Commercial Lawyer At West Africa Vocational Academies

Work Schedule: Hybrid (4 Days On-site, 1 Day Remote)

About the Role

• Our client is seeking a competent and commercially minded Commercial Lawyer to join its Corporate & Commercial Practice team.
• This role is ideal for a legal professional with strong commercial law expertise and business acumen, who can advise clients on complex commercial transactions, draft and negotiate agreements, conduct due diligence, and provide strategic legal support across a wide range of corporate matters.
• You will be responsible for managing commercial transactions from inception to completion, providing practical legal advice, mitigating legal risks, and supporting clients in achieving their business objectives.
• This is a high-responsibility role for someone who is analytical, proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively within a high-performing legal team.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Commercial Transactions & Contract Management:

• Structure, negotiate, draft, review, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including service agreements, supply agreements, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, employment contracts, and vendor agreements.
• Conduct legal due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, investments, financing transactions, and corporate restructuring exercises.
• Identify legal and commercial risks in contracts and recommend practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Support clients throughout the lifecycle of commercial transactions, ensuring legal compliance and timely execution.
• Review business proposals and commercial arrangements to ensure alignment with applicable laws and client objectives.

Corporate Advisory & Client Management:

• Provide legal advice on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, company secretarial matters, and general commercial law issues.
• Advise clients on business structures, regulatory requirements, and operational legal risks.
• Attend client meetings, negotiations, and strategy sessions on behalf of the firm.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through responsive, solution-oriented legal support.
• Deliver practical legal opinions that balance commercial objectives with regulatory compliance.

Legal Research & Regulatory Compliance:

• Conduct in-depth legal research on commercial, corporate, labour, intellectual property, and regulatory matters.
• Monitor changes in legislation, regulations, and industry developments affecting clients' businesses.
• Prepare legal opinions, compliance reports, memoranda, and advisory notes.
• Develop articles and thought leadership content on emerging commercial law issues.

Corporate Documentation & Transactions:

• Prepare incorporation documents, board resolutions, shareholder resolutions, corporate governance documentation, and statutory filings.
• Support business registration, licensing, regulatory approvals, and post-incorporation compliance requirements.
• Coordinate transaction closing documentation and maintain accurate legal records.
• Review corporate governance policies and internal compliance frameworks.

Administrative & Operational Support:

• Maintain accurate records of client instructions, executed agreements, and transaction documentation.
• Provide regular progress updates to Partners and Senior Associates on assigned matters.
• Support billing and matter management processes.
• Supervise interns, paralegals, and junior associates where required.

What We're Looking For:

• We're looking for someone who is commercially aware, analytical, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven, with strong technical legal expertise and the ability to manage multiple commercial transactions effectively.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and BL qualification.
• 4-6 years post-call experience in Commercial and Corporate Law.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of Nigerian corporate, commercial, and regulatory laws.
• Experience conducting legal due diligence and supporting mergers, acquisitions, investments, and corporate transactions.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions while meeting deadlines.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, commercial awareness, and attention to detail.

Why This Role Is Exciting:

• Opportunity to work with a reputable and growing law firm.
• Exposure to high-value corporate and commercial transactions across multiple industries.
• Opportunity to advise leading businesses on strategic legal matters.
• Hands-on involvement in sophisticated commercial deals and corporate advisory work.
• Opportunity to grow within a high-performing and collaborative legal team.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

This role is ideal for:

• A Commercial Lawyer looking to deepen expertise in corporate transactions and advisory services.
• A legal professional who enjoys solving complex business and commercial challenges.
• Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, client-focused legal environment.
• A proactive individual with strong commercial awareness, negotiation skills, and attention to detail.