GIDEON ONOSHIMIJE BALOGUN
Lagos
Summary
Results-driven Lawyer with a strong background in litigation and strategic legal advice. Managed complex commercial transactions while mentoring junior lawyers. Demonstrated analytical problem-solving and effective communication in high-stakes environments. Expertise in drafting briefs, contracts, and correspondence, ensuring compliance and building stakeholder relationships.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Manager
DACEMPCS
12.2022 - Current
- Deliver expert legal counsel to DACEMPCS, harnessing my specialized knowledge in corporate law and governance to fuel business expansion and minimize liability.
- Advise the CEO, Board of Trustees, and business clients on legal and regulatory matters, providing strategic insights and actionable recommendations.
- Manage legal drafting, negotiations, and commercial settlement agreements, providing strategic advice on all commercial transactions and activities.
- Provide solution-oriented and business-focused legal support on technical and commercial transactions, projects, and joint ventures.
- Conduct exhaustive due diligence on behalf of DACEMPCS, ensuring the legality, commercial viability, and strategic alignment of all business transactions.
- Oversee the litigation portfolio of DACEMPCS, encompassing collaboration with external legal advisors, brokering settlements, and furnishing management with regular litigation updates.
- Champion debt recovery initiatives, leveraging my expertise in dispute resolution and negotiation to optimize recoveries and minimize losses.
- Provide informed legal opinions and guidance to DACEMPCS, leveraging extensive legal experience and knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
- Cultivated relationships with external counsel, stakeholders, and partners to ensure DACEMPCS received effective legal support, representation, and strategic advice.
Advisory Member
Board of ACCENT Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
Akure
01.2020 - Current
- Led legal research initiatives, delivering insights that informed strategic decisions.
- Ensured adherence to rules and regulations, strengthening compliance frameworks and reducing legal risks.
- Crafted and refined complex legal documents, enhancing clarity and legal robustness.
Free Legal Service Provider
Jigawa State Ministry of Justice
Jigawa
03.2014 - Current
- Delivered pro bono legal services to unlawfully displaced tenants, ensuring their rights were upheld and providing critical support during challenging times.
- Delivered legal assistance to financially disadvantaged community members, ensuring equitable access to justice.
- Resolved land disputes using alternative dispute resolution strategies, fostering harmonious community outcomes.
- Advocated for enhancements to local schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, improving overall community well-being.
Senior Associate
Rotimi Jacobs and Co
Lagos
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Led senior counsel team in general litigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes, achieving significant legal victories.
- Represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria with unmatched legal prowess in various critical legal proceedings.
- Represented clients in critical legal proceedings, including litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
- Negotiated and drafted complex commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Provided strategic guidance on compliance matters, including anti-money laundering (AML), anti-bribery and corruption, and data protection to the law firm's clients.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including business development, operations, and finance, to provide comprehensive legal and compliance support.
- Managed case progress proactively, ensuring timely resolution of client matters.
- Authored and edited litigation documents, including affidavits, witness statements, and legal memoranda, to support case strategies.
- Developed and filed comprehensive Court of Appeal briefs to support clients' appeals.
- Drafted and finalized pleadings, motions, and written addresses to advance clients' interests in court.
Senior Associate
Corona Legal Practitioners
Lagos
07.2018 - 12.2018
- Led transactional activities with precision, overseeing the thorough review of joint venture documents and the flawless preparation of legal documents.
- Reviewed contracts and settled briefs for Court of Appeal, ensuring compliance and strengthening legal arguments.
- Drafted and prepared pleadings with utmost accuracy, effectively filing them in civil courts to advance client interests.
- Drafted contractual memoranda of understanding, enabling clear business agreements and fostering productive partnerships.
- Authored property title deeds with exacting attention to detail, safeguarding clients' real estate assets.
- Mentored legal team members, enhancing their skills and promoting a culture of high performance.
Associate
Temidayo Eseyin and Co
Kwara
05.2014 - 07.2018
- Excelled in courtroom appearances, collaborating with principal counsel to strengthen client representation and influence case direction.
- Advised clients with strategic counsel, delivering clear, actionable insights that drive favourable legal resolutions.
- Collaborated with senior counsel to develop and implement innovative legal strategies, enhancing overall case effectiveness and client positioning.
- Engineered the seamless preparation of legal documents, ensuring stringent compliance with legal standards and optimising case outcomes.
- Synthesised and distilled transcripts of oral testimonies, enabling the principal counsel to develop compelling case strategies.
- Crafted and reviewed intricate court processes, including motions, affidavits, and briefs of argument, ensuring legal precision that supported successful case outcomes.
Counsel
Jigawa State Ministry of Justice
Jigawa
12.2013 - 10.2014
- Crafted persuasive court documents, including motions, affidavits, and briefs, improving chances of favorable outcomes.
- Analyzed complex legal issues and provided strategic advice, ensuring well-informed decision-making and legal compliance.
- Expertly vetted and managed extensive case files within the Director of Public Prosecution's office, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Conducted thorough legal research, uncovering insights that strengthened case strategies.
- Demonstrated precision in legal research and document preparation, upholding high standards of legal excellence.
Law Intern
J.B. Daudu and Co
Lagos
04.2013 - 07.2013
- Assisted in high-stakes legal cases as a research assistant to the Head of Chambers.
- Authored preliminary drafts of research papers and compiled comprehensive case law showcasing strong writing skills and a keen understanding of legal concepts.
- Synthesised complex legal materials into coherent arguments, aiding in the development of effective legal strategies.
- Reviewed and analysed documents on climate change injustices, contributing to a deeper understanding of displacement, health issues, loss of income, flooding, and erosion of traditional lifestyles worldwide.
- Curated and organised essential legal materials for Head of Chambers, enhancing efficiency in accessing pertinent information.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
Nexford University
Washington DC08-2024
Master of Laws - Law
University of Ilorin
Ilorin, Nigeria04-2018
Barrister At Law(BL) - Law
Nigerian Law School
Abuja, Nigeria11-2013
Bachelors of Law - Law
Kogi State University
Anyigba, Kogi, Nigeria08-2012
Skills
- Strategic legal advice
- Negotiation
- Drafting
- Commercial transactions
- Project management
- Deadline management
- Task prioritization
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Team leadership
- Mentoring
- Development of junior lawyers
- Handling sensitive information
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Stakeholder interaction
Websites
Certification
- Corporate strategy Coursera Certificate Course, University of London, 2023
- Innovative Management - Coursera Certificate Course, Erasmus University, 2023
- Risk Management: Credit, Market, and Operational Risk, New York Institute of Finance, 2023
- Anti-Money Laundering and Regulatory Compliance, Udemy, 2021
Professional Memberships
Nigeria Bar Association, 2013
Timeline
Legal Manager
DACEMPCS
12.2022 - Current
Advisory Member
Board of ACCENT Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
01.2020 - Current
Senior Associate
Rotimi Jacobs and Co
01.2019 - 12.2022
Senior Associate
Corona Legal Practitioners
07.2018 - 12.2018
Associate
Temidayo Eseyin and Co
05.2014 - 07.2018
Free Legal Service Provider
Jigawa State Ministry of Justice
03.2014 - Current
Counsel
Jigawa State Ministry of Justice
12.2013 - 10.2014
Law Intern
J.B. Daudu and Co
04.2013 - 07.2013
MBA - Business Administration
Nexford University
Master of Laws - Law
University of Ilorin
Barrister At Law(BL) - Law
Nigerian Law School
Bachelors of Law - Law
Kogi State University