Profile

Steve Austin Nwabueze

Founding Partner · Head of Dispute Resolution

Commercial LitigationBanking & InsolvencyAppellate AdvocacyIP Enforcement

Over 16 years of post-call litigation and advisory experience spanning commercial litigation, banking and insolvency, maritime law, intellectual property, sports and entertainment, election petitions, and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. Has argued matters before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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Qualifications & experience

Credentials, call, and court experience.

Qualification

LL.B (Hons), University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 2008

Call to the Bar

Called to the Nigerian Bar — 2009

Post-call experience

16+ years of litigation and advisory practice

Appellate advocacy

Argued matters before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Credentials: LL.B (Hons), University of Nigeria, Nsukka · BL, Nigerian Law School (2009)
Bar admission: Called to the Nigerian Bar, 2009

Representative mandate

A matter that can properly be disclosed.

Led the defence for MTN Nigeria in a decade-long patent infringement action over the “Xtra Time” service — dismissed in the client’s favour on 29 April 2026.

Principal practice areas

The core desks behind Steve’s practice.

Seven principal disciplines in which the firm is most frequently briefed — each with its own dedicated practice page setting out scope, context and approach.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Our dispute-resolution practice is the spine of the firm. We appear before the Federal High Court, State High Courts, the National Industrial Court, Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Nigeria on commercial, banking, intellectual property, maritime, employment and regulatory matters.

Arbitration

We act in domestic and international arbitration — from clause design and seat selection to institutional and ad hoc advocacy and the full enforcement cycle. Partners are also available to sit as arbitrator.

Corporate & Commercial

Our corporate and commercial advisory supports Nigerian and international clients on the transactional and contractual side of their matters, working alongside the firm’s dispute-resolution practice so that agreements are built to hold up if a claim is ever brought.

Maritime & Admiralty

We represent shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, marine insurers and P&I Clubs before the Federal High Court, which exercises exclusive admiralty jurisdiction in Nigeria.

Banking & Finance Litigation

We act for banks, microfinance institutions and corporate borrowers on contentious banking and finance matters — from debt recovery and security enforcement to challenges against the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Oil & Gas / Energy

We advise upstream and midstream energy clients on contentious and regulatory matters, including joint operating agreement and production sharing contract disputes and NUPRC enforcement defence.

Intellectual Property

We protect, license and enforce trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret rights — handling registry prosecution and contentious relief, including Anton Piller search-and-seizure applications.

Additional practice areas

Further disciplines the firm advises on.

Beyond the principal desks, the firm is regularly instructed across six further areas — from product liability and employment to sports, hospitality and real estate.

Product Liability & Compliance

We advise manufacturing, FMCG, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and allied clients on product safety, consumer protection and regulatory compliance — and defend enforcement and liability claims.

Employment & Labour

We advise on the full employment lifecycle and represent clients before the National Industrial Court, including expatriate compliance and collective bargaining matters.

Regulatory & Compliance

We advise on licensing, ongoing compliance and enforcement defence across financial services, healthcare, telecoms and energy — acting as the regulator interface on behalf of clients.

Sports Law

We advise clubs, athletes, agents and federations on the commercial, regulatory and disciplinary matters that define modern Nigerian and international sport.

Hospitality Law

We advise hospitality operators on the commercial, licensing and dispute matters that shape hotels, resorts and tourism businesses in Nigeria.

Real Estate

We act for developers, investors, landlords and tenants across the real estate lifecycle — from acquisition through disposal, plus recovery of premises and title disputes.

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