…building strong and reliable businesses

Dispute Resolution . Intellectual Property . Real Estate

Our FocusOur focus is solely on our clients and their businesses.

WHO WE AREAt SMB legal Consult, excellent client service underpins all that we do and we focus on this as our priority at all times. Our unique working culture is open, collaborative and strongly client-focused.

SMB Legal Consult was set up to practice exclusively in the challenging fields of intellectual property, Real Estate, Corporate Commercial and Private Client  practice areas. We work with clients of every size and type, from global organizations, government and non-profit businesses, to smaller entrepreneurs and private individuals. Our main aim is to solve the legal needs of our clients to their satisfaction. Our sole interest is  the growth of our clients’ businesses.

We equip ourselves to meet with the challenges of consistently providing value added services and to be better focused in rendering to our growing number of clients the highest standard of professional services. Clients choose to work with us because we can provide exceptional lawyers with industry expertise and strong commercial knowledge of their businesses.Our Clients value our flexible approach to teamwork and the fact that we will shape our structures and way of working to meet their specific needs.

We are a small firm with big law firm resources and technology. Our size makes it easier for us to offer personalized services to our clients with speed, flexibility and a level of value that is often lost in large law firms.We provide the highest standards of legal and business advice to clients across Nigeria. Working through an international network of like-minded law firms, we also support our clients who require advice outside Nigeria (Africa).

Our Mission/GoalsWe believe that our position is at the top and we must earn it with our actions, words, great service and genuine affection for our clients and their businesses.

Our Services

As an industry-focused group, we strive to add a commercial perspective using our understanding of the business environment in which you work. The result is that we are able to give you bespoke and relevant advice, which adds real value to your project/business.

Our services in the manufacturing/ Distribution sectorWe understand the core legal needs of manufacturing and distribution businesses to be: Negotiating good business deals (purchasing, sale, franchise, licensing etc.), protecting your manufacturing processes and brands from being counterfeited, misrepresented or imported without your license, protecting your business’ trade secrets, minimizing risks, increasing revenue streams and maximizing profits.

A well written contract, registration of your business, protecting and enforcing your Intellectual property rights (patent, trademarks, industrial designs, trade secrets and copyrights), compliance with business laws, licensing and franchising will help protect your brands, minimize risks, cut losses, increase your revenue streams and maximize profits.

Our services in this regard include:a. Regulatory Compliance/ Advisory: Company registration, secretarial

services, boardroom disputes management, Mergers & Acquisitions, succession in business, legal opinion and advisory, registration with NAFDAC, NOTAP (National office for Technology Transfer and Administration Program) contract (joint ventures, turnkey, technology transfer, distribution, employee etc.) negotiation, drafting and vetting.

b. Intellectual Property (IP): Franchising, intellectual property licensing, registration ,renewal and enforcement of patent, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs rights, protection of trade secrets, due diligence, intellectual property audit and valuation, IP dispute resolution (litigation, mediation, conciliation and arbitration) and brand protection strategies.

c. Real Estate: Procuring office spaces, land for factory location, warehouse, residential houses for staff (lease or outright purchase), real estate dispute resolution, perfection of title and land documentation.

Why you need our services: At SMB Legal Consult, we understand your needs as we are experienced in the

manufacturing sector and know exactly how to move your business to the next level.

Some clients worked with in the manufacturing/Distribution sector:i. Acouns Nigeria LTDii. Labiofam S.Aiii. Bobo food & Beverages LTDiv. Dirui Industrial Co. LTDv. Lab Assist Nigeria LTD

Effective Intellectual Property management is important and often critical to business success.

Our Services in the Other Focus Sectors: Service (Hotels, clubs, restaurants, casinos, sports, entertainment, advertising), healthcare, infrastructure/real estate, natural resources and utility, businesses are our focus sectors aside manufacturing and agriculture).The core legal needs of these businesses are mainly: a. Regulatory Compliance/ Advisory: Company registration, secretarial services, boardroom

disputes management, Mergers & Acquisitions, succession in business, shareholders & boardroom dispute management, legal opinion and advisory, registration of technology transfer contracts with NOTAP (National office for Technology Transfer and Administration Program) contract (joint ventures, turnkey, technology transfer, distribution, employee etc.) negotiation, drafting and vetting.

b. Intellectual Property (IP): Franchising, intellectual property licensing, registration ,renewal and enforcement of trademarks, copyrights, rights, protection of trade secrets, due diligence, intellectual property audit and valuation, IP dispute resolution (litigation, mediation, conciliation and arbitration) and brand protection strategies.

c. Real Estate: Financing, Joint ventures, Mergers and acquisitions of real estate based businesses, Restructurings and workouts of troubled loans, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Project developments, Procuring office spaces, land for factory location, warehouse, residential houses for staff, real estate dispute resolution, perfection of title and land documentation.

SMB’s Real Estate Practice has been involved in numerous landmark real estate finance, private equity and development transactions, advising multinationals, small and medium scale servicing companies.

Licensing of Intellectual Property Rights is a Vital Component of the Business Growth Strategy .

Our team of lawyers are actively involved in the real estate aspects of public offerings, multi-property mortgages and financings of multi-jurisdictional portfolios, including numerous REITs transactions. 

Many years of advising the businesses in the service sector has taught us that managing risk and finding practical solutions to the challenges  faced within the service industry are central not only to helping our  clients protect their interests and achieve commercial success, but also to ensuring an impeccable clients’ experience.

Some of Our Clients in the Service Sector:i. Primus ‘N’ Advertore ii. Procomtel Limitediii. Daleji Properties Limitediv. City-Code Savings & Loans

Any business contemplating a merger, franchise outright sale, licensing or assignment of its Intellectual Property assets needs an IP audit and valuation.

Our Services to Foreign Investors in NigeriaThe core legal needs of foreign investors in Nigeria are:i. Understanding the Nigerian legal framework and ensuring their businesses comply with Nigerian

business lawsii. Less cumbersome, expensive, stress free business startup and reduction of business risks to the

barest minimum.Being fully aware of relevant laws and regulations or having someone who knows represent you and your business gives a sound foundation to your venture.

At SMB Legal Consult, we provide investors with a one stop shop services for all documents and approvals that are statutorily needed to set up an investment project and settle down securely in Nigeria. Our aim is to remove obstacles and overcome bureaucracy faced by investors in setting up and running of businesses in Nigeria.Our services include:a. General Information and data on the Nigerian economy to facilitate informed investment decisions.b. Company, subsidiary and branch registration/Incorporationc. Prompt granting of business entry approvals, business permit, expatriate quota, work and resident

permit, pioneer status and authorization to enable investors to set up an investment project.d. Assist in opening a bank account and obtaining certificate of capital importation (CCI)e. Facilitating post-entry approvals, licenses and sector-specific permits with statutory government

agencies with extant regulatory mandate like NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control), NOTAP(National office for Technology Acquisition Program).

f. Airport Logistic Service – meet and greet and local transportation arrangements. Hotel Accommodation Arrangements. Advising and assisting with procuring accommodation (Office and Residential).

Effective Intellectual Property management is important and often critical to business success.

Our Services to Private ClientsThe protection, maintenance and governance of business and personal wealth is a major concern for high net worth individuals and families.

The transfer of wealth and the management of family wealth is increasingly giving rise to disputes even in most cohesive families.

At SMB Legal Consult, we advise high net worth individuals and families on: a. Family office set up and managementb. Business and family reputation managementc. Private tax planning, d. Set up and management of philanthropic structurese. Resolution of disputes in family businessf. Real property management and estate planningg. Wills, probate and administration of estates h. Structuring of investment transactions which includes asset protection, risk mitigation and

succession planningWe also advise families, trustees and fiduciaries on trust and estate disputes

Succession issue in family-controlled and family owned businesses and shareholding raise complex estate planning issues. Hence for a smooth transition from owners to new owners/management and the continued success of the business there is a need to consider family interests and that of employees .

At SMB Legal Consult, we take care to ensure that all facets of the complex process are addressed taking into account our clients’ values, philosophy and providing flexibility in changing circumstances.

SMB Legal Consult: Exceeding clients' expectations

Our Services to Charities/Social Enterprises and the Public Sector

Our Charities and Social Enterprise team is made up of lawyers covering all practice areas from across the firm. Our approach is to provide the widest range of business services, drawing on our nationally recognized commercial expertise, along with in-depth advice from our charity law specialists. Our services in this regard include:

 charities/Social Enterprise/Guarantee Companiesa. Advising on all aspects of charity law and regulation, review of arrangements and

constitutions, tax advice, establishing and registering charities, constitutional and Corporate governance advice.

b. Advising on mergers, joint ventures and secretarial matersc. Providing advice on image protection, defamation and other media issues ensuring your brand

remains protectedd. Planned giving, endowments, fundraising, charitable gaming and sponsorship and risk

managemente. Advising on sponsorship, borrowing, financing, funding, licensing and other agreementsf. Acquisitions and disposals of charity land and procuring office and residential apartments.

We advise many local and international charities from small grant-making trusts and local community organizations to large universities and other charities.

Trust ManagementOur Trust Management lawyers provide legal advice to trustees on all aspects of trust management including charitable trusts.

Our services in the public sector are solely real estate advisory and contract negotiation.

Our commercial attitude, combined with our empowering and down-to-earth style, means you can trust us to provide you with the best possible legal solutions.

Meet Our TeamWe are a small firm with big law firm resources and technology. Our size makes it easier for us to offer personalized services to our clients with speed, flexibility and a level of value that is often lost in large law firms.

Mr. Paul Chinedu Ezema BL, LLBMr. Paul Chinedu Ezema is a partner in the firm heading the Litigation, Dispute Resolution and real estate Practice groups of the Firm. 

He is an ardent Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation Practitioner with vast experience in diverse aspects of complex and multi-faceted Commercial disputes cutting across Trial and Appellate Courts, as well as Ad-Hoc Tribunals.

He has over the years become a leading light in the Intellectual Property Rights protection and enforcement practice sector in Nigeria.

Chinenye Obiozor (Mrs.) MALD, BL, LLBChinenye is a partner in the firm and the head of the Intellectual Property (IP) and private client's practice units of the firm. With many years of practical IP and estate planning experience, she is an authority and specialist in these areas of the law. 

She advises numerous blue chip clients and high net worth individuals on all aspects of intellectual property, real estate, as well as related issues; and is personally responsible for the IP portfolio management of a number of internationally renowned corporations. She is a Member of the Nigerian bar Association (NBA), Intellectual Property Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law.

Nkolika Ibekwe (Ms) BL, LLBNkolika Ibekwe is a senior associate in the firm and currently heads the Firm’s Business and Regulatory/ Advisory Unit  and in this role acts as Company Secretary to both publicly quoted and private firms.

She advises on the establishment of foreign businesses in Nigeria as well as company/business law and regulations.Through her professionalism and dedication to work, she is able to act as a one-stop shop to her clients’ regional needs.

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At SMB, we build our teams around your requirements, ensuring that you get the right level of service at all times. This not only means that you receive the best advice and representation, but that it’s done in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Her practice areas also cut across all aspects of anti-counterfeiting, commercialization and enforcement of IPRs .

Mr. Micheal Apebo BL, LLBMr. Micheal Apebo is a senior associate in the firm. He is the head of the real estate practice unit of the firm. Micheal’s practice also covers all aspects of Corporate and Commercial law, with special emphasis on Mergers and Acquisitions.He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Institute of Management and NBA Section on Business Law Committee on Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring.He was called to the Nigerian bar in 2006 and studied law at the University of Ibadan .

CONSULTANTIkechi Mgbeoji, LL.M., J.S.D.Dr. Ikechi Mgbeoji is a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is a consultant to SMB Legal Consult on sports law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984 and subsequently called to practice in the American Bar in 1989. He has been in legal practice for 20 years. Dr. Ikechi is also a professor at Canada’s Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto. A renowned scholar and practitioner.

His main areas of specialization and research are in the areas of Intellectual Property, Sports and Entertainment law. He is the author of so many publications, many in journals of international repute. These include: Global Bio-piracy: Patents, Plants, and Indigenous KnowledgeDr. Ikechi education and awards are stated below:EducationJ.S.D. (Dalhousie) Summa cum laude, LL.M., (Dalhousie) summa cum laude, B.L., (Lagos) , LL.B., (Nigeria)

We offer highly commercial and sector-focused advice on all aspects of real estate transactions and issues.

Some of Our Accomplishmentsa. Engaged as a solicitor by a leading Nigerian property development

company in contract with the Lagos State Government for the development of markets on a build-operate-transfer basis.

b. Solicitor to many Nigerian companies on fund raising involving both private placement and public issues.

c. Solicitor to several companies on the restructuring of their equity and legal corporate structures.

d. conducted due diligence that led to a successful negotiation of an intellectual property licensing for pharmaceutical and IT companies in Lagos.

e. Acted as counsel to several domestic and international brands in providing requisite legal support for their successful intellectual property rights enforcement

f. Retained as solicitors for legal support to the Belgian embassy in its advising role to member companies and citizen’s investment interests.

g. Prepared a major Nigerian automobile company representing a global brand for due diligence towards the acquisition of parts of its equity by a major foreign investor.

We do not see ourselves simply as the drafters of documents. Instead, we are part of your team, helping you achieve your desired outcome. That sometimes means ‘rolling up our sleeves’ to help on issues outside the narrow ambit of a traditional lawyer’s role – we see this as integral to the service we provide.

Contact Us

SMB Legal Consult: Exceeding clients' expectations

Lagos Office (Head Office)Office Address:6B Bendel Close off Bishop Aboyade Cole Street Victoria Island Lagos, NigeriaTelephone: +(234)703-588-3916, 809-655-7874Email: info@smblegalconsult.com.ng

Nnewi Office (Branch Office)Office Address: Suite 3008 DCC Nnewi, Anambra state, NigeriaTelephone:234) 7037824787, (234) 7035883916Email: info@smblegalconsult.com.ngWebsite: www.smblegalconsult.com.ng

Clients choose to work with us because we can provide exceptional lawyers with industry expertise and strong commercial knowledge of their businesses.They value our flexible approach to teamwork and the fact that we will shape our structures and way of working to meet their specific needs.

SMB Legal Consult: The brand you can trust.

Negotiating winning contract deal is our specialty

SMB Legal ConsultProviding practical and strategic legal solutions to businesses , NGOs, government and individuals.We CARE about you and your business’ growth.

Consult with Us. Let ‘s build that business with you