Corporate and commercial transactions are the foundation of any thriving economy, and at Smith & Partners LP, we provide clients with the legal clarity and strategic insight needed to navigate this complex terrain. Our corporate and commercial law practice is built on deep industry knowledge, transactional precision, and practical business acumen, making us trusted advisors to startups, conglomerates, investors, and regulators alike.

Our team advises on business formation and structuring, corporate governance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder rights, corporate compliance, foreign direct investment, commercial contracts, franchising, and regulatory licensing. We also support clients through all phases of corporate growth—from structuring seed funding arrangements to managing complex cross-border acquisitions and post-merger integrations.

One of our partners was part of the corporate advisory team at a leading commercial law firm that structured a high-profile merger between two major oil servicing companies in Nigeria. This involved share restructuring, regulatory approvals, and stakeholder negotiations. Today, that merged entity operates as one of the country’s foremost indigenous service providers in the energy sector.

We are currently advising a technology startup undergoing a multi-million dollar Series A investment. Our role includes negotiating shareholder agreements, implementing employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and reviewing investment subscription documents to ensure compliance with Nigerian and international investment laws.

Our firm recently advised a Lagos-based FMCG company on revising all its commercial contracts, including distribution agreements, procurement arrangements, warehousing contracts, and IP licensing deals. This strategic legal overhaul positioned the company for greater operational efficiency and reduced exposure to supply chain liabilities.

One of our Partners was involved in the legal team that managed the corporate restructuring of a pan-African logistics company. This included jurisdictional mapping, asset segregation, tax planning, and the reconstitution of board and shareholder arrangements across four countries.

We also support foreign investors seeking to establish or expand operations in Nigeria. A recent engagement involved advising a European manufacturing group on corporate structuring, expatriate quotas, and compliance with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) framework, as well as drafting local content and transfer pricing policies.

Our commercial lawyers are routinely engaged to draft and negotiate a wide range of agreements—including service-level agreements (SLAs), joint venture agreements, sales and marketing contracts, and supply chain arrangements—tailored to our clients’ industries and commercial goals.

At Smith & Partners LP, our corporate and commercial practice is defined by precision, agility, and strategic foresight. Whether you're launching a new enterprise, negotiating complex commercial deals, or restructuring an existing business, our firm delivers seamless legal solutions that drive growth, protect assets, and unlock opportunities.