Profile

Michael Uche Ukponu obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Honours from Madonna University, Nigeria in 2012 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013. Since then, he has been in active legal practice in diverse areas of law. It was on the strength of his passion for sustainable development in the energy, natural resources and the environment sectors that he was granted the Australia Awards Scholarship by the Australian Government to undertake studies in Energy and Resources Law (LL.M) at The University of Melbourne, an internationally top-ranking university. He is a member of notable international professional associations, namely the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), UK, the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ). Currently, he specializes in energy and environmental law in Nigeria and has written legal articles and contributory chapters on topics related to these areas of law.

Michael is currently a Senior Associate at The Law Partners, a law firm of transactions attorneys with offices in Abuja and Kano. Based in Nigeria yet providing legal services to an array of both local and international clientele, it is a full services law firm that consists of competent personnel who possess the requisite know-how and an excellent relationship with diverse public and private institutions, ensuring that it delivers legal services that are of the highest standard. The firm's practice areas are Litigation; Corporate and Commercial Law; Infrastructure and Construction Law; Information and Communications Technology Law; Intellectual Property Law; Energy Law; and Alternative Disputes Resolution.

Michael works in the firm's practice areas of Corporate and Commercial Law; Oil and Gas Law; and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has advised in some energy-related transactions including access to financing for the development of a pilot biogas plant and the organization of pre-qualification tests for oil companies applying for oil prospecting licenses. Michael continues to engage in activities aimed at improving his academic and professional competence. He has undertaken various courses related to energy, natural resources and environmental law at different institutions such as IFP School, Paris; Sciences Po, Paris; the University of Geneva and the University of Cape Town.

His pastimes include playing badminton, soccer video games, and discussing local and international political issues.