Lukman A. Opawoye

Lukman A. Opawole manages the full scope of the firm’s operations. He provides strategic direction in high-stakes litigation and advisory matters, with a specialized focus on leading complex litigation cases in commercial, land, and tax law; overseeing sophisticated corporate transactions and solicitor’s practice; and serving as a key advisor on property law and arbitration proceedings.

He is an exceptional counsel with robust litigation skills and a proven track record of managing complex legal matters and leading successful legal teams. His career has been marked by a progression from hands-on litigation to leadership roles in top-tier firms, culminating in his current position as a co-Founder and Partner at Hendon Partners, where he manages a broad practice with a sharp focus on commercial law, tax litigation, and real property disputes.

For nearly a decade, Lukman managed the chambers of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a role that honed his expertise in sophisticated litigation and corporate practice. He led the firm’s efforts in commercial law, land law, and tax litigation while supervising solicitors’ work, ensuring corporate compliance, and providing high-level consultancy to a diverse clientele.

Lukman is renowned for his deep analytical prowess, cultivated through years of rigorous legal research and a unique background in legal academia. He provides comprehensive solutions to clients, combining robust courtroom advocacy with sophisticated transactional and advisory expertise. He served as Principal Counsel at L.A. Opawoye Law Firm, a reputable legal practitioner, tax consultant, arbitrator, and property consultant firm based in Lagos.

Lukman shared his practical knowledge with the next generation of lawyers, lecturing on fundamental legal principles including contract law, commercial law, criminal law, tort, and equity & trust. This role underscores his ability to dissect and communicate complex legal issues with clarity.

Lukman was a Lead Counsel of the litigation team that provided defense and prosecution in the debt recovery, labour, insolvency, taxation, financial disputes, winding-up petitions, and complex contractual conflicts.

• Successfully led the litigation team in recovering over N2.2 billion in aggregate debt across multiple high-value commercial cases for major financial institutions.
• Secured a landmark judgment in a contentious account dispute and counterclaim valued at N266 million, achieving full recovery for a prominent banking client.
• Acted as lead counsel in a high-stakes winding-up proceeding against a Nigerian bank, navigating complex insolvency law before a distinguished judge.
• Prevailed in a high-profile, complex commercial dispute between two Nigerian corporate entities, setting a favorable precedent for contract interpretation in the sector.
• Represented a Nigerian government agency in a significant account dispute and counterclaim, successfully defending against substantial claims.
• Managed a sophisticated land law litigation involving a government ministry, resolving a protracted title dispute with a favorable outcome for the client.
• Consistently retained by top-tier financial institutions to handle their most sensitive and substantial debt recovery and account dispute matters, with a track record of favorable adjudications before respected members of the judiciary.
• Demonstrated expertise across a full spectrum of commercial litigation, including debt recovery, account disputes, winding-up petitions, and complex contractual conflicts.