Education
University of Lagos, LL.B.
Nigerian Law School, B.L.
Professional Associations
Member, Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association
Member, Nigerian Data Privacy Lawyers Association of Nigeria
Member, Compliance Institute of Nigeria
Member, International Bar Association
Member, International Fraud Group
Fopefoluwais the Lead Compliance advisor at Smith and Partners LP.
He serves as Head of the Firm’s Banking, Finance, Tax, Fin-Tech and Technology Law Practice Group, and the Trust, Asset, Wealth and Property Management and Protection Practice Group
He is also Co-Chair of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group and the Firm’s Energy and Natural Resources Practice.
Fopefoluwahas advised and represented clients across multiple sectors, including Finance, Technology, Real Estate, Energy, Shipping and Maritime, Employment, and Corporate Governance.
His practice encompasses corporate and commercial transactions, project and infrastructure finance, asset management, debt recovery, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and labour and employment law.
Known for his pragmatic and client-focused approach, Fope delivers legal solutions that blend technical precision with commercial awareness.
Fopefoluwahas played a key role in major transactions and disputes, including being part of the legal team that facilitated the transfer of over 90 properties across all 36 states of the federation from NATCOM Development and Investments Ltd to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), one of the largest asset transfers in the country’s history.
He also represented a group of employees of Patricia Technologies Ltd in a labour dispute, securing compensation packages after they were unlawfully laid off without notice or benefits.
Fopefoluwahas acted as advisor in complex commercial arbitration proceedings involving high-value contractual claims, advised multinational corporations on compliance with Nigerian regulatory frameworks, and represented financial institutions in debt restructuring and recovery mandates.
He has also handled sensitive employment matters involving wrongful termination and workplace discrimination, providing both litigation and alternative dispute resolution strategies to safeguard employee rights.
Fopefoluwa'sexperience also spans cross-border advisory. He has supported international clients entering the Nigerian market, particularly in the fintech and technology sectors, ensuring compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations, the Nigerian Data Protection Act, and other sector-specific rules.
He has also provided legal support in electoral litigation, focusing on the interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions, as well as governance disputes within political entities.
Beyond practiceFope is a skilled legal researcher and writer, with published works in corporate, commercial, and regulatory law. He contributes regularly to thought leadership discussions on Nigeria’s evolving commercial landscape, labour rights, and financial regulation. His dual strength in litigation and transactional work positions him as a versatile advocate and trusted advisor to clients across industries.