Sierra Leone President Commends Baker & McKenzie on Pro Bono Assistance to ISLP in Petroleum Sector Project
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President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone commended Baker & McKenzie for assisting in a number of complex petroleum exploration and production issues. The Firm advised on petroleum exploration and area relinquishment issues as well as participated in extensive discussions about regulatory paradigms in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Baker & McKenzie partner Ben Welmaker provided pro bono representation for the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) in discussions coordinated by the African Center For Economic Transformation (ACET), the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI), the Norwegian Agency For Development Cooperation (NORAD) - Oil For Development Initiative (OfD), the Commonwealth Secretariat, and ISLP.
A letter to ISLP sent on behalf of President Koroma thanked Mr. Welmaker “for taking the lead in ploughing through some very complex petroleum agreements and outlining critical issues…during the scoping mission. This is a testament to his professionalism.”
ISLP, a New York-based not-for-profit organization, provides volunteer legal services by skilled and experienced attorneys to advance democracy and the rule of law, protect human rights and promote equitable economic development worldwide. The organization helps governments and citizens develop and implement legal reform, assists programs that advance the social and economic well-being of people in developing countries, and builds the capacity of local organizations and professionals to meet the needs of their communities.
“The project is an example of our fluency in cross-border pro bono services,” noted John Conroy, chairman of Baker & McKenzie’s Executive Committee. “Given the breadth and depth of our global positioning, we believe that we have the unique opportunity and social responsibility to make a difference in this world. Our work in Sierra Leone is reflective of our commitment to address some of the most important and complex issues that impact developing countries and their citizens.”