Business Awards 2020

54 MEA MARKETS / 2020MEA Business Awards , Best Full-Service Energy & Natural Resource Law Firm - Africa Clarence Abogados & Asociados Clarence Abogados &Asociados is a young, creative, Pan-African oriented lawfirmthat brings togethermarket-leading expertise and intelligent business acumen. Specialists inEnergy and Natural Resources, Clarence is a leading firminmanaging even themost complex legalmatters, a trait which is valuednowmore than ever in this changeable socio-political climate.We take a closer look at the firmand the factors behind its success. Established in 2017, Clarence Abogados & Asociados is a leading full-service, Pan-African oriented law firm in Equatorial Guinea that advises preeminent investors in various sectors of the country’s economy. Specialists in Energy and Natural Resources, Joint Ventures, Corporate, Commercial, Employment and Immigration law, Clarence marries legal expertise with business mentality to create effective outcomes for its clients. The lucrative combination of legal and business insights was crafted by Founder and Managing Director of Clarence, Abraham Abia, who is widely regarded as one of the leading Oil and Gas lawyers of Equatorial Guinea. An astute businessman, Abraham established Clarence with a vision to give clients the freedom to operate across their respective fields and focus on growth and revenue, without encountering operational legal and regulatory risks. Clarence works closely with its clients to promote their understanding of regulatory requirements so as to improve their internal procedures, offering legal advice that is enhanced by experience. Clarence’s clientele consists of many of the largest companies in the hydrocarbon, transportation, logistics and construction sectors. Benefiting from the firm’s profound understanding of local laws, responsiveness and efficiency, and continual pursuit of excellence, clients have also relied on the stability of the firm in a period of uncertainty and crippling effects on the world’s economies. Whilst most legal firms have seen fairly steady progress despite adversity, many niche law firms specialising in immigration, construction and real estate have suffered. Moreover, in March 2019 the Economic Community of Central African States’ Foreign Exchange Regulation imposed new rules on offshore foreign currency accounts, declaration of transactions, domiciliation of import or export of goods and services, repatriation of proceeds, and more. This FX Regulation has been largely opposed by investors in the extractive sector, who have been actively pushing for an exemption. To date, two moratoriums have been granted, with the last one expiring at the end of 2021 to allow the Central Bank and the region’s main investors to reach a viable consensus to not affect the market’s attractiveness to investors. Clarence has been contacted by companies for a mapping of the regulation and is expecting a reduction in FDI and, consequently, in clients for the firm in 2021, should the regulation be implemented in its current form. However, many of Clarence’s clients have come to the firm more in need of its services than ever, seeking its insights acquired through progressive integration of technology into its services. Clients also choose Clarence for its combination of digitised platforms with Dec20565 customer-focused consultants which together creates impartial, informed, and invaluable advice for clients. Clarence’s lawyers are each leaders in their respective fields of practice, and are constantly learning and developing through meetings with regulators, participation at events, involvement with significant transactions, and researching and publishing on legal matters that are relevant to themselves, their colleagues and their clients. Driven by core values of integrity, teamwork and excellence, all of Clarence’s lawyers and non-legal staff are committed to responsiveness, effective workflows, optimising resources, continual training and constant innovation, in their mission to deliver the highest standards in legal services. Accordingly, the young, culturally dynamic team is always looking to grow, attracting commercially astute and ambitious lawyers from across the region to enhance is culture. Clarence maintains an open-door policy that encourages collaboration and shared insights on every legal matter or transaction so that together, the firm can learn and flourish as a stronger team. Just as capable of working independently as they are in a team, each valued member of the Clarence team shares the same meticulous attention for detail and appreciation of the bigger picture for the success of its clients and Clarence itself. As such, Clarence is constantly growing, with offices already in Malabo, Douala, and Port-Gentil, and more set to open across Africa. The firm’s ambition for further geographical expansion both in the short- term and long-term is a crucial element of Clarence’s plans to establish itself as one of the leading law firms of Equatorial Guinea and the African continent. With ambitions set high and a devoted team of lawyers and non-legal staff continually striving for excellence, there is no doubt we can expect to see Clarence realise its visions for the future soon. Company: Clarence Abogados & Asociados Contact: Abraham Abia Website: www.clarenceabogados.com