Gateley’s international arbitration team
continues to grow across the EMEA following the appointment of a Nigeria-based
consultant.
Perenami Momodu, formerly a partner at a
leading West African law firm, joins Gateley to lead its African practice and
support the continued expansion of its multi-jurisdictional strategic
international disputes services, particularly across oil and gas,
infrastructure, technology, fintech, construction, investments, and renewable
energy.
The fourth addition to the international
arbitration team, Perenami will work closely with London-based partners Michael
Lightfoot and Kieran John McCarthy, who joined Gateley as co-heads of
international arbitration last September, as well as legal director Tonderai
Nyandoro, who is based in Dubai.
“I am very
pleased to welcome Perenami, who brings more than a decade of experience in
high-value, complex international arbitration and multi-national disputes,”
said Richard Healey, Gateley’s head of Business Services. “Her appointment is
the next stage in our commitment to enhance our existing capabilities within
international arbitration and disputes, particularly in fast-growing economies,
such as those in Africa and the Middle East.”
Partner and
co-head of international arbitration Michael Lightfoot added: “Perenami’s complementary skills and
expertise will allow our team to further achieve its ambition of becoming a
leading player in international arbitration. She brings with her many years of
experience of high-profile disputes work in Nigeria and across Africa. Kieran
and I are looking forward to working with her and expanding our capabilities to
offer first-class legal services across Africa, MENA, as well as more widely.
She is a great asset to our growing team.”
Prior to joining Gateley, Perenami was a
partner in a West African law firm’s dispute resolution and international
arbitration practice groups. During this time, she led the team handling the
portfolio of disputes arising from a privatisation and bid process of a major
Nigerian enterprise, and successfully represented an exploration and production
company in an arbitration worth $40m.
She has also provided advisory services to
financial institutions, corporate organisations, and multinational companies on
a range of matters, including cross-border insolvency, frameworks for foreign
direct investments in Nigeria, and labour and employment
In 2019, she received the Special Recognition
Award from Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice-President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, for her involvement in Nigeria’s proposed insolvency reforms. Perenami
is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar
Association, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and is ranked as
‘Recommended’ in the Nigeria – Commercial Litigation and Arbitration categories
in Who’s Who Legal.
“I’m pleased
to have this opportunity to build Gateley’s international arbitration practice
in Africa,” Perenami said. “This will help to support the increasing
number of business links and investments being made between the UK and African
countries such as Nigeria and Ghana and ensure clients across all jurisdictions
are able to access new markets and build their networks to mutual benefit.
“Based
in Nigeria, I will be supporting Gateley to implement its Africa strategy,
while also working closely with Kieran, Michael, and Tonderai to broaden my
international arbitration expertise in the UK and the Middle East.”