Templars emerged the biggest winners at the 2015 ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, carting away an unprecedented total of 4 trophies, including the highly coveted Law Firm of the Year award.

In a ceremony held on the 18th of September, 2015 at the MUSON Centre Lagos, Templars was also awarded the Corporate Restructuring Team of the Year, Capital Markets Team of the Year and Project Finance Team of the Year to crown a glorious night for the Firm.

Speaking about the awards, Olumide Akpata, Templars Corporate & Commercial Partner said, “Our law firm is 20 years and it’s not just to feed ourselves, but we are trying to build a law firm that will put Nigeria on the map in terms of the provision of legal services; a law firm that will rank with others around the world to show that out of Nigeria can come a law firm that can provide quality legal services. “It is gratifying that some other people are recognising that. We are delighted to be among the group that can stand our own anywhere in the world. A team of impartial judges had looked at it and say that we merit the law firm of the year award, it is makes us to work harder so we can win it again next year.”

ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards is hosted by ESQ Legal Practice magazine to recognise, honour and celebrate outstanding law firms and legal professionals in Nigeria. The Award reflects both pre-eminence in key transactions, practice areas, and achievements including notable work, strategic growth, excellence and innovation in client service, advancement in technology and contribution to the legal profession at large. The award is based on the legal deals or unique contribution to legal business in Nigeria with an emphasis on novel deals/transactions across different sectors and the law firms who were involved in structuring the deals.

This year’s nominations consisted of submissions from 72 firms over 11 deal categories, under the scrutiny of a reputable judging panel who used deciding criteria such as: the quantum of the deal, the legal expertise expended in the course of the transaction, innovation, measurable outcomes and precedents set.

Our awards come after another successful year for the Firm advising ground-breaking and note-worthy transactions across Nigerian and international markets.

View some of the pictures from the event below: