CHAZAI & PARTNERS is a business law firm dedicated to Africa, that offers innovative and accessible legal and tax advice and services to local and multinational companies, banks, financial institutions, governments and other public sector entities, as well as individual investors, in accordance with best international standards and practices.
The Firm was founded in 2017 by partners Aurélie Chazai, Flora Wamba and Sarada Nya, lawyers admitted to the Cameroon and Paris Bars. They practiced for several years in top international law firms in Europe (Cleary Gottlieb, Linklaters, DWF or Herbert Smith Freehills, Herald, Gide Loyrette Nouel) before they decided to settle in Africa to offer directly on the continent a full range of services adapted to the specific needs of local transactions and projects.
In 2019, the Firm welcomed its fourth partner, Emmanuel Massoda, who is one of the most renowned litigation specialists in Cameroon.
The Firm is based in Douala (Cameroon). It also has an office in Paris (France) and a presence in the cities of Port-Gentil and Libreville (Gabon).
With lawyers admitted to three Bars (Cameroon, Paris and Nigeria), Chazai & Partners is active in all areas of business law (especially OHADA law). The Firm intervenes in a broad range of advisory and litigation matters, including:
- Corporate Law & Mergers and Acquisitions;
- Corporate Governance;
- Commercial Law, Franchising & Distribution;
- Banking and Finance;
- Private Equity;
- Capital Markets;
- Litigation & Arbitration;
- Labour Law;
- Insurance;
- Restructuring & Insolvency Proceedings;
- Public Law, Public Procurement & Public-Private Partnerships;
- Energy Law;
- Mining Law;
- Oil & Gas;
- Real Estate Law and Transactions;
- Construction Law;
- Intellectual Property Law & Technology;
- Competition Law;
- Telecommunications
- Transportation & Maritime Law;
- Customs Law;
- Criminal Law; and
- Taxation.
From its inception, the Firm has adopted a strong digital culture that allows flexibility and reactivity. In addition to this, the Firm is organized into specialized departments (Bank and Finance, Corporate and M&A, Insurance and Transportation, Energy and Mining, IP & IT, Litigation and Arbitration) in order to effectively address its clients’ specific needs.
The Firm maintains a strong international network through strategic collaborations with top American, European and African law firms, and is a member of several referral networks. In this respect, the Firm often acts as local counsel or focal point in international transactions relating to its jurisdictions and others in Central Africa.
Finally, the Firm participates in sharing legal information by regularly publishing doctrinal articles, news briefs and a quarterly Newsletter.