List of Practice Area
Real Estate
Our Real Estate Practice delivers sophisticated legal advisory and dispute resolution services across the full spectrum of property transactions and development projects. We advise developers, institutional investors, financial institutions, landlords, corporate occupiers, and high-net-worth individuals on complex real estate matters involving both transactional and contentious work.
We provide strategic legal support in:
Property acquisitions and disposals
Commercial and residential leasing
Title verification and due diligence
Real estate financing and mortgage documentation
Foreclosure and secured credit enforcement
Land and property disputes
Members of our team have represented major property developers in high-value disputes concerning prime real estate assets in Lagos and have acted for financial institutions in mortgage-related litigation and enforcement proceedings before Nigerian courts.
We combine deep knowledge of Nigerian property law and regulatory frameworks with strong commercial insight to safeguard investments, manage risk exposure, and ensure seamless execution across the property lifecycle.
Our approach is strategic, detail-oriented, and results-driven — designed to protect and enhance our clients’ real estate interests in an evolving market landscape.
Capital Market
Our Capital Markets Practice provides strategic advisory and high-level representation in complex securities and investment-related matters. We advise market operators, financial institutions, issuers, and senior executives on regulatory compliance, enforcement proceedings, and capital market disputes.
Members of our team have advised and appeared on behalf of the Nigerian Exchange Group (formerly Nigerian Stock Exchange) and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) in capital market–related disputes. We have also represented clients in proceedings before the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) and various High Courts across Nigeria.
Our experience includes being part of the legal team that represented and secured a significant victory for a former Group Managing Director of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc in a capital markets dispute at both the IST and the Court of Appeal.
We combine regulatory depth, procedural expertise, and strategic advocacy to protect our clients’ interests within Nigeria’s evolving capital markets framework, ensuring compliance, reputation management, and effective dispute resolution at the highest levels.
Maritime/Transport/International Trades and Cross-border Disputes
Our Maritime Practice delivers comprehensive advisory and dispute resolution services across the shipping and transport sector. We represent shipowners, charterers, financial institutions, insurers, logistics operators, and maritime stakeholders in complex transactional and contentious matters.
Our litigation and arbitration experience spans claims involving:
Vessel arrest and release
Ship mortgages and secured financing
Ship sale and purchase transactions
Shipbuilding contracts
Charterparties
Shipping and maritime commercial agreements
In addition to dispute resolution, we provide broad-based transactional advisory services, including regulatory compliance, structured maritime financing, and contractual risk allocation. We also advise on sector-specific regulatory frameworks and policy matters within Nigeria’s maritime and transport industries.
We combine technical maritime knowledge, commercial insight, and strategic advocacy to safeguard our clients’ assets, manage operational risk, and ensure regulatory alignment in an increasingly complex global shipping environment.
Energy, Power and Solid Minerals
Our Energy, Power & Natural Resources Practice provides strategic advisory and dispute resolution services to domestic and international stakeholders across the oil, gas, power, and mining sectors.
Members of our team have advised and represented International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria in oil spill litigation and complex commercial disputes before various courts across the country. We understand the regulatory, environmental, and operational sensitivities that define the energy sector and provide counsel that balances legal precision with commercial realities.
We have also advised and represented a consortium of local and international energy and power companies on sector-specific disputes and regulatory matters. Our experience includes participation in the legal team that advised and represented Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKDC) in disputes arising from its operational activities.
In addition, members of our team have represented the Dangote Group and were part of the team that secured a significant court victory in a high-profile and complex mining dispute.
We combine deep sector knowledge, regulatory insight, and strategic advocacy to protect investments, manage operational risk, and navigate the evolving legal and policy landscape within Nigeria’s energy and natural resources industry.
Taxation
Our Tax Practice provides high-level advisory and dispute resolution services across complex domestic and cross-border tax matters. We advise multinational corporations, financial institutions, and local enterprises on regulatory compliance, tax structuring, and contentious tax proceedings.
Members of our team have previously been part of the legal team that advised and represented a major multinational corporation in a significant tax dispute before the Tax Appeal Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The dispute concerned the applicability of Value Added Tax (VAT) to imported intangible services. Notably, certain legal positions advanced during the proceedings contributed to legislative refinement through subsequent amendments to the relevant provisions of the VAT framework under the Finance Act.
We have also advised and represented clients in disputes and advisory engagements involving:
Transfer pricing
Withholding tax
Company income tax
Value Added Tax (VAT)
State taxation powers, including levies on mining and extractive companies
Our approach integrates technical tax expertise with commercial awareness and regulatory foresight. We work closely with clients to manage exposure, resolve disputes efficiently, and ensure compliance within Nigeria’s evolving fiscal and legislative landscape.
Corporate and White-Collar Crimes/Investigation
Our White Collar Crime & Investigations Practice provides strategic defense and advisory services in high-stakes corporate, financial, and economic crime matters. We represent senior executives, financial institutions, politically exposed persons, multinational entities, and business leaders in sensitive and complex proceedings.
Members of our team have appeared in courts across Nigeria defending clients charged with allegations including money laundering, petroleum subsidy–related offences, and other corporate and financial crimes. Our experience includes representation of former bank group managing directors, oil marketers, senior public office holders, business executives, and other high-profile individuals in significant enforcement actions.
We also advise and represent clients in investigations and regulatory inquiries initiated by law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, providing strategic counsel from the earliest stages of engagement through litigation, where necessary.
Given the reputational and commercial implications often associated with such matters, we approach every engagement with discretion, strategic foresight, and rigorous advocacy — ensuring our clients’ rights are protected while navigating complex regulatory and enforcement frameworks.
Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets, Data Protection/Technology
Our Intellectual Property, Technology & Data Practice provides forward-looking legal advisory and dispute resolution services in an increasingly digital and innovation-driven economy. We advise both local and multinational entities on the protection, commercialization, and enforcement of intellectual assets.
Our experience spans disputes and advisory engagements relating to:
Trademarks
Copyrights
Trade secrets
Brand protection and infringement claims
Members of our team have represented leading creatives and corporate entities in high-value copyright disputes, including ongoing representation in a significant infringement action involving a prominent Nigerian music composer and a major record label.
We maintain a growing and dynamic practice in data protection and privacy law, advising clients on regulatory compliance, risk management, and governance frameworks within Nigeria’s evolving data protection landscape.
Our firm is also actively engaged in the blockchain and digital asset ecosystem. Our Partners are expert members of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN) and regularly speak at industry conferences and regulatory forums on blockchain governance and digital asset regulation. We currently advise technology startups and innovation-driven enterprises on blockchain-related projects, regulatory structuring, and compliance strategy.
We combine technical understanding, regulatory insight, and commercial strategy to protect innovation, manage digital risk, and position our clients for sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
SMES & Startups
In recognition of the role of SMEs and startups in the Nigerian and African economy, our Firm has a specialized and tailor-made, flexible and cost reflective service offering for the SMEs and startups.
We equally offer dedicated legal training and services to startups on how to build a legally protected business and at the same time hand-hold them whilst they transit into the growth stage. We are currently
advising some tech startups on a number of investment-related deals and transactions.
Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
At TLS, we pride ourselves as the go-to-firm in litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution practice. Our Partners have garnered significant experiences in this practice area having represented local and international clients in complex and high-profile litigation and dispute resolution cases across the courts in Nigeria and up to the Supreme Court. Our expertise lies in being innovative and strategic in solving
problems and managing litigation risks. With our main office in Lagos and branch offices strategically located in Abuja and Port Harcourt, we are uniquely equipped to represent our clients at short notice throughout Nigeria.
We have also secured collaboration with key lawyers outside Nigeria and across Africa which puts us in a position to advise on cross-border issues.
Our litigation and dispute resolution experience span complex litigation and arbitration dispute resolution relating to contracts, banks, finance, taxation, maritime and transport, commercial transactions, corporate affairs, oil and gas, power, intellectual property, construction, labour and employment relations, international trade, insolvency, real estate, election petition and political disputes, white collar crime and investigation amongst other commercial disputes.
In the course of their careers and practices, our partners have in the past represented major local and international clients and government agencies which include Access Bank Plc, GT Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Dangote Group, Exxon Mobil, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), NDIC, MTN Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, PZ Cussons Plc, UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) amongst others.
Banking and Finance/FINTECH
We have advised, represented and appeared in Courts for most of Nigerian tier 1 and tier 2 Banks (including but not limited to Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Stanbic Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc) in highly complex commercial disputes and secured favourable judgments in some of the concluded matters.
Our partners have been involved in recovery of debts and loan facilities of a combined value of over N20 Billion for top Nigerian commercial Banks. In 2019, we were part of the Team that advised and represented Guaranty Trust Bank in the recovering of multi-billion Naira facility owed by one of its customers. In 2021, one of our Partners was the Team that achieved a similar feat for Access Bank Plc in a multi-billion Naira debt recovery suit.
We commenced and conducted Trials and obtained judgments in favour of Banks and other commercial entities in a wide range of commercial disputes and also provided strategic solutions on debt restructuring arising from protracted litigations and negotiations. One of our Partners was also in the Team that represented Access Bank Plc at the Federal High Court, in respect of dispute arising from its merger with Diamond Bank Plc. The Merger led to Access Bank Plc becoming the Africa’s Largest Retail Bank and biggest bank in Nigeria in terms of assets.