Launching and growing a business in today’s highly regulated and competitive environment requires more than just a great idea, it demands legal foresight, strategic structuring, and proactive compliance. Shekinah is a trusted legal partner to entrepreneurs, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering comprehensive, practical, and forward-thinking legal support tailored to your business journey.
Our Start-Up and SME Advisory Practice is designed to help early-stage companies and growth-stage businesses navigate legal complexities with clarity and confidence. We empower our clients to make informed decisions that align with regulatory requirements, protect their interests, and position them for sustainable success.
With deep insight into Nigeria’s business climate and global entrepreneurial trends, Shekinah provides value-driven legal solutions that ensure your operations are compliant, your contracts are secure, and your business model is scalable.
Our Service Offerings
1. Business Incorporation & Structure Advisory
- Advisory on business types and optimal legal structure
- Incorporation of companies (LLC, Limited by Guarantee, Partnerships, etc.)
- CAC filings, share structuring, and post-incorporation compliance
- Drafting of founding documents (Memorandum & Articles of Association, Partnership Deeds)
2. Regulatory & Licensing Compliance
- Identification and procurement of necessary business licenses and permits
- NAFDAC, NOTAP, SON, FIRS, State and Local Government approvals
- Ongoing compliance advisory for local and cross-border operations
- Company secretarial services and statutory filings
3. Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Preparation of bespoke contracts tailored to your operations
- Founders’ agreements, shareholder agreements, and investor MOUs
- Employment agreements, NDAs, service-level agreements (SLAs)
- Terms of service, privacy policies, and other user agreements for online platforms
4. Capital Raising & Investment Readiness
- Legal due diligence for seed, angel, and venture capital rounds
- Advisory on equity structuring and convertible instruments
- Drafting and review of investment term sheets and SAFE notes
- Regulatory compliance for foreign investment and repatriation
5. IP Strategy & Brand Protection
- Trademark, copyright, and patent registrations
- Advisory on brand development and digital asset protection
- IP commercialization through licensing, franchising, and partnerships
- Dispute resolution and enforcement of IP rights
6. Employment & Labour Law Advisory
- Drafting of employment policies and HR handbooks
- Advisory on workplace compliance, employee compensation, and benefits
- Employment contracts and contractor agreements
- Guidance on termination, redundancy, and labour dispute resolution
7. Technology & Digital Business Support
- E-commerce and platform regulation advisory
- Data privacy and cybersecurity compliance (NDPR, GDPR readiness)
- Software licensing, SaaS contracts, and online payment frameworks
- Tech startup legal audits and platform terms review
8. Ongoing Legal Advisory & Retainer Services
- Scalable legal support for growing businesses on monthly retainers
- Risk management, business expansion advisory, and compliance updates
- Dispute resolution and representation in commercial negotiations
- General counsel services tailored to startups without in-house legal teams
At Shekinah, we understand the passion, risks, and resilience that drive entrepreneurial ventures. Our legal services for startups and SMEs go beyond mere compliance, we build businesses on strong legal foundations. Whether you’re launching or expanding, our team delivers the clarity, protection, and strategic guidance your business needs to succeed in a competitive market.
Let’s walk with you from ideation to expansion—Shekinah, your legal partner in business growth.