Charles Kaplan and Tunde Oyewole have worked together as a team for over ten years and are also familiar with many of ASAFO & CO.’s founding partners who launched the firm, now in its fifth year.
A key figure in international investment arbitration and commercial arbitration, Kaplan has acted in some of the world’s largest disputes, primarily advising major energy, infrastructure and industrial key players active in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere.
His experience includes conducting arbitrations on oil production sharing agreements, gas pricing disputes, EPC contracts, tax stabilisation agreements, international joint ventures, as well as aircraft development programs. He has in-depth experience of arbitrations under all major arbitral rules, and regularly sits as arbitrator.
“The firm’s unique global platform and strong presence in Africa offers me an ideal environment to expand my practice and bring new opportunities to the team,” Kaplan said, commenting on his new appointment. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Paris and globally, to collectively contribute to further building the firm’s dispute resolution practice and guide our clients through all aspects of major disputes."
Oyewole represents investors, developers, States and companies in post-M&A, corporate shareholder, foreign investment and intellectual property disputes in a number of sectors, including energy and power, infrastructure, telecommunications and natural resources. He has acted in arbitrations all over the world, including in Africa, where his practice has grown in recent years.
Oyewole said he was thrilled to start this new chapter in his career as a partner at ASAFO & CO.: “It is exciting to be part of a firm that continues to set itself apart, and I look forward to expanding its global disputes footprint as part of its plan for strategic growth.”
Kaplan and Oyewole’s arrival marks an important milestone in the development of ASAFO & CO.’s dispute resolution practice. Not only will their track record give the firm the bench strength it needs to accelerate its arbitration practice globally and in Africa, but their addition will also generate synergies with the existing team in Paris, particularly in arbitrations involving energy, natural resources and international public law issues, and international commercial disputes.
The firm’s positioning as a global arbitration player is further enhanced by Kaplan and Oyewole’s diverse backgrounds and experience of both the common and civil law systems, which will allow them to work seamlessly alongside teams in other offices.
“Charles and Tunde will bring real depth to our international arbitration offering,” commented Pascal Agboyibor, Managing Partner, ASAFO & CO. “Their sectoral experience, particularly in the energy sector, will be hugely beneficial to our clients, particularly as they face the challenges of sustainable development goals and new resources that are driving the global energy transition. In addition, having worked with both extensively, we are fortunate to share the same values and commitment to the rule of law, particularly when it comes to Africa. We are all looking forward to working with them.”
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