The Most Prominent Legal Leaders in Business, 2024 by Prime View Media

Do things that make you happy within the confines of the legal system.

- Ellen DeGeneres

THE INFLUENTIAL LEGAL LEADERS REDEFINING EXCELLENCE

THE INFLUENTIAL LEGAL LEADERS REDEFINING EXCELLENCE IN THE LEGAL WORLD

IN THE LEGAL WORLD

IIn the current fast-paced legal world, dynamic leadership is the cornerstone for overcoming hurdles and ensuring legal teams' success. Legal professionals hold a distinctive set of responsibilities and tackle obstacles that need unique legal acumen and managerial skills.

n the current fast-paced legal world, dynamic leadership is the cornerstone for overcoming hurdles and ensuring legal teams' success. Legal professionals hold a distinctive set of responsibilities and tackle obstacles that need unique legal acumen and managerial skills.

Our latest edition aims to acknowledge and honor the remarkable legal leaders who stand out as beacons of excellence and have made a mark in their practice areas. They hold excellent abilities, industry knowledge, and commitment in their domain. As we delve into the multifaceted leadership landscape in the legal realm, we invite you to explore all the stories covered in "The Most Prominent Legal Leaders in Business." With this edition, we shed light on the challenges faced by legal leaders and also underscore the pivotal role they play in steering their teams toward notable growth.

Highlighted at the forefront of this issue is our cover star, Larissa Ordoñez, a visionary leader and trailblazer in law with over 25 years of expertise spanning diverse roles in law, compliance, and data protection. Do check the complete story where the inspiring lady has shared about her journey and what led her to be a phenomenal legal leader. We truly hope that this distinctive edition will add some additional value to your life. We will be more pleased if this inspiring tale will encourage you to break the barriers and achieve your career goals in the legal world.

In addition to celebrating these legal experts, we also focus on fueling excellence in the legal ecosystem by identifying and enabling law firms and individual lawyers who have the potential to lead the way. All the professionals acknowledged in the edition have not just shown their legal excellence but also hold the ability to survive and flourish in the constantly thriving ecosystem. As I wrap up, I hope this read will provide our readers worldwide with valuable insights into the legal world and the visionary leaders and how they are striving hard to stay ahead of the curve. Their journeys continue to inspire and give a new direction to the legal landscape.

Thanks for reading, and keep shining!

Editor’s NOTE

Managing Editor

Publishing Control Team

Editor-in-Chief Visualizer

Art & Design Head

Business Development Manager Co-designer

Business Development Execu�ve Marke�ng Manager

Assistant Technical Head Technical Head

Digital Marke�ng Manager

Assistanr Digital Marke�ng Manager

Research Analyst

Circula�on Manager

Sonal K. Ehsan Jami Alex, Michael

Mary Chars Anushka Bhosle Shweta Ambilwade

Jone Smith Chirs Philip Maria, Wilson, Mar�na, Alex, Kelvin

Jacob Smile Alina Sege

Jennifer Parker David King

Earl Lewis Scoot Taylor

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LARISSA ORDOÑEZ

Legal Director Latam | Kantar

TRANSFORMING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE

In the dynamic world of law, where complexities and difficulties abound, Larissa Ordoñez has not only navigated the challenges but has excelled, leaving an indelible mark on the legal landscape. With 25 years of experience spanning diverse roles in law, compliance, and data protection, Larissa’s journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence.

The Journey Unfolds

Larissa’s career in law began two and a half decades ago, with a foundation that includes a specialization and a master's degree in civil procedure, along with other specializations and courses in contracts, compliance, and data protection. From the beginning, Larissa has been involved in demanding sectors, working for companies such as AGIP, Liquigás, Ipiranga, and IBOPE, where she gained extensive experience in various areas of law.

Larissa’s journey has led her to hold leadership positions in different corporate environments, where she has been able to apply her knowledge to solve highly complex legal challenges. Currently, Larissa is the Director of Legal, Compliance, and Data Protection for Latin America at Kantar Group. In this position, she ensures that the company’s legal operations align with both local and international regulations while upholding the highest standards of data protection and security.

The Key Inspiration Behind Joining Kantar

Larissa decided to join Kantar due to several factors. First, she was drawn to the company's strong commitment to innovation and its use of

data to generate impactful market insights. Kantar’s ability to transform data into actionable strategies that fuel business growth and innovation captivated her, and she wanted to be part of that transformative process.

Furthermore, Kantart values diversity and inclusion, which resonates deeply with Larissa both personally and professionally. She found a unique opportunity in Kantar to contribute to a work environment that not only values differences but also leverages them to drive innovation and business success.

Larissa's Distinctive Leadership Style

Larissa's leadership style is built on three main pillars: empathy, resilience, and effective communication. She has come to understand that empathy is essential for grasping her team's needs and concerns, while resilience allows her to face challenges with a positive and proactive mindset. Clear and effective communication is essential for aligning everyone with the organization's goals and objectives.

Her leadership approach has evolved through facing various challenges, including budget management, team dynamics, and the constant need to balance time, quality, and agility in project deliveries. Over time, Larissa has become more flexible and adaptive in her strategies, adjusting to meet the unique demands of each situation, while prioritizing the development and well-being of her team.

Establishing a Standardized and Flexible Compliance Framework for Kantar

Managing data compliance in a diverse region like

Latin America requires an approach that combines standardization and flexibility. Larissa and her team have created a compliance framework that adheres to Kantar's global principles while being flexible enough to adapt to the legal and cultural specificities of each country of operation. This framework is based on a set of policies and procedures implemented throughout the organization but allows for local adjustments as necessary.

Larissa ensures close collaboration not only with the legal teams in each country but also in collaboration with all areas of the company to ensure that local regulations are strictly adhered to while upholding a high standard of data protection that reflects Kantar's values and reputation in the global market.

Tackling the Major Hurdles in Managing Cross-Border Legal Issues

Managing legal issues across 17 different countries is a complex challenge, especially when it comes to aligning local legal practices with Kantar's global standards. One of the biggest challenges is the diversity of legal and regulatory systems that need to be considered when formulating compliance

To overcome these challenges, Larissa and her team have implemented a system of continuous communication and collaboration between the legal teams in each country. This includes regular meetings, training sessions, and workshops to ensure everyone is up to date with the latest global policies and practices. They have also developed a network of local consultants who provide insights into the specificities of each market, allowing Kantar to maintain its compliance and legal integrity in all territories where it operates. The most important point here is to understand the business and stay close to all areas, working in collaboration and cooperation to ensure the best delivery with efficiency, quality, and speed while maintaining the necessary legal security.

Distinctive Leadership Strategies for Team Guidance

The acquisition of IBOPE by Kantar was a significant milestone and required a leadership approach that could guide the team through this transition. Larissa's primary strategy was to focus on transparency and open communication. She knew her team needed to understand the impact of the acquisition and how it would affect their roles and responsibilities. To achieve this, she promoted informational sessions and kept channels open for questions and concerns. Additionally, she created a detailed action plan that included clear goals and a timeline for integrating the two companies.

Larissa encouraged collaboration between the IBOPE and Kantar teams, highlighting the growth and development opportunities this acquisition would bring to everyone. According to her, these strategies work for ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining team morale and productivity during

The Legal Strategy Changes to Support the

Each new market brings its own unique set of legal and regulatory challenges. To support Kantar's growth initiatives, Larissa adapts her legal strategy to meet the specific requirements of each territory. For instance, as an expatriate in the Dominican Republic, she conducted a comprehensive analysis

of local laws and regulations to ensure that all Kantar operations were compliant from the outset. Larissa collaborated closely with local legal consultants and utilized her experience in handling cross-border issues to identify and mitigate potential risks. Her approach is always proactive, aiming to anticipate problems before they occur and ensuring that Kantar can expand its operations securely and efficiently.

Creating a Balance between Legal Compliance and Business Responsibilities

Balancing legal compliance with business responsibilities is one of the most challenging aspects of Larissa's job. However, she believes it's possible to achieve this balance with a pragmatic approach. Her priority is to keep legal processes as simple and efficient as possible without compromising the rigor needed to ensure compliance.

To achieve this, Larissa uses technology and automation to optimize processes, allowing the legal team to focus on more complex and strategically valuable issues. Additionally, she maintains constant communication with other areas of the company to ensure that business needs are met while ensuring that all legal requirements are adequately fulfilled.

Larissa also takes pride in building a high-performing team with diverse and complementary skills that are highly aligned with the business, making a significant difference in day-to-day deliveries.

ELEVATING YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH CORPORATE BRANDING: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

n today’s competitive business landscape, a well-crafted corporate brand is more than just a logo or a catchy tagline—it’s the essence of your company’s identity and the promise you make to your customers. In this article, we will delve into key strategies for elevating your business through corporate branding. We will explore the foundational elements of corporate branding, outline strategic approaches to developing and implementing a robust brand identity, and discuss methods for measuring and evolving your brand to ensure continued relevance and success.

Understanding Corporate Branding

Corporate branding is a comprehensive approach to defining and communicating a company’s identity and values. Unlike product branding, which focuses on individual products or services, corporate branding encompasses the entire organization. It involves creating a unified brand message that reflects the company’s mission, vision, and values.

At the core of corporate branding is the concept of corporate identity. This includes visual elements like your logo, color scheme, and typography, as well as the tone and style of your communications. Corporate identity plays a crucial role in shaping how the public perceives your brand. Consistency in these elements across all platforms helps build a strong, recognizable presence in the market.

A strong corporate brand is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a meaningful and authentic connection with your audience. It reflects your company’s ethos and differentiates you from competitors by communicating what makes your business unique. For instance, a company that works with an enamel pin manufacturer to create custom-branded pins can use these items as tangible representations of its brand values and identity, further enhancing brand recognition and loyalty.

Developing a Strong Brand Strategy

Creating a compelling brand strategy begins with defining your brand’s vision and mission. Your brand vision is a forward-looking statement that outlines what you aspire to achieve in the future. It should be ambitious yet attainable, providing a clear direction for your company’s growth. Your mission statement, on the other hand, articulates your company’s purpose and core values, guiding daily operations and decision-making.

Once you have a clear vision and mission, the next step is to identify your target audience. Understanding who your customers are, what they value, and how they perceive your industry is essential for tailoring your branding efforts. Creating detailed buyer personas—fictional characters that represent your ideal customers—can help you align your branding strategies with the needs and preferences of your target market.

Building a unique brand voice and personality is another critical component of a strong brand strategy. Your brand voice should reflect your company’s values and resonate with your audience. Whether it’s professional and authoritative or friendly and conversational, your brand voice should be consistent across all communications. Developing a distinctive brand personality helps create a memorable impression and fosters an emotional connection with your customers.

Implementing Corporate Branding Strategies

A consistent visual identity is fundamental to effective corporate branding. This includes designing a recognizable logo, selecting a cohesive color scheme, and choosing typography that aligns with your brand’s personality. Visual elements should be consistently applied across all marketing materials, from business cards to social media profiles, to reinforce your brand’s presence and make it easily identifiable.

Brand messaging and storytelling are also vital for building a strong brand. Crafting messages that communicate your values and mission helps establish your brand’s identity in the minds of consumers. Storytelling allows you to create an emotional connection with your audience by sharing stories that illustrate your brand’s values, achievements, and impact. This approach not only engages your audience but also makes your brand more relatable and memorable.

In the digital age, leveraging online platforms is crucial for reinforcing your brand. Social media, websites, and digital content offer opportunities to reach and engage with your audience on a larger scale. Employing SEO strategies and content marketing can enhance your brand’s visibility and drive traffic to your digital assets. Ensuring that your online presence reflects your brand’s identity and values helps create a cohesive experience for your audience.

Measuring and Evolving Your Brand

To ensure your brand remains effective, it’s essential to track its performance regularly. Key metrics such as brand awareness, customer loyalty, and market impact provide insights into how well your branding efforts are resonating with your audience. Utilizing tools and techniques for measuring brand success, such as surveys, social media analytics, and sales data, can help you assess the effectiveness of your branding strategies and identify areas for improvement.

Adapting to market changes is a crucial aspect of maintaining a relevant brand. As consumer preferences and market conditions evolve, your branding strategies may need to be adjusted to stay aligned with these shifts. Staying flexible and responsive to market trends ensures that your brand remains relevant and continues to meet the needs of your audience.

Conclusion

Corporate branding is a powerful tool for elevating your business and achieving long-term success. By developing a strong brand strategy, implementing effective branding practices, and continuously measuring and evolving your brand, you can create a compelling brand presence that resonates with your audience and drives growth. Investing in your corporate branding efforts can lead to increased brand recognition, customer loyalty, and overall business success.

PIONEERING EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Meet Carina Wessels from the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Carina is a legal veteran, an experienced international and local non-executive director, an audit committee member, a keynote speaker, and a featured writer. She holds an LLB and two LLM degrees: Labour Law and Extractive Industry Law in Africa, a Certificate in Advanced Labour Law, PMD, and an Advanced Management Programme from the prestigious Harvard Business School.

Early Years and Career Pursuits

Carina’s journey towards excellence has been quite unconventional, which she believes has significantly contributed to her growth and the opportunities she has encountered. She ventured into selling cost recovery software to attorneys, while studying law. Surprisingly, most of the lawyers Carina interacted with expressed dissatisfaction with their jobs, prompting her to explore alternative avenues. Subsequently, she transitioned to a role as a client services manager at a hospital. However, this stint was short-lived, lasting only six months, as she soon realized that her passion for law was the primary driving force behind her career aspirations.

Carina found herself drawn to the corporate world, where she initially specialized in labor law before delving into corporate governance and commercial law. Over the years, she gained diverse experience across various domains such as Human Resources, Finance, Risk Management, Business Improvement, Project Management, and later Corporate Secretariat, Governance, Executive Management, and Sustainability.

During her nine-year tenure with De Beers and subsequent period with Investec, Carina got the opportunity to broaden her expertise. In 2011, at the age of 33, she secured her first executive appointment at Exxaro. During her tenure at Exxaro, she also took on the responsibility of managing legal services, prompting

her to pursue a second master's degree in Extractive Industry Law in Africa. Upon joining Alexforbes, her role expanded rapidly to encompass governance, legal, compliance, and sustainability.

Carina spent most of her career in the mining industry. However, she felt that industry diversification was necessary, leading to her considering Alexforbes as a challenging opportunity. Joining the company proved to be far more rewarding than Carina had ever imagined. She arrived at an exciting time of strategic transformation and growth, and she was privileged to play a meaningful role in this process.

“Beyond the transformation of Alexforbes, I was transformed into what I believe to be the best version of myself,” Carina says.

Carina characterizes her leadership style as authentic transformational leadership, while also being adaptable and tailoring her approach to suit the dynamics of her team members.

“I believe my authenticity has become more prominent throughout my career. I also hope that I have transitioned from focusing on having the right answers earlier in my career to asking the right questions. I continue to evolve through learning, unlearning, and relearning,” she recalls.

Mentoring and Nurturing Future Leaders

At Alexforbes, formal processes play an essential role in the development ecosystem. However, Carina believes that an even more valuable skill for employees is the ability to confidently and comfortably approach colleagues they resonate with or whom they recognize as having admirable qualities. Mentorship beyond these

The Inspiration Behind Joining Alexforbes

Leadership Philosophy

Carina Wessels

formal structures is strongly encouraged, with many leaders dedicating significant time to nurturing a wide range of staff members. Beyond Alexforbes, Carina regularly receives mentorship requests from young professionals on LinkedIn and makes it a priority to engage in meaningful discussions with them.

Nurturing a Strong Organizational Culture

Central to Carina's leadership philosophy is the cultivation of a shared purpose within the team, one that aligns with and supports the overarching organizational objectives. Throughout her career, Carina has encouraged her teams to adopt a mindset where they prioritize being business-oriented professionals first, with their legal, governance, or compliance expertise as secondary. This emphasis on business principles, continuous improvement, and client-centricity has been a cornerstone of the culture within the team and their collective success. Within her team, Carina also upholds values such as trust, transparency, honesty, passion, and an exceptional work ethic as non-negotiable.

Collaboration between Governance, Legal, and Compliance Functions

Carina leads the team at Alexforbes, focusing on setting clear expectations and instilling a commitment to excellence. This approach creates a culture where every team member is empowered to contribute their best and collaborate with others, ultimately driving organizational success.

The team has also implemented resource sharing, contributing to efficiency and collaboration, cross-skilling, and succession bench strength.

The Key Organizational Priorities for Alexforbes

One of the objectives is to deliver on the growth aspirations organically and inorganically. Carina's role extends beyond managing the legal M&A components to collectively driving the strategy with the CEO and CFO. The GLCS team plays an enabling role in organic growth with Carina specifically driving the new Impact Advisory offering, focusing on delivering

forward-thinking sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) insights and advice to retirement funds and corporate clients. Building this new business line into a sustainable revenue contributor is one of her key focus areas in the short to medium term.

Overcoming the Legal Issues

In pondering some of the most difficult challenges in her career, like complex and highly sensitive executive investigations, dismissals, and related litigation, she suggests these require not only technical legal expertise but also nerves of steel and strength of conviction.

Furthermore, managing several complex M&A transactions, including a particularly challenging one with a US counterparty during the initial negative market responses to COVID-19. The transaction, as per the contract, no longer made commercial sense due to the impact of Covid-19. Despite spending months negotiating an agreement, Carina and her team had to completely renegotiate the transaction within 48 hours. Although they successfully terminated the agreement, they still needed to hold a shareholder meeting to approve a secondary component of a related transaction. As a result, Alexforbes held the first fully electronic shareholder meeting in South Africa shortly after the initial hard lockdown.

Emerging Technologies

Regarding emerging technologies in legal and compliance functions, the increased use of generative AI is significant. This is particularly notable in advising business, especially on intellectual property ownership and protection in cases where content is created using AI.

The Evolving Role of Governance

Some companies still see governance as a formality, without realizing its importance in fostering an ethical culture, driving sustainable performance, maintaining effective control, and establishing legitimacy. With the continuously increasing regulation in this area, Carina hopes that the understanding and adoption of best governance practices will continue to improve. However, the growing regulation might also lead to more superficial compliance rather than genuine recognition of the value of good governance. “To encourage a positive evolution in corporate governance, we require ethical leaders who are motivated by more than just compliance but also have a deep understanding of value creation, impact, and sustainability. This will help create a better and more sustainable future," Carina shares.

Empowering the Organization for Future Changes

Carina believes that, to stay relevant and provide value, it is essential to have exposure and experience beyond technical or regulatory expertise. This means having a broad range of knowledge and skills, referred to as a T-shaped professional.

Significant Role of Governance in Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Despite being separate components, Carina sees ESG as interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Strong governance is also a critical aspect of most sustainability-focused frameworks and reporting guidelines, making it unlikely that these can be effectively implemented without supporting governance structures and principles.

Law Is A Solemn Expression Of The Will O

The Supreme Power Of The State.

JEAN JACQUES BRAGARD

Managing Partner | BRAGARD Abogados

HELPING CLIENTS WITH COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES

MMeet Jean Jacques Bragard, the Managing and Founding Partner of Montevideo-based law firm BRAGARD Abogados, providing legal, tax, accounting, and notary services. The organization’s experience and proven track records allow it to address any local, regional, and international matters comprehensively. “We have been involved in some of the most prestigious operations as advisors and/or legal representatives, which has given us internally enormous pride in our team’s capacities but has also given us great visibility, which is essential for us to continue to operate.”– Jean says.

ean completed his graduation as a lawyer from the University of Uruguayan Republic in 1994. Later he attended several courses and programs to enhance his professional career. During his time as a student, Jean forged excellent relationships with his colleagues with whom, throughout the last three decades, he had the privilege of sharing common projects and acting as counterparts from the perspective of professional enrichment. “I consider it of the utmost value to nurture human relationships at all times in our lives, regardless of the profession we are in. The continuous exchange of ideas and opinions between colleagues is what enables

us to develop our careers with a comprehensive approach.”– he added.

The Differentiating Factors

Jean decided to start his own law firm under the conviction of building an organization faithful to the design culture that it should have. In an exaggeratedly conservative legal market like Uruguay, Jean always acknowledged the space to do things differently, and that is what he and his partners are trying to achieve in BRAGARD. Currently, Jean has four partners in the firm. They lead BRAGARD under a common goal, where each one of them contributes from their field of expertise, which generates a great synergy between them.

Heading missing

BRAGARD is always razor-focused on its team and the improvement of a healthy work culture within the organization. These characteristics have helped the law firm to stand tall amongst its competitors. The organization engages its team at their intrinsic level and unleashes their best potential. It also allows its team to contribute to the natural flow of energy they bring to the office. Jean says, “My job, jointly with my partners, is to provide vision, strategy, guidance, and direction, but the ideas come from the team and often work as a feeder in our transformation. We do not stick to or fall in love with old classic working modalities that no longer fit. We let the team have enough opportunities to shine and outstand as we consider them the firm’s future.”

He also feels that BRAGARD’s services must always add value to the client, with the entire team seeking to find fair fee agreements in every proposal.

Solving Client’s Legal Woes

Jean’s primary mission was to help his clients solve their conflicts with a lighter approach, without requiring mass meetings or bureaucratic procedures that often make relationships impersonal. This is something that both Jean and his team have tried to maintain over many years, so the clients can feel safe in an atmosphere full of warmth and familiarity, where their problem matters.

However, on the other hand, Jean believes the most challenging aspect of the business is to lead for the long term, so the ideals that drove the firm’s foundation go far beyond that of him and his partners.

Preparing for the Future

Jean’s primary goal is to ensure that BRAGARD may continue its technical excellence without losing its organizational values. He also works hard to ensure future talents’ growth within the firm and bring a substantial change in every matter the organization works on.

He considers the best way to achieve this is through an outstanding level of dedication in strengthening BRAGARD’s HR, ongoing technical training, prudent judgment in accepting new businesses, and due diligence in promoting each matter, regardless of its complexities and volume.

Suggestions for the Younger self

Jean believes a good lawyer needs a good awareness, passion, and focus. He advises young lawyers to stay prepared for various challenging and uncomfortable situations with both projects and clients, which will eventually help them professionally grow in the ever-competitive market.

He says, “A good lawyer can never lose the ability to address (even in a generic way) any topic in a business meeting. Regardless of the further study that the subject may lead to if it’s not their area of expertise. It is important that the client and the opposing party do not leave you blank with a query or contradiction.”

EMMANUEL EKPENYONG

Managing Partner & Co-founder | Fred-Young & Evans LP

AN ILLUSTRIOUS LEGAL ADVISOR DELIVERING BESPOKE LEGAL INSIGHTS

Adistinguished personality, author, and a veteran in law, Emmanuel graduated from the Faculty of Law of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, in 2006. And in 2007, the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Nigeria with a Second Class Upper Degree. Also, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. Recently, he obtained a Master’s Degree in International Business Law with Merit from the University of Liverpool, England.

He has vast international business advisory experience. He is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, England.

He has wide-ranging experience in the recovery of diverse debts across borders. Emmanuel has engaged in prominent commercial litigations at the High and

appellate courts. He has acted as Counsel in both domestic and international commercial arbitrations.

He advises foreign companies on business formations in Nigeria and other legal compliance matters in doing business in Nigeria. He is exposed to Nigeria’s intellectual property practice and the legal regime in Nigeria’s real estate and construction sector.

About Fred Young & Evans

Founded in 2014, Fred-Young & Evans LP, Nigeria is a full-service commercial law firm. It provides legal services throughout Nigeria and the African continent. The service offerings include Business and Commercial Law, Company Secretarial Services, Foreign Investments, Commercial Litigation, Arbitration, and ADR Proceedings, Real Estate and Construction, Intellectual Property, Debt Collection, Labour and Employment Law, Adoption, Matrimonial Causes, and Probate, Sports and Entertainment Law, Legal Compliance Audit, Due Diligence, Asset Tracing, Investigations and Process Servers.

Becoming an Author

Growing up, Emmanuel liked reading books by several Nigerian and foreign authors on prose literature, politics, law, psychology, history, religion, encyclopaedias, and success stories of persons who have established themselves in different sectors of human endeavour. This sparked up the author’s spirit in him. When he got admission to study law, he started writing articles for publication on the Faculty’s notice boards.

This background improved his writing skills; it became an opportunity to create awareness through his publications. As a lawyer, education based marketing has assisted him to expose our law firm and its services to a wider audience across continents. This has attracted referrals to our firm from sources we did not anticipate.

He has authored several scholarly works in local and international journals. His recent books are “Impact of Nigeria’s Legislations and Business Practices on Foreign Investments” available on www.morebooks.com. He also wrote as a specialist contributor on the topic “Enforcement of Arbitral Awards and Foreign Judgments in Nigeria” to the book “Contemporary Issues in Law and Society: Legal Essays in Tribute to the Hon. Justice Chinwe E. Iyizoba JCA” of the Court of Appeal.

He wrote on “Arbitration! A Bane to Prompt Resolution of International Commercial Disputes; A Case of Nigeria” in partial fulfilment for the award of LLM in International Business Law by the University of Liverpool.

Emmanuel and his fascinating wife Udeme are blessed to have four lovely children, Idara, Imaobong, Otobong, and Raja.

An Esteemed Client Base

Fred-Young & Evans LP’s clients are foreign companies with business interests in Nigeria and foreigners doing business in Nigeria. It represents reputable brands and highprofile clients in transactions and dispute resolution throughout Nigeria. Accessibility and Integrity are its watchwords with sheer interest in the clients’ business.

It takes time to understand the clients business and devise a tailor-made solution to their legal problems. The essence of this is to effectively solve clients’ problems within a reasonable time and cost and maintain long-term business relationships. This has made them have faith and trust in our services.

Tackling Challenges Efficiently

The first challenge Fred-Young & Evans LP encountered was the natural fear and doubts in starting up a new business. After months of reading literature on start-ups and preparation, we were ready to launch the brand. To grapple with the challenge of getting an affordable office space, we convinced a real estate firm to sublease a portion of its office space to us.

However, the main challenge was getting people to know who we were and believe in our service offerings. Through the publication of weekly articles on diverse areas of law, hard work, quality performance, patience, and perseverance, we started attracting clients and referrals within Nigeria and abroad.

Words of Wisdom – From Emmanuel’s Desk

The journey to where we are today started from undergoing pupillage at a reputable and thorough law firm. The firm imbibed in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity. I was taught the rudiments of legal practice and introduced to networks that have been the basis of our growth today.

When we started our practice, our dedication to our few clients made them realize our potentials which they harnessed by entrusting more tasks to us and referring us to their clients, friends, and family members. This improved our research on many areas of law towards meeting the legal needs of our clients. This experience has made us resource persons in our areas of law practice.

Enlightening Female Entrepreneurs with a Powerful Mindset

The feminist movement in the world today is not to enthrone the superiority of the female gender above the male gender but to advocate that equal opportunities are available to both genders. The practices and cultures which suppress women and make them inferior should be abolished. Women should be encouraged to vie for political offices and contest for positions viewed by society to be exclusively for men.

The workplace should give equal opportunities to both men and women to excel. For the same cadre, women should have the same remuneration as men. Firms should put in place codes of conduct to tackle sexual harassment and other vices against women in the workplace.

Female entrepreneurs should be motivated because women have achieved triumphs in many areas of human endeavour. He encourages female entrepreneurs to be confident to venture into businesses of their choice and dare to live their dreams. They should equip themselves with the requisite knowledge, exposure, and skills to enable them to compete and succeed in their chosen businesses.

A Day in the Life of Emmanuel After waking up, Emmanuel spends a few minutes reflecting on how the last day went and how he would want the new day to be. He says his prayers, lays his bed, and assists his wife in getting their children ready for school. Once he drops the children at school, he goes to the office. At the office, he returns calls and draws a schedule for the day. He then responds to outstanding correspondence and emails and visits the courts and clients’ offices to attend court proceedings and meetings. He returns to the office by late afternoon to review the tasks of his colleagues at the office and give further instructions. He calls home to check on his family and ensures that the children have done their homework and everything is in order. He

reviews court processes for filing, drafting legal opinions for clients, and carrying out research works for weekly publications on the firm’s website, networks, and online platforms. Some evenings, he hangs out with friends to have a bottle of drink, discuss politics, and watch football before returning home to family.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: A Defining Moment

It taught Emmanuel that discovering one’s destiny is the essence of life. The greatest lesson he learned from the book is that each experience in life prepares you for your destiny. You may travel the world to find your destiny only to discover that your destiny is where you started the journey from. Nonetheless, the experience you gathered in your life’s sojourn will equip you to achieve your destiny.

Company’s Awards Milestones

The firm has received many prestigious awards some of them include:

Corporate USA Today Annual Awards, 2018, Best Full-Service Commercial Law Firm of the Year- Nigeria

Lawyer International Legal 100, 2019, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Fred-Young & Evans, Best Managing Partner of the Year –Nigeria, Lawyer’s World

Best Commercial Law Firm- Nigeria, 2019, M & A Today Global Awards, Leading Cross Boarders Debt Recovery Lawyer of the Year- Nigeria, 2020

A Visionary Future

The clients benefit from a robust team of industry experts and experienced legal practitioners whose mantles have been proven over the years. Our dream is to be a leading light in commercial law practice in Nigeria and be reckoned with by other reputable law firms abroad.

EXPERT TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT IT SUPPORT FOR YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS IN 2024

Have you ever had your computer crash right in the middle of an important project? Or maybe your whole network went down, leaving your business at a standstill? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? In fact, studies show that downtime costs businesses an average of $5,600 per minute!

That’s why reliable IT support is no longer a luxury in today’s fast-paced digital world – it’s a necessity. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one for your business in Atlanta? How do you ensure you get the best value for your money and that your IT systems are safe?

This blog post is here to guide you through the process. We’ll explore the key factors you need to consider, which will help you make an informed decision in 2024.

Assess Your Business Needs

When setting up your business’s tech, it’s essential to consider both your current setup and what you’ll need in the future. Start by examining your existing IT infrastructure. What’s working well? What isn’t? Knowing where you stand will help you determine what changes need to be made.

Once you understand your current situation, consider the future. As your business grows, you might need more advanced technology solutions. These could include better cybersecurity to protect your data or more robust systems to handle increased traffic.

Another important aspect to consider is training for your team. Having the right technology is great, but it’s just as crucial that your team knows how to use it effectively. This is where managed IT services come in handy. In fact, many managed IT services in Atlanta offer on-site training programs. These services help ensure your team has the necessary skills to perform their jobs efficiently. Plus, with training on demand, your employees can get the help they need exactly when needed, which is incredibly convenient.

Evaluate IT Support Providers

When looking for the right IT support provider, you must do your homework and make sure they’re up to the task. Let’s break down the steps to ensure you choose a provider that can effectively meet your business needs.

Check Credentials and Certifications – First, check if the IT support provider has the necessary credentials and certifications. Certifications from trusted organizations mean that the provider has been tested and meets certain standards. This is especially important in areas like cybersecurity and network management. Make sure these credentials are up-to-date and relevant to the type of support you need.

Assess Experience and Expertise – Consider the provider’s experience and expertise. They must have a solid track record. If your business is in a specialized field like healthcare or finance, you’ll want IT support that understands your industry’s specific needs and challenges.

Review Reputation and References – Look closely at the provider’s reputation. What have other clients said about their service? You can find this out by reading customer testimonials and case studies. It’s also a good idea to ask for references you can contact directly.

By taking these steps, you can choose an IT support provider who understands the technical side of things and fits well with your business goals.

Consider Support and Response Times

When choosing IT support for your business, it’s critical to understand how fast they can help when you need it. Knowing the provider’s response times, especially during emergencies, can make a big difference. If your systems go down, every minute counts, so you’ll want a team that responds quickly to get things running smoothly again.

It’s also important to consider how you can reach out to them. Different support channels, such as phone, email, or live chat, offer various advantages. For instance, live chat can provide immediate assistance, which is great for urgent but small issues.

Lastly, look closely at the Service Level Agreements, or SLAs, offered by the IT support provider. These agreements outline what you can expect regarding service and support levels. They clarify response times, system uptime, and other crucial details.

Evaluate Cost and Pricing Structure

Understanding the cost and pricing structure is essential when choosing IT support. You might encounter several pricing models. One common model is fixed monthly fees, where you pay the same amount each month, making budgeting straightforward.

Another model is pay-as-you-go, which allows you to pay only for the services you use when you use them. This can be cost-effective if your IT needs are unpredictable.

However, it’s important to watch out for hidden costs. Sometimes, things that go beyond your basic service agreement, like emergency repairs or hardware upgrades, can result in additional fees. Always ask for a detailed list of what’s included in your package and what would cost extra.

Final Words

Choosing the right IT support isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about finding a partner who understands your business and helps you grow. Take your time, ask the right questions, and find the IT support to empower your business to succeed in 2024 and beyond. Remember, technology should be a tool for growth, not a source of stress.

It’s fine to just keep with the basics: reliable laptops, a secure network, and some cloud storage outsourced to a managed IT services, but make sure you do that with appropriate investment and vet those you use.