Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Nana Adjoa Hackman explains how the firm is adapting to clients’ changing needs and getting things done.

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Africa Legal Associates (ALA) from your competitors?

ALA stands out from its competitors in several key aspects and continues to establish its position as a leader in the legal landscape. Firstly, the firm prides itself on its cohesive, knowledgeable, and skilled team, comprised of individuals who are not only excellent in their main areas of practice, but also possess a versatility that allows them to excel across various legal domains. This close-knit group fosters an environment where every team member collaborates seamlessly, enhancing overall efficiency and ensuring that clients receive the highest quality of service. Moreover, the team exemplifies the firm’s motto “We get it done” and is dedicated to going the extra mile to deliver optimal results tailored to the specific needs of its clients.

One other thing which sets ALA apart is our strong pan-African focus and desire to contribute to the development of the legal and economic landscape of Africa. The firm has strategically expanded its network and practice across the African continent through partnerships with other firms and corporate entities. With our co-founder and Senior Partner being the founder and chairman of Africa Prosperity /Network, ALA collaborates with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Africa Prosperity Network to organise the annual Africa Prosperity Dialogues (dubbed Africa’s Davos), which is a platform dedicated to mobilising Africa’s private sector to own and drive Africa’s prosperity agenda, including the creation of the world’s largest single market of Africa’s 55 states and 1.4 billion people. This, among other activities, demonstrates our proactive engagement in shaping the future of Africa's legal and economic landscape.

Furthermore, ALA continues to establish a robust global network, facilitating partnerships and unlocking opportunities for its clients beyond the African continent. By forging partnerships with reputable law firms in Africa, the United Kingdom, and South America – particularly in Guyana – the firm is doing its part in facilitating collaborations between local and international businesses and other entities. ALA initiated, funded, and saw to the establishment of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce in Guyana, the first African chamber of commerce in Georgetown, which hosts the headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This is enhancing opportunities for its clients and other businesses within the jurisdiction of Ghana, to engage in cross-border trade and investment in oil-rich Guyana.

The firm is accredited as a member of the Commonwealth Legal Network. ALA is so far, the only Ghanaian firm which is a member of CLN. ALA is also a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), again the only law firm in Ghana with this status. ALA leverages these affiliations to provide clients with a unique range of services and access to key business and investment opportunities within the Commonwealth and beyond. With partners in the firm assuming leadership roles within these organisations, ALA is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of international business and provide unparalleled value to its clients.

ALA has also opened an affiliate in the Caribbean, ALA Strategic Consult, which offers advisory services in Guyana and works closely with organisations such as the Afreximbank, which has started operations in the Caribbean region.

In addition to our dedicated efforts in developing our existing associates, we prioritise the development of young lawyers through mentoring and training sessions. This ensures that the foundation of our practice remains robust and continually fortified.

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

In the upcoming 12 months, we anticipate significant growth in several key practice areas within our firm, driven by various factors and strategic initiatives.

Firstly, our Dispute Resolution Department, which covers both litigation and alternative dispute resolution is expanding. Following the recent promotion of Ernest Kusi, a senior associate to partner and Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department, we have bolstered our manpower and intellectual resources by increasing our annual intake of pupils. This surge in talent not only enhances our capacity for resolving disputes through litigation or alternative methods but also brings forth a wealth of innovative ideas and sharpened skills honed through rigorous training programmes.

Similarly, our Corporate and Commercial Practice is primed for growth. With the meticulousness of Ebow Brew-Hammond, who heads this department, coupled with ongoing training sessions conducted by external facilitators in pivotal areas such as Due Diligence and Mergers and Acquisitions, we anticipate heightened efficiency and efficacy in servicing our corporate clientele. The expertise and enthusiasm of our leadership in this area promises to further elevate our capabilities and service delivery standards.

Our Energy and Natural Resource Practice is also positioned for growth, particularly in light of recent developments in Ghana's legal framework governing the exploitation of lithium. Leveraging our existing experience in the mining, oil, and gas sectors, we have started advising investors in this burgeoning arena, capitalising on our firm's robust legal acumen and industry knowledge.

Additionally, the field of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practice presents a promising avenue for expansion. With our associates undergoing specialised training to enhance our ESG capabilities, we are strategically positioned to provide clients with comprehensive advice that incorporates environmental, social and governance considerations. This commitment aligns with our firm's ethos of contributing to sustainable development efforts. Our ESG practice aims at assisting both corporate and government organisations in understanding the opportunities that ESG considerations present to their businesses and how they can position themselves strategically to attract investment whilst adopting sustainable practices to ensure ESG compliance, long-term stability, and growth. On our own part, our lawyers contribute hours volunteering through Drive to Inspire – Africa, a non-profit initiative focused on inspiring and mentoring young people especially girls aged between 13 and 25, across Africa.

Lastly, the progression of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to drive demand for legal services on cross-border transactions. With our extensive experience and strategic positioning as an Africa-focused practice, we are well-equipped to capitalise on the emerging opportunities within the Pan-African landscape. Through collaborations with other law firms, legal institutions, and relevant stakeholders, we aim to enhance legal services, contribute to thought leadership and foster greater access to legal resources throughout Africa, thereby contributing to the continent's socioeconomic advancement and integration efforts.

3) What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients?

A major change that we have made at ALA that will benefit greatly our clients is the development and implementation of our bespoke Practice Management Software. This innovative software has been designed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of our legal team and administrative staff by streamlining the management of transactions, cases, and matters.

ALA’s Practice Management Software facilitates a seamless collaboration between our lawyers and administrative staff, ensuring that all aspects of client representation are managed efficiently. Tailored to meet the specific needs of our firm and our clients, this software enables partners and management to monitor the progress of transactions, cases, and matters in real-time, and allows prompt detection and resolution of any issues that may arise. This proactive approach not only improves our overall service delivery but also provides our clients with greater transparency and peace of mind throughout the legal process.

In addition to the Practice Management Software, we have also made significant advancements in data protection and cyber-security measures to safeguard our clients' sensitive information. Through comprehensive training sessions and the development of robust policies, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and security in all our interactions. Furthermore, initiatives such as the introduction of a chat function on our website and the publication of informative articles and Supreme Court judgments demonstrate our dedication to enhancing accessibility, transparency, and client engagement.

Overall, these changes underscore ALA’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and value to our clients. By investing in cutting-edge technology, training, and communication channels, we are ready to meet the evolving needs of our clients and deliver unparalleled legal solutions that drive success and foster long-term relationships.

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Certainly! Technology is constantly changing, for the better, the manner in which we communicate with our clients and our lawyers. Beyond traditional methods such as emails, text messages and phones calls, we are able to leverage advanced video conferencing facilities for a more interactive communication with our clients and our personnel. Supported by versatile software that can be used on computers, laptops, and even smart phones, communication with our clients has been elevated to a whole new level.  These technological innovations allow us to work from anywhere in the world as long as there is a good internet connectivity. Clients are also able to reach us from the comfort of their various jurisdictions and the interaction is as personal as if it were a face-to-face interaction. In essence, technology streamlines our responsiveness and efficiency, facilitating swift, instantaneous communication.

The use of a Practice Management Software has made our practice more organised and productive. The technology assists, among other things, in logging and delegating tasks.  Delegated tasks can then be easily supervised to ensure timeous delivery of the tasks.

Furthermore, technology has revolutionised our record keeping practices, providing secure storage and instant access to client information and case files. Electronic record keeping not only enhances accessibility but also facilitates seamless collaboration among lawyers and clients, all while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations through advanced encryption and anti-malware measures.

Technology has also replaced labour-intensive manual searches with efficient online law libraries and interactive platforms. As such our lawyers no longer have to spend uncountable hours reading through heavy hard copy text in order to find the answers that best suit the clients’ needs. This reduction in research time enables us to deliver results promptly, meeting our clients' needs with speed and precision.

Moreover, technological advancements have given rise to new fields requiring legal regulation, such as cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Our clients who operate in these spheres lean on our lawyers for legal advice in these uncharted territories. To be able to advise and assist our clients better on these matters, we have enhanced our own inhouse knowledge and understanding of these matters through training. Through a blend of technology and human expertise, we are able to assist clients as they navigate these emerging areas of practice, providing tailored solutions to meet their evolving needs.

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

One instance where we effectively helped a client add value to its business involved a real estate entrepreneur who sought our assistance in resolving a debt recovery issue. Before engaging ALA, this client operated a sole-proprietorship real estate business, and he approached us to assist him to resolve a challenge in recovering some money from a buyer. While addressing the immediate debt recovery matter, we identified an opportunity for broader business enhancement.

Recognizing the client's potential exposure to personal liability risks stemming from the business's operations, we advised and facilitated the transition of his business structure from a sole proprietorship to a company limited by shares. By assisting him with the incorporation of the business, we helped the client strategically separate the corporate entity from his personal assets, thereby providing a crucial layer of legal protection.

This transformation not only addressed the immediate debt recovery concern but also positioned the client's business for long-term growth and resilience. By shielding the client personally from potential liabilities arising from the corporate entity's transactions, we empowered him to navigate future business endeavours with greater confidence and security. This multifaceted intervention exemplifies ALA’s commitment to delivering holistic solutions tailored to our clients' unique needs, ultimately facilitating their success and sustainability in a dynamic business environment.

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Ultimately, clients are looking for solutions, i.e., for their unique problems to be resolved speedily and in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Consequently, clients often hire law firms based on their ability and reputation for getting things done. However, the stability and strategic direction of a firm play a crucial role in determining how effectively solutions are delivered, and the potential for repeat business. By ensuring that the right internal structures are in place, and promptly addressing any bottlenecks that may impede results, we empower our team to tackle problems head-on.

In the next three years, we see ALA as growing more in our reputation as trusted service provider for our clients. Building upon our commitment to delivering effective solutions promptly and skilfully, we aim to cement our position as a preferred choice for corporate legal services. By prioritising the development of our team members and enhancing our collective capabilities, we anticipate further growth and success in addressing a diverse range of client challenges.

We also seek to expand on our network of corporate law firms in Africa, including Francophone Africa, to intensify our intra-Africa plug-in, especially in an era where free movement of people, goods and services across Africa is about to experience exponential growth.

Our long-term vision extends beyond helping the clients we currently have; we aspire to establish ALA as a reliable and reputable presence, both locally and internationally. With a focus on nurturing our strengths and fostering a culture of excellence, we aim to position ourselves as leaders in the legal industry, known for our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results. By leveraging our expertise and resources effectively, we seek to build a legacy that transcends generations – a pan-African legacy of excellence, integrity, and innovation, trusted by clients and respected by peers across the globe.