Legal Counsel - Litigation

• Responsible for managing more than 120 Contract, Commercial, Community, Employment, Tax, land compensation, oil spill, gas‑flare impact, and other sundry disputes, carrying significant financial exposure of circa USD 4 billion and substantial operational and reputational risks.

• Oversees cases filed, some of which pose substantial risks to business continuity, operations, and staff safety both in Nigeria and internationally.

• Accountable for articulating and supervising implementation of approved matter management strategies with External counsel firm, including ensuring regular updates to Legal leadership on the status of the matters, and prompt payments to external counsel firms and experts engaged in the matters.

• The role requires close engagement with cross‑functional leaders to secure necessary resources—such as witnesses and documentation—for effective case assessment and management, including recommending settlements where appropriate.

• Identifying critical legal issues and strategic business options based on complex and ambiguous data.

• Supports the Managing Counsel – Litigation in providing updates and analyses to senior leadership, including the MD/CEO and CFO, particularly on high-risk litigation matters.

• Drives Ethics and Compliance implementation in the assigned matters and generally supports the Ethics & Compliance Team in staff training as and when required.

• Providing strategic advice on litigation and arbitration procedure, Tactics and Dispute clauses.

• Collaborating with and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders with diverse cultural backgrounds, with ability to adapt style and communication technique for different stakeholders. • Drawing the attention of management to legal implications of significant development, rulings, decisions and case resolutions in a proactive, timely and business-oriented manner.

• Act as Legal representative in the Emergency Response Team as and when assigned to support the management of crisis as may arise in Company operations.

• Provide Renaissance Ethics and Compliance (E&C) trainings to staff, identify and advise on E&C issues that arise in Litigation management, espouse Renaissance’s Business Principles and be committed to continuous improvement.

• Adopting a learner mindset to maximise our performance, live our values, grow trust in Renaissance, inspire and engage.

• Drafting and reviewing pleadings and other court papers, collating evidential materials, preparing witnesses and attending court proceedings.

• Seeking challenge and setting stretch targets for own performance, and supporting and collaborating with other lawyers, oversee Paralegals and support staff.

• Encouraging and contributing to a team culture of strong performance, collaboration and an enterprise first mentality. 

A bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution

This position requires a very experienced lawyer (at least 10 years PQE) with minimum 8 years’ experience in hands-on management of high-level and complex litigation matters, including drafting pleadings (desirable) in a highly rated law firm in Nigeria

• Experience in different forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms disputes involving sovereign states or state-owned entities (desirable)

• Significant experience leading, project managing and/or acting as integrator in a team Problem-solving and decision-making skills with demonstrated sound judgment in sensitive areas and on difficult issues

• Strong team player, collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills

• Ability to think creatively and develop pragmatic solutions in difficult circumstances and under time constraints

• Ability to influence outcomes without direct authority; lead projects and partner effectively with other legal departments, playing a support role where needed to deliver networked performance.

• Effective oral and written communication across all organizational levels.

• Demonstrated resilience and ability to manage unpredictable outcomes in challenging legal environments

• Good external networks within the Disputes professionals and participation in professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association.

Special Challenges/Additional Comments

• Operating within a highly complex and litigious legal environment with increasingly challenging regulatory framework and uncertainty in the judicial processes

• Will be responsible for managing critical high-risk cases arising within responsible geographical boundaries including high profile environmental matters which may also require a significant travelling time

• Developing and managing the implementation of pragmatic solutions for litigation challenges, including case assessment, strategy development, client communication, management of external counsel, recommendation of provisions and disclosures, settlement recommendations and compliance with Renaissance’s policies and procedures relating to settlement authorities, and management of reputational issues.

• High level of interface with staff on litigation matters including providing strategic legal advice to avoid, minimize and manage litigation risks within the assigned portfolio  

Scam Alert:

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited does not request monetary payments (e.g. insurance policy, visa/work permit, HUET or HSSE training, special job offer, etc.) for employment. Individuals who are interested in opportunities within our organization will find open positions listed on the company websites Careers – Renaissance when available.

Renaissance Africa Business Operations Limited does not make use of employment forms; neither does the Company process CVs that have not been submitted through the proper websites: Careers – Renaissance

All successful applicants who receive an offer of employment from Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited would have been required to go through a formal and transparent recruitment process.

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application Closing Date: 29/05/2026