Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is pleased to announce the opening of an affiliated office in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The office, which is operating under the name Orrick RCI, will provide on the ground support for the firm’s market-leading practice assisting African and international clients in connection with investments in Western and Central Africa.
“Orrick has very longstanding and deep ties to Central and Western Africa. We see our presence as a small part of the overall momentum in Africa today,” said Mitch Zuklie, Chairman and CEO of Orrick. “We are grateful for the support of the Abidjan authorities and are deeply committed to working with the local community at this very important time in Abidjan’s development.”
Pascal Agboyibor, head of Orrick’s Africa Practice, added, “We are absolutely delighted to participate in the Abidjan community and to collaborate with our colleagues there. This is a critical time for the people of Africa – they face many challenges but also have an unmatched spirit. We are truly honored to join the community.” Earlier this month, Mr. Agboyibor was named to Financial Times’ list of the “10 Most Innovative Lawyers in Europe,” in recognition of his ongoing representation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in connection with the development of Grand Inga, which will be the world’s largest hydroelectric project.
Orrick RCI will be staffed full time by senior, locally-qualified legal counsel Karamoko Fadiga and Sydney Domoraud-Operi. They will work closely with members of the firm’s 50-lawyer Africa team based in Paris, London, New York, Washington, DC, Silicon Valley and China. The firm has recently added two project finance partners to the team: Cameroon native Jean-Jacques Essombè, who joined from Heenan Blaikie in Paris this month, and Colin Graham who joined from Hogan Lovells in London in September.
Source: www.orrick.com
