Johannesburg – May 17, 2019: In line with its commitment to train the next-generation of African lawyers, Centurion organized this month in Sandton a one-week training for lawyers from the firm and its network of partners.
The training, which gathered a crowd of lawyers and advisors from 10 different nationalities, focused on both technical workshops and sessions providing general knowledge on the African oil & gas industry.
“As an African firm, we have always been committed to building domestic capacity across jurisdictions and providing African lawyers with the skills and tools they need to grow as professionals,” explained Glenda Irvine-Smith, Director of Business Development & International Relations at Centurion. “Our training gathered top experts and former managing partners from Africa’s best law firms who were able to give leading insights into managing transactions or conducting complex legal due diligences. Such a program is what allows Centurion lawyers to remain the best at what they do and keep ahead of market developments.”
Key highlights of the program notably included modules on entrepreneurship as a lawyer, on regionalizing its legal practice, being an effective lawyer and manager, effective time management, problem-solving processes, transaction management and due diligence investigations. The training was also offered at no cost to Centurion’s partner law firms and best-friend firms across Africa.
“Working together and receiving bespoke training tailored to African lawyers is how we will empower the legal profession on the continent,” declared Elison Karuhanga, Partner at Kampala Associated Advocates. “KAA has been a long-term partner of Centurion and we feel privileged to have been part of this week’s enriching training. We were very much impressed by Centurion’s hospitality and left South Africa much better as lawyers and practitioners.”
Providing insights into its key energy practice, Senior Associate and Head of Oil & Gas at Centurion Zion Adeoye delivered an introductory presentation on key trends and topics in the oil & gas sector, while DMWA Resources Director Sebastian Wagner presented the current trading dynamics in the African energy industry.
“It is so important to empower young lawyers by helping them develop strong technical skills early on in their career,” said Jean Milner, co-founder of GreenLight, a corporate legal training consultancy and a leading transaction manager who served as Partner in Webber Wentzel’s corporate practice group. “What we have seen this week is a dynamic team of young African lawyers committed to grow as professionals and be part of the continent’s development and future.”