 BRIEF DESCRIPTION/HISTORY
Frankwilliams & Co. was established in 1981 as a full service commercial and IP practice. Over the years, the firm has acted in many of the most significant commercial, banking, privatization and capital market transactions in Nigeria, and is often consulted to render advice and service as local counsel to foreign law firms and organizations.The firm's clientele ranges from the largest multinational companies to the small companies, and the firm is the designated local counsel to some multinational conglomerates consistently listed in the top segment of "Fortune 500" companies.
We were the first Nigerian law firm to be registered as Consultants to the African Development Bank ("ADB"); and have also acted for other regional and multi-lateral Development Financial Institutions, such as Shelter Afrique, and the firm has, on past occasions, acted extensively for COFACE (Companie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur) and BFCE (Banque Francaise pour Commerce Exterieur), which are both national agencies of France.
Without fear of contradiction, it can safely be said that, within the Nigerian market, the firm has handled more PUBLIC (SHARE/STOCK) OFFERS; GOVERNMENT BOND ISSUES; and PRIVATIZATION mandates than any other law firms (local or international).
Amidst several milestone transactions, Frankwilliams & Co. was appointed in 1997 by the Federal Ministry of Finance, as Consultants for the formulation of appropriate legislation and regulatory guidelines for a new Capital Market framework for Nigeria, and our report eventually metamorphosed into the Investments and Securities Act of 1999, which is the current legislation guiding all securities and capital market transactions in Nigeria. The firm also undertook the legal mandate for registration and incorporation of a new National Stock Exchange, viz. Abuja Stock Exchange Plc.
In 1998, we were appointed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission ("NIPC") as technical advisers and editorial consultants for the compilation and publication of the official handbook titled: "INVESTORS' GUIDE TO NIGERIA", which serves as the nation's official marketing document to investors.
Collectively and individually, members of the firm are often invited as resource discussants and contributing authors on banking, securities, corporate and commercial practice.
MAJOR PRACTICE AREAS
i. General Corporate and Commercial;
ii. Banking and Securities;
iii. Tax;
OTHER PRACTICE AREAS
Within its resources, the firm is able to provide legal advice and services as regards:-
i. Project and Asset Finance;
ii. Securities and Structured Financing;
iii. Capital Markets;
iv. Privatization;
v. Taxation and Tax Related Issues
vi. Legal Regulatory and Compliance Audit;
vii. Business Set-ups, Company Formation and Trans-National Joint Ventures;
viii. Civil Litigation, including the local enforcement of foreign court orders;
ix. Arbitration and Alternate Dispute Resolution ("ADR");
x. Recovery of Claims;
xi. Communications Media;
"MISSION STATEMENT"
"As a matter of deliberate policy, the firm has opted to remain as a compact and seasoned team of counsel that combines its broad commercial law expertise with the knowledge of local business norms in order to provide practical and customized solutions to clients requests.
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