FRA Law, one of Nigeria’s most established law firms, recently chose Alade Williams, to charter the business’s future developments and capabilities as it heads towards a globalised working environment. Folarin Williams, who handed over the reins of Managing Partner to Alade, said senior partners were convinced that he has the requisite skills, knowledge, experience, appetite and drive to lead the firm into the next era.
Twenty years ago the firm's business was heavily dependent on the litigation practice, but they have since grown their transactional practice. Alade is well suited to build on this, says Folarin, who sees the firm being better positioned to leverage technology in its service delivery.
“Similarly, the development of our industry-specific knowledge in areas such as mining, healthcare, fintech and telecommunication services is in tandem with Alade’s skill sets. He is very committed to the firm’s foundational ethics as laid down by our founder. This, I believe, is fundamental to our success and that of all our stakeholders, and forms a solid basis for our future growth.”
Efe Etomi, a senior partner who has been with the firm for almost 30 years, and is the President of the African Women Lawyers Association agreed that Alade was most suited to lead the firm into reimagining itself in the digital era.
Alade told Africa Legal that he is excited about the new chapter in his career and that his association with TerraLex, a network of quality law firms, of which he is the co-vice chair of the Africa and Middle East region, stands him in good stead.
“I’m also on the board of directors of TerraLex. I believe that this positions me in a place where I can successfully leverage the network to achieve the firm’s objective of surpassing its legacy as one of the top law firms in Nigeria, to become one of the top law firms in all of West Africa by attracting the top talent from across the region,” Alade commented.
Growing the business, elevating its visibility in Nigeria within the corporate and commercial transactional practice, and expanding outside Nigeria, feature high on Alade’s to do list.
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