Chioma Ehiaguina

CHIOMA CHINEDUM EHIAGUINA Email-PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY I am a very determined and highly resourceful legal practitioner with 12 years extensive and indepth experience in providing innovative/cutting edge legal solutions to individuals, businesses and corporate organizations, across different jurisdictions. I am adept in Legal Advisory, Litigation, Advocacy, Case Management, Legal Research and Writing, Contracts, Negotiation/Drafting, Regulatory Compliance and Company Secretarial Practice, Intellectual Property Rights Protection, Alternative Dispute Resolution. KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCES *Litigation Management *Legal Research *Legal Writing *Corporate Governance *Risk Management *Communication *Analytical Reasoning *Contract Management *Document Control *Dispute Resolution (ADR) *Negotiation *Company Secretarial *Networking *Regulatory Compliance *Intellectual Property protection SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE Zane-Michael Partners Managing Partner, January 2023- Till date  Managing a full service Law Firm in the heart of Lagos Nigeria with 9 employees.  The firm’s practice areas include: Litigation/Dispute Resolution, Corporate Commercial Transactions, Oil and Gas Law, Maritime, Tax Law, Insolvency, Probate and Estate Administration, Media and Entertainment, Real Estate and Construction.  Make all of the important decision as well as delegate roles to the Associates.  Guide and direct the day to day operations and profitability of the firm.  Develop strategies to accomplish the firms key performance indicators (KPI’s)  Interview and hire Associate, Interns and other support staff.  Set and improve the firm’s policies and procedures.  Employ strategies for complex legal issues and ensure an accurate execution of same.  Represent client in complex legal matters, prepare court documents for same and review documents prepared by the Associates. Iroghama Legal Practitioners Senior Associate, January 2021- December 2022 Litigation and ADR  Formulate strategies to resolve disputes while upholding client’s legal position, reputation consistent with its value, policies and internal standard.  Institute actions, conduct matters and represent clients in civil, corporate and criminal suits in various states and federal courts of record.  Prepare legal briefs, gather proper evidence for presentation of arguments and counter arguments before various courts.  Identify and manage cases that may result in reputational damages to the client.  Access the legal risks involved in the client’s engagements with counter-parties and matters served on the client.  I have obtained favourable judgments/rulings on behalf of Clients with respect to contracts, loan transactions, criminal charges, garnishee proceedings, preliminary objections, and appeals.  Minimize Client’s exposure to legal liabilities.  Foster negotiations and participate in other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in and out of the multi-door court.  As Head of Chamber/ Senior Associate, I delegate duties, and supervise the other Associates in carrying out their assigned duties.  Assist and support the Managing Partner in handling complex cases. Legal Advisory and Regulatory Compliance  Minimize Client’s legal exposure by providing timely legal advice/opinions to Client on internal and external legal issues affecting their business and their relationships with their regulators, customers, vendors/service providers and the public;        Advise on the creation of business and non-business entities. Incorporate and set-up business and non- business entities. Ensure Client’s business complies with all applicable laws and provide legal advice on the legal obligations and implications of the Client’s business conduct, transactions and policies; Provide awareness and support compliance with Client’s Company policies on Intellectual Property, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Bribery and Corruption. Provide legal advice to Client on the interpretation of the Client’s Employee Handbook, Recruitment, Disciplinary Procedure and Termination of Employment; Provide commercial legal support on Client’s projects. Register Client’s interest in property at the Lands’ Registry; Conduct Due Diligence on behalf of Client at the Lands’ Registry and Corporate Affairs Commission. Act as liaison between Client Companies and Government/Regulatory Agencies. Contracts Negotiations/Documentations     Sustain 90% elimination of loss from poor negotiations, erroneous drafting/vetting of contracts or non-adherence to terms of contract. Protect the Client’s interest and maintain a strong business position through negotiation, draft and review of staff and business contracts. Draft and review standard Service Level Agreements, Indemnity Agreements, Purchase Agreements, Technology Agreements, Loan/Financing Agreements, Consultancy Agreements, Contracts of Sale, Deeds of Mortgage, Deeds of Assignment, Policies, Official Letters, Reports, Memorandum and all other legal documentations on behalf of Clients. Company Secretarial Services and Corporate Governance        Provide strategic guidance and advice to the Boards of Client Companies and their subsidiaries on diverse matters. Convene Company meetings in adherence to meeting schedules ensure adherence to meeting schedules and seamless meeting processes by preparing/compiling Meeting Papers, Minutes and Resolutions passed at meetings. Draft and review Client Company’s Corporate Governance Frame-work. Help Client companies comply with their Corporate Governance Frame – work. Carry on legal advisory role while Company meetings are in progress. Maintain and update statutory books, registers and other records required to be kept by the Corporate Affairs Commission (“CAC”) and render statutory returns at the CAC. Undertake the regularization of the records of Client Companies at the CAC. Intellectual Property Rights Protection    Increase and sustain Client’s market value through Intellectual Property Rights Protection. Register and advice Client’s on Intellectual Property Protection Rights. Enforce Client’s Intellectual Property Rights in the event of a breach or perceived breach. Agoha and Agoha Legal Practitioners Senior Associate/Legal Manager, January 2018 – December 2020  Work Closely with the Managing Partner to provide legal solutions to a wide range of clients (and legal issues)  Draft pleadings, motions, counter-affidavits, legal documents and supporting documents.  Manage complex legal situations unsupervised.  Represent clients in all courts of record in Nigeria. Ray I.D. Okezie & Co. Legal Associate, July 2013 – January 2018.       Organize documents for filing in different courts. Process the records for transmission to higher courts, for matters on appeal. Draft and vet documents for client’s transactions. Representing clients in various courts (I have specifically conducted proceedings against, University of Benin (UBTH), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Edo Corporative, etc. Carrying out investigations at land registries and the Corporate Affairs Commission mostly on behalf of corporate entities) Assist Senior Associates in carrying out researches, especially authorities for writing briefs in preparations for court proceedings. EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria – LLM -) Modules taken: Advanced Company Law, Law of Commercial Transactions, Economic Law and Air & Space Law. The Nigerian Law School Abuja, Nigeria –BL (Barrister at Law) Second Class -) Modules taken: Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Property Law and Law-in-practice. University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria – LLB (Hons) Second Class Upper Division -) Modules taken: Law of Contract, Equity and Trust Law, Property Law, International Law, Company Law, Conflict of Laws, Trade Law, amongst others. University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria – Diploma in Law (DIL), Credit -) Modules taken: Company Law, Contract Law, Equity and Trust, Human Rights Law, Legal Process, amongst others. RESEARCH/PUBLICATIONS  “Criminal Justice System in Nigeria: A Need for Reform”. Being a project in partial fulfillment of the requirement for an LL.B Degree, Supervised by Prof. Ikponmwosa Omoruyi (September, 2010).  “The NIPC Act, Foreign Investment and Local Economic Policies: The Nigerian Case Study”. Being a project in partial fulfillment of the requirement for an LL.M Degree, Supervised by Prof. (Mrs.) Odiase Alegiemelen (May, 2017).  “Making Plans For Your Children, For When You’re Gone” Published on Bellanaija.com (7th of September, 2019)  “Legal Options For You as a Victim of Medical Negligence in Nigeria” Published on Bellanaija.com (31st July, 2020)  “Work Place Hazards and Holding Employers Accountable” Published on Bellanaija.com (27th of August, 2020) VARIOUS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD     President Legal Aid Scheme (NYSC) from May 2012-October 2012. Financial Secretary Legal Aid Scheme (NYSC) from January 2012- May 2012. Head of Civil Litigation Group, Law School Moot and Mock Trial-November 2010. Secretary University of Benin Law Class of 2010. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS     Member, Nigerian Bar Association Member, International Federation of Women Lawyers(FIDA) Member, Institute of Professional Negotiators and Mediators Member, International Project Management Professionals (IPMP) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Certificates:  Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera (in view) Skills:  Technical: Proficiency in Microsoft Suite: Word (Advanced), Outlook (Advanced), Excel (Intermediate), PowerPoint (Advanced) Other Skills:  Excellent in verbal and written communication skills, attention to details, strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Languages:  English (Native); Igbo(Native) Interests:  Research, Reading and Travelling. *Evaluated and eligible to take the New York Bar exams in 2025.