The people
behind the practice.

Chukwudi Chimezie is a commercially astute legal practitioner with a core focus on Intellectual Property, Entertainment Law, Technology, and Dispute Resolution within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving creative economy.

He has cultivated a robust practice centred on the protection, commercialization, and strategic exploitation of intellectual property, regularly advising clients across FMCG, film, music, technology startups, and foreign investors. He leads the negotiation and structuring of sophisticated, rights-driven transactions within the creative industries, bringing a high level of commercial insight and precision to each engagement.

Prior to his current role, he gained valuable experience at several leading law firms, where he developed a strong foundation in intellectual property, dispute resolution, and corporate/commercial law. This background has shaped his practical, solutions-oriented approach and his ability to navigate complex, multi-party transactions with clarity, precision, and commercial awareness.

Chukwudi is also highly regarded for his dispute resolution capabilities, advising on contentious intellectual property and commercial matters. He adopts a strategic and commercially grounded approach to resolving disputes, combining technical expertise with a nuanced understanding of industry dynamics to deliver effective and commercially viable outcomes.

He has consistently contributed to thought leadership within the sector through a number of publications addressing key legal and commercial developments in Africa’s creative economy. He is also a public speaker and has spoken at several platforms, including the African Film Financing Festival. In 2025, he was awarded Entertainment Lawyer of the Year, reflecting his growing reputation and impact within the industry.

He continues to play a key role in supporting and shaping the growth of Africa’s creative industries through innovative and forward-thinking legal counsel.

Chiemeka leads Ducrest Partners’ Intellectual Property, Entertainment and Technology practice. He provides legal support in the Firm’s Dispute Resolution Department covering Intellectual Property, Brand Protection, Anti-Counterfeiting, and other Commercial Disputes. He was ranked in the 2025 IAM Strategy 300 Long List of the World’s Leading IP Strategists, a global ranking celebrating individuals who are shaping the future of IP practice.

He served as a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee in the International Trademarks Association (INTA), a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trade marks and complementary intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation, and committed to building a better society through brands. His skills were put towards advising on Emerging Issues in ADR.

His experience includes, but is not limited to, advising clients such as the Coca-Cola Company, Promasidor Group, Honda Motors Co. Limited, Sanofi SA, Castrol Limited, Louis Vuitton Malletier, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Geberit AG, Kerakoll S.p.A and Caterpillar Inc.

Chiemeka understands and has a refined knowledge of the commercial laws in Nigeria, where his unique and practical approach has resulted in nothing less than quality and exceptional services towards the protection of the Client’s Rights in Nigeria.

He is currently an Executive Committee member of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), where, through his exposure to the evolving digital assets and blockchain ecosystem, he has developed a nuanced understanding of the commercial, regulatory, technological and operational realities confronting businesses and market participants in the sector. His engagement with industry stakeholders, regulators, policymakers, technology companies, virtual asset service providers and other ecosystem participants has enabled him to appreciate the practical challenges that businesses face beyond the black letter of the law.

Through this combination of legal expertise and direct industry engagement, he is particularly well positioned to advise clients operating at the intersection of technology, digital assets, financial services, intellectual property and emerging business models, providing clients with counsel that understands not only what the law requires, but also how those requirements affect the way their businesses are built, operated and scaled.

Rufina Okafor is a Nigerian-qualified legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance and Financial Services. With a commercially driven, detail-oriented approach, she is adept at aligning legal frameworks with business objectives to foster sustainable organisational growth.

She has provided strategic legal advisory to diverse institutions across various sectors such as insurance, asset management, and international financial services. Her professional footprint includes work with established institutions and emerging players alike, notably providing counsel to Coronation Insurance Plc, Capitalfield Investment Group Limited, Lifecard International Investment Limited, Nathaniel’s Insurance Brokers Limited and Velocity Transfers UK Ltd.

Rufina’s experience extends to cross-border financial operations through her work with Velocity Transfers UK Limited. In this capacity, she ensured rigorous adherence to United Kingdom regulatory requirements, maintaining the company’s compliance with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This experience underscores her ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional complexities and manage high-level regulatory expectations with precision and confidence.

Currently, Rufina is elevating her professional expertise as a scholar under the prestigious Ireland Fellows Programme, where she is pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.).

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a Second Class Upper division (4.2 GPA) from the University of Nigeria, Faculty of Law, and subsequently completed her professional training at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, qualifying as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Harriet maintains a robust practice advising corporate clients, commercial entities, and individuals on complex real estate acquisitions, development compliance, construction agreements, and corporate governance frameworks.

She provides strategic legal representation in commercial litigation, property disputes, and regulatory compliance, combining meticulous drafting capabilities with robust advocacy in dispute resolution.

Her professional experience includes navigating intricate commercial negotiations, reviewing multi-million-naira transactions, and coordinating administrative and compliance procedures across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Harriet possesses a refined knowledge of Nigerian corporate and property laws, where her analytical and practical approach ensures the highest standards of legal service delivery and client asset protection.