Harrison Ibenegbu
Wyoming,MI
Summary
Highly motivated contract specialist with over five years of cognate legal experience with the desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills to represent the firm’s strategic goals.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Compliance Manager
ARSaintard LLC
Grand Rapids, MI
08.2023 - 02.2024
- I developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and best practices.
- I maintained detailed records of all compliance-related activities.
- I assisted with the development of research on materials regarding compliance requirements.
- I ensured effective communication of changes in regulations or policies in the organization.
- I executed successful compliance monitoring and risk assessment in the business.
- I conducted an internal assessment to identify areas of non-compliance and recommended corrective actions.
- I researched industry trends and developments in order to remain up-to-date on best practices in the business.
- I developed risk assessment frameworks to evaluate the potential impact of new initiatives or processes.
Legal Intern
AmudiLaw LLC
Jamaica, NY
01.2023 - 01.2024
- I researched case laws and conducted legal research using various resources.
- I attended series of court proceedings to observe attorneys in action.
- I reviewed several legal documents and provided summaries of their contents.
- I analyzed cases to identify applicable statutes and regulations.
- I organized files, documents, notes, and other materials relevant to a case or transaction.
- I maintained updated records of pending cases or transactions.
- I worked independently to meet set deadlines and achieve objectives for special projects I was assigned to work on.
- I performed administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and managing calendars.
- I reviewed contracts for accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Founding Partner
Insignes Attorneys
01.2019 - 02.2023
- I provided leadership and guidance to staff members on policy implementation of the firm.
- I facilitated the development of a business plan for launch of the firm.
- I conducted thorough research into industry trends and competitive landscape of the emerging virtual legal market in Nigeria.
- I engaged in long-term planning initiatives with my partners to ensure successful growth of the organization especially as the firm is famed to be the first full-serviced virtual law firm in Africa.
- Together with the founding partners we created a marketing campaigns to promote our novel services by launching Facebook ads, Instagram and Twitter (X).
- I was in charge of client liaison and thus maintained relationship with existing clients while seeking out new opportunities and this led to adding at least three new clients per month.
- I coordinated financial activities of the firm with the founding managing partner such as budgeting, forecasting and reporting to my other partners.
- Reviewed legal documents related to corporate governance matters for some of our clients who need such services which has led us to provide our services as company secretaries to some of our clients that need it.
- As the head of SMEs group of the firm, I participated in small business development workshops to increase the competence of our development and exposure.
- Helped Increase the young firm’s company revenue from $0 to N50,000.00 within first year. Brought in more than N12,000,000.00 in new business each quarter.
- I was in charge of team that led the recovery of a total sum of N89,000,000.00 through filing of recovery actions at the Small Claims Court.
- I registered businesses with the regulatory authorities while making sure that taxes and annual returns were filed with the regulators in line with the Nigerian Laws.
- I managed over 55 clients with my partners especially in corporate compliance with our major clientele in the entertainment industry where we helped over 30 artists and creatives in contract negotiation, formation, review, and execution.
- I managed over 35 creatives together with my other partners in movie production and post-production. “Fiery Films” recently won an award in one of the movies (Mami-Wata) we advised its production.
- I engaged with my partners in long-term planning initiatives to ensure successful growth of the organization and that lead to the expansion of our clientele and transition of leadership of the firm right until I left the organization.
Legal Advisor
Southbridge & WESS PDC Ltd
01.2016 - 12.2021
- I conducted legal research and analysis to draft legal opinions, studies, and reports concerning the operation of the firm.
- As the legal adviser and compliance specialist of the organisation, I provided guidance to the firm and the clients on legal matters related to contracts, litigation, and regulations.
- I analyzed complex facts within the context of applicable laws and regulations and explain it to the organization for proper understanding and compliance.
- I reviewed countless numbers of documents for accuracy and completeness prior to execution.
- I Interpreted legal instruments, agreements, memoranda of understanding and internal policies for the board and acted as secretary whenever the company secretary is not available.
- As the compliance strategist, I liaised with opposing parties to remedy disputes by avoiding litigation and exploring ADR at the Lagos Multi-door Court House saving the company money and valuable time.
- I monitored and complied with changes in legislation that may affect our relationship with our client and the company’s obligations.
- I participated in meetings with the board regarding potential risks or liabilities and at one instance, I saved the company over $150,000.00.
- I attended hearings before administrative agencies or courts as necessary and interfaced with government agencies on behalf of the company.
- I organised mini-training sessions to staff members on topics such as employment law and data privacy and there has was never a data breach during my time with the company.
- I developed detailed litigation strategies in 3 cases that the company got involved in with the company’s external solicitors and we were victorious in two cases and the other one ended in settlement which I negotiated and drafted the settlement agreement.
Senior Associate
Chuks Nwana LLP
01.2018 - 12.2018
- I directly and indirectly, engaged positively with each client, providing professional services and tailored legal advice
- I managed a team of junior lawyers assigned under me including assigning tasks, monitoring their progress and quality of their work, and ensuring deadlines were met.
- I delivered a high level of service to clients to both maintain and extend relationships for future business opportunities and this led to signing multiple retainer with many companies including a multinational firm like Tata Africa Services Ltd.
- Acted with minimal direction in self-directed capacities to resolve issues and implement strategies.
- Interfaced with an average of four clients per day.
- I reviewed files, recordings, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests from the clients.
- I conducted legal research and synergized with colleagues which led to unprecedented success and won many cases including a judgment for a client to the tune of $250,000.00.
- I worked with minor supervision in complex cases and was instrumental in closing about 15% of commercial and investment handled in the firm.
- I worked closely with the firm to develop strategies to resolve cases in the clients' best interest which led to the resolution of about 45 commercial disputes at the Lagos State (Nigeria) Multi-Door Court House through Mediation.
- I prepared and represented clients’ in multiple States in Nigeria and argued about 47 cases in both lower and higher Courts.
- Prepared and reviewed 73 contracts and agreements for small and medium scale businesses including several contracts multinational organizations like TATA Africa Services Ltd.
Education
Master of Science - Computer And Information Systems Security
University of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY01-2024
Master of Laws - Corporate Law, Commercial Law, And Trade Law
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL12-2022
Barrister-at-Law - Procedural Law
Nigerian Law School
Lagos, Nigeria 11-2015
Bachelor of Laws - Law
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka, Nigeria10-2014
Diploma in Law - Law (Pre-Law)
Nnamzi Azikiwe University
Awka, Nigeria09-2010
Skills
- Regulatory Documentation
- Information Gathering
- Document Reviews
- Risk Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance Oversight
- Risk Reviews
- Document Analysis
- Compliance Monitoring
- Risk Assessments
- Corporate Governance
- Analytical Thinking
- Regulatory Standards
- Information Security
- Documentation Review
- Legal Research
Research Experience
- An Unpublished LL.B dissertation “A Critique of the Nigerian Cabotage Act”, 2014- submitted to the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Publications
- Ibenegbu, Harrison.” The Small Claims Court”: A different dynamic to recovery of small, liquidated money demands and debt: The need for MSMES to embrace this process”, http://Insignes.ng, 2020
- Ibenegbu, Harrison. “Reasons why you should register your Small Business as an Entrepreneur”, http://Insignes.ng, 2020.
- Ibenegbu, Harrison. “Innovations of the Newly Signed Companies and Allied Matters Act”, http://Insignes.ng, 2020.
Professional trainings
- Brief-Writing Masterclass at Writehouse.org, 2018.
- Bar and Bench Symposium on Electronic Evidence at Writehouse.org, 2018.
- Anatomy of the New Lagos Civil Procedure Rule: Presentation of Resource Faculty at Writehouse.org, 2019.
Timeline
Compliance Manager
ARSaintard LLC
08.2023 - 02.2024
Legal Intern
AmudiLaw LLC
01.2023 - 01.2024
Founding Partner
Insignes Attorneys
01.2019 - 02.2023
Senior Associate
Chuks Nwana LLP
01.2018 - 12.2018
Legal Advisor
Southbridge & WESS PDC Ltd
01.2016 - 12.2021
Master of Science - Computer And Information Systems Security
University of The Cumberlands
Master of Laws - Corporate Law, Commercial Law, And Trade Law
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Barrister-at-Law - Procedural Law
Nigerian Law School
Bachelor of Laws - Law
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Diploma in Law - Law (Pre-Law)
Nnamzi Azikiwe University