OKECHUKWU COLLINS OSUJI
England
Summary
PERSONAL PROFILE Passionate and motivated with a strong work ethic, and excellent problem-solving skills. Impressive communication skills and very result-driven demonstrated by taking up numerous roles that have developed a keen understanding of how the world of finance, legal and business works. Previous employments enabled the development of a valuable result-oriented mentality, attaining results within a given time frame while acquiring management expertise and focusing on driving improvements in all aspects. Ability to engage effectively and always willing to expand the field of knowledge. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, CRM software, banking, and payroll software. I enjoy cultivating relationships and making people see their value, feel valued and add value in any way I can which helps me in my day-to-day life, work, and business.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Partner
Commercial Law Practice | O. C. Osuji & Co Int'l
, Nigeria
01.2015 - 09.2021
- Development of Client Relationships by high engagement to ensure renewals of retainers and contracts
- Relationship management with clients as the main point of contact between the client, third-party intermediaries, and the company, upselling services, portfolio growth, and client retention
- Regular travel to client meetings, developing client relationships both on teams, via zoom, and face to face, generating proposals and quotes, and invoices in line with company policy and CRM
- As an external Solicitor to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, a leading Commercial Bank in Nigeria led a team of external solicitors including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria as the Bank’s joint Counsel to consolidate a total of five cases with a cumulative claim of over Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Pounds (£3,5000,000.00) effectively negotiating and drafting amicable terms of settlement and recovering the sum of Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Pounds (£440,000.00) in Bad loans
- Advised a Canadian Client to successfully establish a real estate project valued at over two hundred and ninety-four thousand pounds (£294,000.00)
- Carrying out due diligence, compliance requirements preparing documentation
- Prepared, negotiated, and executed procurement and acquisition contracts
- Successfully assisted a Qatar-based client to acquire a large-scale cement distributorship
- Assisted to restructure and secure a facility with over three hundred and fifty thousand Pounds (£350,000.00) from a commercial Bank in Nigeria
- Prepared all the relevant documents, including their proof of credit and cash flows
- Liaised with the Bank officials by applying my excellent knowledge of the Banking business to get the best interest rates for the business
- Act as legal adviser and external Solicitor to a Commercial Bank, defending the Bank in numerous litigations, with a high success rate, resolving matters short of litigation, and negotiating favourable settlements on behalf of the Bank resulting in substantial benefits
- Handling garnishee proceedings, vetting contractual documents and advising their HR department on the latest labour law developments.
- Managed corporate and LLC-based legal transactions, coordinating document flow and logistical preparation for complex transactional closings.
- Oversaw firm's day-to-day administrative operations, provided guidance to support staff and enforced compliance with state, federal and local regulations across organization.
- Promoted new business and expanded firm's professional network through attendance and participation in community, government and industry events.
- Chaired partner meetings to drive discussion of matters important to firm operations, keeping discourse on-topic and moving at efficient pace.
Associate
General Law Practice | A.U. Ikukaiwe & Co
, Nigeria
05.2012 - 12.2014
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Handled relationships with clients as the first point of contact between the client and the firm
- Managed client portfolios worth over £6 million efficiently and ensured any queries are dealt with timely and accurately
- Provided contact for customer needs, representing the company at client meetings, conferences, and events
- Liaise closely with the Principal in Chambers and relevant other in-house Counsels to ensure clients’ requirements are established, prepared weekly cause lists, and dispatch invoices
- Provide reports daily to show the progress of ongoing queries and ensure targets performance is met monthly to hit servicing targets
- Ensure all portfolios are established and updated regularly to client’s preference
- Successfully executed a Cooperative society real estate land acquisition of valued over One hundred and Eighty Thousand Pounds (£180,000) for the National Housing Scheme, preparing all the conveyance deeds, registration of and facilitation of mortgage scheme
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Hitting SLA requirements on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
- Making 70% billed accounts targets monthly, experiencing phenomenal growth in successful cases, client portfolio, and income generation.
In-House Counsel/Branch Head Operation
FINBANK PLC
, Nigeria
01.2007 - 12.2012
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Proficient in the use of core banking software like Finacle and Flexcube for core banking solutions, and payroll software to achieve effective turnaround time for banking transactions
- Boosted the branch revenue by over 100% by effective application of Finacle payroll software for payment of all teachers in the State under State Government payroll contract for the Post Primary Education Board, while at the same time ensuring prompt payment of salaries, near zero complaints, and excellent customer service, further enhancing customer retention
- Assisted the Company Secretary to achieve a record oversubscription by 0ver 300%of the first-ever public offer of the Bank’s shares in 2009 by participating actively in prospectus preparation and organization of the Bank’s AGMs and strategy sessions of the Board of Directors
- Pushed for process change and commercial excellence
- Demonstrated high levels of teamwork by helping manage workflow demands & wider collaboration on projects with the operations team
- Worked with a team of in-house Counsels to accurately minimize exposure of the Bank to commercial or contractual risk,
- Managed and increased the branch portfolio by efficient cost-cutting practices and ensured compliance with Central Bank’s Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR) Policy and intercepted fraudulent clearing cheques by due diligence which saved the Branch Eighty Thousand Pounds (£80,000.000) in losses
- Prepared relevant documents for the acquisition of the shares of Arab Gambia Islamic Bank Ltd in 2008, including the shares acquisition agreement, shareholder’s agreement, and escrow agreement, as well as completed the post-incorporation process for the transaction
- Liaised with the product department to review SLAs on the development and delivery of new products, review contractual agreements from Branch operations, vetting letters of Credit, loan agreements settlement agreements, land registry searches, mortgage documentation, probate, administrative letters, and acquisition documentation for all real estate by the Bank for the purpose of Branch expansion.
- Completed filings and upheld strict compliance with regulatory agencies and supervisors.
- Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
- Maintained confidentiality of bank records and client information to prevent mishandling of data and potential breaches.
- Forecasted trends and recommended improvements based on financial risk analyses.
- Met deadlines by proactively managing individual and team tasks and streamlining processes.
- Developed and delivered polished sales presentations in order to highlight product and service quality.
- Created strategies to develop and expand existing customer sales, resulting in increase in annual sales.
- Assessed claims filed against or on behalf of company and worked with outside counsel and management to define and implement strategy.
- Demonstrated command of current and emerging legal developments and provided practical training, communication and advice to stakeholders.
- Crafted and distributed employee contracts, handled obtaining signatures and followed up with adherence to agreements.
- Analyzed and drafted reports on ethical and financial practices and reported findings and discrepancies directly to CLO.
- Apprised clients of potential risks and costs associated with each course of action.
- Conducted settlement negotiations and trial for property case with $[Amount] in counterclaims.
- Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
- Oversaw reduction-in-force procedures and checked both company and employee compliance with contracts, federal labor laws and state regulations.
In-House Counsel
National Youth Service Corp
03.2006 - 01.2007
- In-house Counsel/, 's Office, Asaba, Delta State
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Increased the Department’s revenue by the prosecution of revenue defaulters and active debt recovery by means of fiat issued by the Attorney General, and the reduction of leakages of income accruable to the State government when seconded to the office of the Bureau for special duties to oversee the Settlement of Small claims by Bureau
Education
LLM - International Commercial Law/ International Law
University of Kent
09.2021 - 08.2022
MSC - Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
National Open University of Nigeria
01.2017 - 01.2019
Law
Nigerian Law School
01.2004 - 01.2005
LLB, Bachelors - Law
University of Benin Nigeria
01.1998 - 01.2003
Skills
Verbal and written communications
Safety standards and protocols
Settlement Negotiation
Monthly Account / Bank Reconciliation
Expertise in Excel
Risk mitigation
Google Workspace
Timeline
LLM - International Commercial Law/ International Law
University of Kent
09.2021 - 08.2022
MSC - Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
National Open University of Nigeria
01.2017 - 01.2019
Partner
Commercial Law Practice | O. C. Osuji & Co Int'l
01.2015 - 09.2021
Associate
General Law Practice | A.U. Ikukaiwe & Co
05.2012 - 12.2014
In-House Counsel/Branch Head Operation
FINBANK PLC
01.2007 - 12.2012
In-House Counsel
National Youth Service Corp
03.2006 - 01.2007
Law
Nigerian Law School
01.2004 - 01.2005
LLB, Bachelors - Law
University of Benin Nigeria
01.1998 - 01.2003