ALICE BAKARE
Addlestone
Summary
Highly skilled and results-driven Solicitor with over 10 years of extensive experience in corporate and commercial law. Specialising in advising multinational clients on complex legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, training and mentoring, corporate governance, contracts management, compliance, and dispute resolution. Proven ability to mitigate risk, and drive business success through strategic legal counsel. Adept at negotiating, drafting, and interpreting commercial contracts and advising senior executives on legal implications of corporate strategies.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Counsel
Schneider Electric Limited
London, UK
03.2022 - 02.2025
- Provide regulatory and compliance services, claims/litigation management, contract and transactional legal services to Digital Energy and Secure Power business units within UK/I.
- Advising on various legal & regulatory requirements relating to Schneider Electric's portfolio of services across UK and Ireland, with ad-hoc support across EMEA.
- Preparing, reviewing and supporting negotiations of contracts and tenders, templates for wider business use, and reviewing and negotiating various number of contracts including industry standard construction type contracts, framework agreements, service contracts, sub-contracts, NDA's and Digital Services Contracts (Data Centre Agreements, i.e., Distribution, OEM, System Integrator, Services).
- Implement a proactive risk assessment protocol, identifying potential legal issues before they escalate, which results in a 60% decrease in litigation cases over two years.
- Work closely with departments such as Finance, HR, Commercial, Contracts and Operations to provide legal guidance on various projects, contributing to a 15% improvement in interdepartmental process efficiency.
- Drafting, analysing, providing advice and negotiating various combination of Services/Products/Systems contracts, Software and SaaS Agreements of varying scope and complexity.
- Proactively identifying, defining, and mitigating risks by contributing to and implementing policies and procedures.
- Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and Group policies.
- Moderate legal negotiations between clients and third parties.
- Providing competition regulatory advice.
- Working directly with internal stakeholders, as well as with Schneider Electric suppliers and/or customers, to negotiate complex agreements in relation to Schneider Electric's operation, product offering, customer projects or services and technology incorporated in Schneider Electric offerings.
- Providing training to management, business teams and facilitating compliance programs.
- Providing pre-litigation/claims support and overseeing litigation and representing Schneider Electric's in matters before courts, government agencies, or other authorities to protect Schneider Electric's legal & business interests.
- Supporting local real estate matters and employment issues.
- Manage and resolve contract-related disputes in collaboration with relevant departments, ensuring swift and effective resolution.
- Investigating and reporting on compliance breaches, health and safety issues as well as employment law related matters.
- Advise management and business units on all legal matters, including on potential impact of current and future regulations.
- Managing external law firms and preparing litigation materials to ensure that Schneider Electric's interests are well represented.
- Managed and cleared legal backlogs for Schneider Electric Digital Energy business division within 3 months of employment, which enabled this business division to meet customer deadlines and generate outstanding revenue.
Legal Counsel
Mercer Limited
London, UK
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Provided legal support in relation to software and technology products, with a focus on Darwin, the market-leading global SaaS employee benefits management platform
- Advised on legal issues and provided legal guidance to the business to assist in the approval process of contractual provisions where necessary
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate data protection considerations into business projects and negotiated appropriate data protection addendum (DPA)
- Provided advice and supported on matters including, but not limited to, contract and commercial negotiations, regulatory compliance, privacy, corporate projects, and dispute resolution
- Creation and maintenance of legal precedents and negotiations of contractual terms
- Maintenance of agreed processes and controls associated with establishing new contracts
- Served as the primary point of contact for contractual matters, providing guidance to internal stakeholders and liaising with external clients and partners to resolve any contractual issues
- Reviewed and approved all other contractual documents as may be required by the business or clients from time to time
- Provided support through contractual negotiations and advice to relevant business units on all aspects of contractual matters
- Supported on general commercial matters, including client and vendor contracting, new propositions, digital solutions, data protection, template development and process improvement
Legal Counsel (International Commercial Contracts)
Leidos Security & Automation Limited
Luton, UK
11.2019 - 03.2021
- Company Overview: A Fortune 500 company that provides technology and business process transformation services to various UK government agencies, and large corporations
- Developed contracting and legal strategies to expand market share for a Fortune 500 company that provides technology and business process transformation services to various UK government agencies, and large corporations
- I also directed contract policies/procedures, templates, management, negotiation, IP portfolio, and regulatory compliance including export licensing and data privacy laws
- Negotiated a variety of complex commercial transactions including sales, procurement and other contractual agreements
- Actively participated in contract negotiations with foreign governments, multi-national companies, distributors, and business partners
- Drafted all new contracting paper, training materials, procedures, and playbooks
- Provided timely evaluation, solution-based business & contractual advice and proposed mitigation strategies to all levels of management both domestic and international
- Increased efficiency by 30% and reduced turn-around times through creation of performance metrics
- Mediated and negotiated all company project and non-project claims and disputes, thereby preventing litigation and reducing the associated costs and damages
- Successfully provided my legal and contracts support to the business, in the acquisition and corporate restructuring of MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Limited, which is now called Leidos Security & Automation Limited
- Performed functions that supported corporate governance and regulatory matters
- Provided a strategy on the implications of business and regulatory issues in the UK and maintained compliance with established laws
- A Fortune 500 company that provides technology and business process transformation services to various UK government agencies, and large corporations
Legal Counsel
TP Bennett LLP
London , UK
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: An architecture and design practice
- I managed a wide range of legal affairs for an architecture and design practice and was also the focal point for the treatment of all contractual legal issues
- Provided timely, high quality, practical and commercially focused legal advice by balancing legal risk with the commercial needs of the business
- Worked hard to reach resolutions and agreements with customers and suppliers
- Managed legal compliance risks as defined by the company, EU & UK law, and other applicable legal regimes
- Took a proactive and leading role in reviewing, negotiating and drafting architect's professional appointments and related contracts such as non-disclosure agreements, sub-consultant's appointments, collateral warranties, MSAs, framework agreements and novation agreements
- Negotiated legal terms of standard and non-standard contractual agreements with clients and sub-consultants on building construction projects
- Ensured compliance with the requirements of the company's insurers and the Construction Act
- Reviewed supplier agreements to be entered into by the company and maintained a collection of standard contractual documentation
- Communicated effectively with clients, insurers and external counsel
- Assisted in managing and handling claims and potential claims against the company in conjunction with insurers and external counsel, as well as claims for unpaid fees
- An architecture and design practice
Sole Legal Counsel
COWI UK Limited
Staffordshire, UK
03.2016 - 03.2018
- Spearheaded the creation of the company's first in-house legal department, developing comprehensive legal policies and procedures that ensured compliance with industry regulations and reduced reliance on external counsel by 40%.
- Provided legal advice to the company on English/EU Laws and ensured that the company acted within the law at all times
- Likewise, I managed, drafted, reviewed and negotiated all project and non-projects contracts in compliance with the corporate governance
- Provided general day-to-day legal assistance to the company's senior management team
- Attended and participated in board meetings
- Successfully reduced the norm of undertaking work for clients without a signed contract, thereby improving capital rate by 60% and minimising disputes or any problems that may arise
- Drafted and negotiated over 100 commercial contracts annually, including key vendor agreements and client partnerships, leading to a 25% reduction in contract turnaround time.
- Coordinated the full lifecycle of legal transactions in conjunction with COWI Group Legal including but not limited to drafting, reviewing, negotiating contractual agreements, conducting due diligence and mitigating the company's risk exposure.
- Structured, drafted and negotiated contracts including but not limited to design consultancy agreements, joint venture agreements, procurement contracts, lease agreements, collateral warranties and industry standard construction contracts
- Managed and coordinated suppliers, clients and employment claims and provided counsel on disputes and settlements
- Mediated and negotiated all project and non-project claims and disputes, thereby preventing litigation and reducing the associated costs and damages by 70%
- Managed and liaised with insurance brokers on project and non-project insurance issues and claims
- Provided input in the establishment of contract management to ensure compliance with the contract management procedures and the contract database
- Managed and appointed external counsel/law firms on litigating claims and monitored their legal fees
- Provided training to the company's line managers and senior management on various legal subjects, including but not limited to contracts, claims management, employment legislation or other similar initiatives
- Conducted regular company sanity checks, general corporate housekeeping and advised on various legal compliance matters
- Provided guidance and due diligence support to the management and COWI Group on M&A in connection with M&A activities
- Improved and updated standard form agreement templates
- Offered legal assistance and guidance to other COWI Group subsidiaries on an as-needed basis
Group Legal Contracts Officer
Servelec Group Plc.
Sheffield, UK
02.2015 - 01.2016
- I provided legal and contractual support to the company's Sales Team, Senior Directors and Project Managers on Software/IT related issues
- Managed, drafted and negotiated all forms of IT/Software related contracts, including but not limited to Master Service Agreements, Sales Orders, SaaS Agreements, Professional Services Agreements, Service Level Agreements and Vendor Agreements
- Advised Project and Sales Managers on the application of terms and conditions of IT licensing contracts, both pre and post-contract
- Assisted Directors and Managers on risk assessment and estimation of commercial costs for bids
- Drafted the commercial sections of the responses to pre-qualification questionnaires and invitations to tender
- Reviewed and acknowledged purchase orders, quotations, and contracts
- Advised on a wide range of commercial contracts including IP, privacy and competition queries
- Drafted and negotiated licensing contracts and contractual variations
- Ensured that contracting activities were carried out in accordance with the local/EU legislations and the Group's policies and procedures
Legal Contracts & Procurement Manager
Tabor Energy Solutions (UK)
Aberdeen, UK
02.2013 - 01.2015
- I assisted with the review and negotiation of contractual terms and conditions with clients and suppliers, as well as other commercial matters such as pricing strategies, tender compilation, insurances, process development and risk management
- Drafted and negotiated contracts independently on assigned projects
- Maintained market knowledge on tenders and contracts' trends and development
- Ensured all contract activities were handled in conformity with Contracts and Procurement discipline with special attention to HSE and Compliance
- Helped the project staff in the area of material sourcing, technical support and vendor relations
- Executed $100k+ purchases/change orders of productive materials, supplies, machinery, tooling and services using SRM and direct procurement practices
- Preparation of purchasing orders, request for quotations (RFQ) or organize competitive bidding of various suppliers to obtain best quality, delivery and price for goods and services
- Assessed supplier performance and conduct reviews with suppliers
- Ensured completeness and clarity of specifications and product requirements of requisitions raised by the project manager
- Evaluated suppliers to ensure the ability to supply the requirements
- Reviewed acknowledgment of purchase orders and resolved any discrepancies
Legal Trainee
Babalakin & Co
Abuja, Nigeria
10.2010 - 09.2011
- Prepared a variety of court documents under the guidance of Senior Barristers and firm management, including summonses, subpoenas, complaints, and responses
- Supported on litigation proceedings and assisted in collecting evidence, compiling artefacts, consolidating facts, preparing documents as needed, and tracking cases
- Developed cases by providing research for assigned Senior Partners and maintained communication with involved parties, and cataloguing information provided
- Maintained regular communication with clients and helped to keep them informed on the progress of their cases
- Researched case laws made legal notes, and prepared court brief as needed
Legal Intern
Rotimi Ojo & Co
Abuja, Nigeria
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Drafted legal documents and negotiated assigned contracts with clients
- Full involvement in the litigation process by preparing and filing court processes
- Developed and recommended potential solutions to contractual problems and prepared commercial letters for clients
Education
English Solicitor -
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
10.2024 -
Master of Laws (LLM) - Merit
University of Aberdeen
Scotland, UK 11.2011 - 11.2012
Bachelor of Arts - (Barrister & Solicitor)
Nigerian Law School
Abuja, Nigeria 10.2010 - 08.2011
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Law
Igbinedion University Okada
Edo State, Nigeria 10.2005 - 10.2010
Skills
- Business Law Expertise
- Dispute Resolution
- Commercial & Government Transactions
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Legal Compliance & Staff Training
- Litigation & Legal Risk Management Strategies
- Corporate Governance
- Merger/Acquisition Expertise
- Intellectual Property Advisory
- GDPR/Privacy Tenets
- UK & US Export Compliance Laws and Anti-Bribery Laws
- Proficient in Software/SaaS Agreements
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 principles, standards and inspection methods
- Proficient in legal research databases and Microsoft Office Suite
Certification
Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional Certification (AIGP) - IAPP - In View
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Managed and cleared the legal backlog for Schneider Electric Digital Energy business division within 3 months of employment, which enabled the business to meet customer deadlines and generate outstanding revenue.
- Delivered a minimum of 6 hours compliance training to relevant Schneider Electric UK project staff yearly.
- As the first lawyer hired by COWI UK, I established the company's legal department from scratch, taking on the responsibility of building the legal function within the organisation and set up all necessary legal processes and procedures.
- Negotiated and finalised the Tender & Design Services Contracts on one of the biggest rail projects in the UK (High Speed Two (HS2)) for COWI UK Ltd as part of the ASC Joint Venture.
- Obtained favourable settlements in 75% of disputes and claims cases.
- Single handedly prepared, managed and conducted various training for all COWI project staff on the use of the NEC3 Professional Services Contract and corporate compliance.
- Managed the corporate restructure (including the merger and acquisition) of all COWI Group subsidiaries in the UK.
- Negotiated and finalized the Tender & Design Services Contracts of a major Tunnels project in Singapore - Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase 1 and 2.
- Worked with the contract team to prepare Tabor Energy Solutions Technical/Commercial bid to SHELL Nigeria for a 24inch Hot-tap Pipeline Repair Contract in Bodo Community Nigeria.
- Single handedly coordinated the process from start to finish of the British Standard International (BSI) audits on Tabor Energy Solutions UK, for the attainment of its ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification.
Affiliations
Member - The Law Society of England & Wales
Timeline
English Solicitor -
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
10.2024 -
Legal Counsel
Schneider Electric Limited
03.2022 - 02.2025
Legal Counsel
Mercer Limited
09.2021 - 08.2022
Legal Counsel (International Commercial Contracts)
Leidos Security & Automation Limited
11.2019 - 03.2021
Legal Counsel
TP Bennett LLP
01.2018 - 01.2019
Sole Legal Counsel
COWI UK Limited
03.2016 - 03.2018
Group Legal Contracts Officer
Servelec Group Plc.
02.2015 - 01.2016
Legal Contracts & Procurement Manager
Tabor Energy Solutions (UK)
02.2013 - 01.2015
Master of Laws (LLM) - Merit
University of Aberdeen
11.2011 - 11.2012
Legal Trainee
Babalakin & Co
10.2010 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Arts - (Barrister & Solicitor)
Nigerian Law School
10.2010 - 08.2011
Legal Intern
Rotimi Ojo & Co
01.2007 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Law
Igbinedion University Okada
10.2005 - 10.2010
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