Francis Oronsaye • Darlington Onyekwere • Madu Joe Gadzama |
| Number of Lawyers | 57 |
| Category | Top tier Law Firm in Nigeria |
| Specialties | Corporate Services, Taxation and Management, Litigation, Power, Telecoms & Infrastructure, Criminal law, Evidence and Procedure, Capital Market Processes, Privatization, Labour Law, Mergers & Acquisition, Intellectual Property, Financial Services Law & Regulations, Real Estates & Land Economy. International Trade and Joint Ventures, Constitutional and Electoral Law and Practices, Commercial Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation and Dispute Negotiation |
| Client Profile | • Federal Government of Nigeria • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) • NAICOM • CAC • INEC • NAFDAC • NNPC • ICPC • NCC • EFCC • NDIC • AMCON |
J-K Gadzama LLP, founded 1989, provides a global coverage of legal and business advisory to clients around the world. It was founded by Joe Kyari Gadzama, a force to reckon in the Nigerian legal sphere.
J-K has established itself as one of the top law firms in Abuja. It focuses on providing clients with top tier legal services. J-K Gadzama LLP prides itself as a formidable legal entity in Nigeria, having represented a host government agencies and parastatals. The group is adept at a variety of law practices.
Additionally, the firm is also known to treat interns and junior associates with convenient incentives and welfare packages.
Closing Comment
If you made it here, I would like to first appreciate you. It’s quite a lengthy article with lots of information to grasp.
In view of the details given, it is appropriate to say that the Nigerian legal sphere is decorated with a number of top tier law firms.
Consequently, it might not be easy to get recruited by these firms but that shouldn’t deter you from trying.
Your level of confidence, determination, and proficiency in the legal profession can as well increase your chances of being recruited.
On the other hand, if you are a potential client that needs legal advisory, you can request for an advocate via the contacts given.
Most of the firms documented here have a track record of winning cases. Some of them were even involved in formation of some government policies.
That said, don’t forget to leave a comment below if you have any questions. See you in the next post.
Zerofy Editorial is a team of writers determined to provide evergreen content to millions of readers worldwide.
