Donald Ibebuike graduated LL.B (Hons) from Abia State University in 2002. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004. He holds a Masters Degree (LL.M) in Oil & Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, UK (2010).

Donald is a consummate and an articulate Lawyer who has undertaken high profile assignments advising Clients on Maritime, Shipping, Oil, Gas & Energy, Commercial and Corporate Law issues. He also litigates and arbitrates on issues arising from his areas of interest. He has rendered legal advice, litigated and/or conducted arbitration on joint ventures, exploration and production contracts, Oil and Gas technical service/management agreements, assets acquisitions and divestments, Local Content Services, Project Finance, power/renewable energy projects and finance, Ports & Terminals Development and Concessioning, Vessel Arrest/Release, Ship Lease, Chartering, Sale, Purchase and Finance, Cargo Claims, Shipping, Cabotage Compliance Services, Demurrage Claims, Freight and Hire Recoveries, Collision & Marine Insurance Claims etc.

Between January 2009 and July 2010 Donald undertook post graduate studies (LLM) in Oil & Gas Law at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. Upon completion of his programme, he gained work experience at the Marine & International Trade Department of Clyde & Co. LLP in its London office.

He has participated as a delegate as well as a resource person in many local and international conferences and seminars cutting across diverse topics relating to his areas of practice. He has been involved in research work relating to Oil, Gas & Energy and Shipping in the following areas: Legal Framework for Investment in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry; Emission Trading Scheme and its Impact in the Upstream Industry; Dispute Resolution Procedures in the Oil and Gas Industry; Risk Allocation in Commercial Contracts and Upstream Projects; Investment Protection under the Energy Charter Treaty, Carriage of Containerized Cargo by Sea. Cabotage and Local Content regime in the shipping and oil and gas sectors in Nigeria, Power sector reform, regulation and investment in the renewable energy sources of energy.

He is one of the Authors of the Lexology’s Nigerian Chapter on Ports & Terminals 2020 and 2021 Editions as well as the Nigerian Chapter on Renewable Energy, 2021 Edition.

He is a member of the following organizations and bodies: Nigerian Bar Association; International Bar Association; London Court of International Arbitration; Energy Institute, London; Centre for Petroleum Information, Lagos; Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), Houston, USA; Nigerian Maritime Law Association as well as an Advisory Board Member of ReEnergy Africa.

Ojukwu graduated LL.B (Hons) from University of Nigeria, 2002; The Nigerian Law School (B.L) 2004. He holds an LL.M degree in International Commercial & Maritime Law from Swansea University, Wales, UK (2015/17).

Ojukwu is experienced in advising on Shipping related and regulatory compliance issues including Ship mortgage and finance, registration, licensing and documentation, Local Content Services. He has been actively involved in Maritime, Shipping, Commercial and Corporate practice and has undertaken many sector specific mediation cases between Terminal Operators and relevant Regulators in the industry, Ports & Terminals Development and Concessioning, Admiralty action in rem, cargo claims, etc. He has severally advised on the state of the Nigerian law with respect to Piracy at Sea and other related issues. He handles complex litigation and arbitration cases associated with his areas of practice.

Between September 2015 and January 2017, Ojukwu undertook post graduate studies (LLM) in International Commercial & Maritime Law at Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom. Upon completion of his programme, he gained work experience at the Shipping Department of Holman Fenwick Willan, in its London office.

Ojukwu has participated as a panelist, delegate and as a resource person in many local and international conferences and seminars cutting across diverse topics bordering on his areas of practice. He has also been involved in research works in relation to maritime safety, ship mortgage and acquisition, charterparty. He co-authored Lexology’s Nigerian Chapter on Ports & Terminals 2020 and 2021 Editions.

He has participated in many local and international conferences and seminars in relation to shipping and admiralty law practice as well as international commercial arbitration/dispute resolution.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Maritime Law Association amongst others.