EMELIA AGBESI
Accra
Summary
With six years in legal practice and more than seven years of experience in human resource management and administration, I possess a strong foundation in effective communication and legal analysis. My expertise spans legal drafting, negotiations, and stakeholder engagement at all levels, facilitating seamless collaboration and the achievement of strategic objectives. Additionally, my background in litigation and arbitration has equippped me with valuable experience across diverse areas of legal practice.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Legal Officer
Electricity Company of Ghana
Accra
10.2019 - Current
- Drafting legal papers/legal opinions and advise for Management and Board consideration on highly sensitive and confidential matters including legal liabilities of certain corporate actions/inactions, implications of certain contracts and regulatory and compliance issues.
- Draft and negotiate different types of contracts, including power purchase agreements, service level agreements, procurement and supply agreements, employment contracts, etc. as well as undertake proper due diligence on all potential contracting parties.
- Single-handedly developed and vigorously implementing a comprehensive regulatory and compliance framework, enhancing organizational integrity and risk management.
- Proactively monitoring corporate governance framework of the Company to ensure timely adherence to regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Assist the Human Resources investigative committtee as well as the Gender and Social Inclusion Unit of the Company by providing assistance in investigations, hearings and legal perspectives/addresses on issues of staff culpability, third party liabilities, discrimination and all forms of harrassment within the Company.
- Serve as committee member/secretary for high-level management, facilitating strategic preparations, budget allocations, and research.
- Highly involved in litigation, effectively defending the Company in courts against legal claims and suits.
- Negotiate favorable settlements and compensation agreements with claimants and opposing counsel, while safeguarding the Company’s interests.
- Prepare and present detailed monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on legal activities to Management, while monitoring legal activities to ensure they are line with the Company's strategic objectives.
- Conduct in-depth research to support case management and legal opinions, enhancing legal strategy and outcomes.
- Assist in the drating of legal arguments and addresses during Arbitration preparations for cases involving the Company, and act as liason between inhouse counsel and engaged counsel/witnesses.
- Drafting of legal arguments and presentations to quasi-judicial bodies, including Labour Commission, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, for hearings on behalf of the Company.
- Supervise direct reports including junior lawyers, paralegals and legal interns.
Human Resources Officer
Electricity Company of Ghana Limited
Accra
05.2012 - 09.2019
- Leveraged efficient Staff Records Management, overseeing and maintaining over 800 employee files with precision.
- Facilitated comprehensive training programs on company regulations and relevant legal requirements, enhancing compliance and knowledge.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a robust staff performance and rewards system, driving employee engagement and motivation.
- Scheduled, attended and documented minutes of Management meetings, Union consultative meetings.
- Cordinated the preparation of yearly budgets for the Human Resources Division.
Legal Intern
Securities and Exchange Commission Ghana
Accra
10.2018 - 07.2019
- Attended and meticulously documented all proceedings of the Complaints Hearing Committee, ensuring accurate record-keeping and adherence to protocol.
- Drafted legal opinions on proceedings of the Complaints Hearing Committee for consideration of Management.
- Contributed to the development of a comprehensive digital case archive system, enhancing accessibility and organization of all the Commission's cases.
- Supported legal professionals in the meticulous documentation of court proceedings and preparation of court processes, addresses and legal submissions.
- Prepared and circulated weekly cause lists while constantly updating legal team on cases being handled.
Education
Master of Laws - Alternative Dispute Resolution
University of Ghana
Accra, Ghana 01-2024
Professional Law Practicing Certificate - Law
Ghana School of Law
Accra, Ghana10-2019
Bachelor of Law Degree - Law
Ghana Institute of Management And Public Administration GIMPA
Accra, Ghana05-2017
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Political Science And Government
University of Ghana
Accra, Ghana05.2010
Skills
- Excellent computer skills
- Good communication skills
- Excellent writing skills
- Good documentation abilities
- Analytical and interactive
- Well organized
Certification
- International Commercial Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce (Ghana), in collaboration with the ICC International Court of Arbitration, April 2022
- Negotiations and Report Writing, Hammersmith Training Consult, London, UK, October 2023
- Domestic and International Arbitration, Ghana Arbitration Centre, February 2023
- Arbitration and Mediation, International Law Institute, Washington, D.C., May 2024
- Statutory, legal, and compliance requirements, Oxford Management Centre, Netherlands, August 2024
- Project Management for Professionals, Innovare Limited, Ghana, December 2024 (PMP certification pending)
References
- BEN DANQUAH, Director, Legal Services, Electricity Company of Ghana, bdanquah@ecggh.com, +233 24438961
- SEYRAM DARBI, General Manager, Regulatory and Compliance, Electricity Company of Ghana, sdarbi@ecggh.com, +233 561100029
Recent key achievements
Successful court litigation
1. Litigated and won, in March 2024, a case brought against the company for damages for breach of contract, leading to savings of about two million dollars
2. Litigated and won in May 2024, a negligence suit was brought against the company, saving about 16 million cedis (about one million dollars)
Concluded Negotiated Settlements
Negotiated the settlement of three cases in the first part of the year 2024, reducing a claim of about $800,000 to $400,000
Efficient case management
Led the creation of a digital system that aided in the prompt update of case schedules to assist in court attendance and the update of cases
Regulatory and Compliance System
Designed for implementation, a road map for a compliance management system for the company, which is to aid the company in its legal and regulatory compliance, in order to avoid legal penalties and sanctions for non-compliance
Timeline
Senior Legal Officer
Electricity Company of Ghana
10.2019 - Current
Legal Intern
Securities and Exchange Commission Ghana
10.2018 - 07.2019
Human Resources Officer
Electricity Company of Ghana Limited
05.2012 - 09.2019
Master of Laws - Alternative Dispute Resolution
University of Ghana
Professional Law Practicing Certificate - Law
Ghana School of Law
Bachelor of Law Degree - Law
Ghana Institute of Management And Public Administration GIMPA
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Political Science And Government
University of Ghana
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