CHIOMA FRANCIS
Toronto,ON
Summary
Experienced Commercial Legal Counsel with over 11 years in law and commercial management, specializing in construction contracts. Demonstrated success in optimizing commercial aspects of complex projects. Seeking to leverage expertise in drafting, negotiating, and analyzing agreements to support Metrolinx's Legal Services team in transit expansion and operations. Holder of a BL(Law), LLB(Law), and LLM(Law) Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, as well as a ClArb designation. Currently in the employment of Metrolinx supporting the Capital program management team.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Commercial Management (Contract Administration)
METROLINX
09.2022 - Current
- Prepares, reviews, and administers high profile, large scale, and complex contracts (e.g
- Construction, commercial/supplier, operations, consulting contracts) during various stages of the contract management process, including working with internal project teams to define the scope of work and project specifications
- Identifying potential project risks and mitigation strategies to ensure risk mitigation and management, value management and cost control
- Participant in the preparation of scope for potential procurement/RFP documentation, monitoring contracts to ensure contracts are aligned with procurement /contract management strategies and are complying with the terms and conditions set out in the contractual agreements and working with the Cost Finance Group to obtain payment approval for invoices
- Identifies and advises on the resolution of a range of critical contract issues including contractor performance, and monitors contractor adherence to the terms of contractual agreements; enforces contractual obligations and conditions by engaging internal legal representation as well as aiding in negotiations and resolution of matters, or enforcement of penalty clauses, Liquidated Damages, etc
- In conjunction with internal business units, develop risk mitigation strategies for large-scale, high-profile profile and complex contracts/projects (e.g., developing key indicators to identify when risk may become a claim) to ensure the compliance of contracts and change orders to minimize corporate liability throughout the lifecycle of the projects
- Liaises and works collaboratively with other Metrolinx departments such as Procurement Services, Capital Finance, Legal Counsels, and Commercial Support, as well as with various internal and external stakeholders, municipalities, provincial agencies, and other transit authorities (CN, CP, etc.) Liaises with various internal stakeholders (e.g., internal project teams, Procurement, Legal, Finance, etc.) with respect to all aspects of contract administration and risks including claims and dispute resolution
- Assisted in standardizing and updating wording for terms of reference and supplemental conditions by recommending revised/updated language to ensure consistency in application and interpretation
- Systematically managed contract-related correspondence and documentation and ensures tracking of contract deliverables is proactively managed.
Commercial /Contract Manager
BRUNEL GROUP
08.2020 - 09.2022
- Prepared the scope for potential procurement, and monitoring of contracts to ensure contracts are aligned with procurement/contract management strategies and are complying with the terms and conditions set out in the contractual agreement
- Negotiated and finalized contracts with subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers, achieving cost savings while maintaining quality standards
- Conducted thorough risk assessment and developed risk mitigation strategies, safeguarding projects from potential financial and legal challenges
- Monitored contract compliance, change orders, and claim resolution, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations
- Liaised and worked collaboratively with Procurement Services and the corporate legal team to prepare complex contractual clauses that align with commercial best practices while meeting program and project objectives
- Reviewed contracts, verifying accuracy and resolving discrepancies to ensure contract compliance in accordance with company guidelines and directives
- Collaborating with Legal Services and other departments to interpret and clarify contractual terms and conditions
- Contributing to authoring and assisting in the review and analysis of the corporation's highly complex Capital Project tenders and contract documents to ensure that the appropriate contracting strategy and contractual clauses are applied to reduce risk and protect the interests of the company
- Advising vendors in writing on remedial actions for contract breaches, escalating non-compliance situations to business unit leaders for further action, and outlining contractual remedies available for addressing non-compliance
- Collaborating with Procurement Services and the corporate legal team to prepare complex contractual clauses that align with commercial best practices while meeting program and project objectives
- Identifying opportunities for commercial strategy innovation, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement of commercial and contract management, contract administration, and risk control.
Commercial Manager
SAIPEM
01.2018 - 07.2020
- Coordinated with subcontractors, Vendors, and suppliers to obtain competitive bids and quotes, leading to cost-effective budget execution
- Liaised with project teams to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions
- Negotiated contract and service agreements with vendors, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the company while complying with industry standards
- Solicited bids and negotiated contracts with suppliers and subcontractors
- Assisted in managing supplier relationships and resolving any procurement-related issues, thereby ensuring compliance with the company's procurement policies and industry regulations
- Actively monitoring commercial performance management, proactively providing resolutions for issues, overseeing, and collaborating on contract change requests/amendments, and standardized internal processes that contribute to achieving desired service levels and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Contributed to authoring and assisting in the review and analysis of the corporation's highly complex Capital Project tenders and contract documents to ensure that the appropriate contracting strategy and contractual clauses are applied to reduce risk and protect the interests of the company
- Led a cross-functional team to analyze service delivery data and identified inefficiencies, resulting in a 15% improvement in on-time delivery performance.
Legal Department In-House Counsel
Diamond Bank PLC
05.2016 - 04.2018
- Provided accurate, relevant, and timely advice to senior management and other members of staff on a variety of legal topics
- Represented the bank in several commercial negotiations, mediation, conciliation, and other forms of dispute resolution forums ensuring amicable resolution of the dispute within the parties where possible
- Conducted legal research and analysis on corporate/commercial law matters to support corporate decision-making
- Interfaced with Corporate Audit/Customer Service on complaints from customers or their solicitors to investigate the matter and where necessary broker meetings with Complainants for amicable resolution of such complaints
- Management and monitoring of litigation portfolio, maintenance of litigation schedule, files, and records for the Bank
- Directs and manages external counsels and solicitors to ensure that cases are progressing, communicating with management on the status of pending cases, as well as attending court to give evidence in various matters
- Contributed to corporate policies, standards, and procedures formation and implementations, ensuring adherence to corporate governance, compliance, and documenting such obligations in agreements with external and internal stakeholders
- Improved procedures, workflows, and templates, applying LEAN methodologies, to eliminate waste and improve customer satisfaction and value for money
- Conducted legal research on a diverse range of complex legal matters, as well as advising and making presentations to all levels of management
- Drafted, analyzed, reviewed, amended, and negotiated complex procurement contracts, opinions, Letter of Credit, and other legal documents to support the overall corporate strategy of the bank
- Analyzed and provided legal advisory services on laws and regulations applicable to senior Management staff, other subject matter experts, stakeholders, and business partners of the Bank as and when required on all legal matters
- Developed and delivered training and mentorship programs to other stakeholders and business partners
- Collaborated and operated in a highly integrated working relationship with senior business leaders, business units, and subject matter experts to strategize and negotiate critical commercial transactions and dispute resolution.
Associate – Corporate/Commercial Law
Aina Blankson LP
01.2014 - 04.2016
- Negotiated, drafted, and reviewed a wide range of commercial agreements, including purchase agreements, security documents, property acquisition, lease agreements, guarantees and indemnity, and other facility agreements
- Advised corporate clients on contract terms, risks, and legal implications, facilitating favorable outcomes, and minimizing potential disputes
- Presented clear and well-reasoned legal arguments in hearings, regulatory proceedings, and court cases, advocating for the corporate client’s interests
- Drafted legal briefs, memoranda, and submissions to support corporate client’s positions in complex legal disputes and challenges
- Provided legal guidance on corporate governance compliance requirements to corporate clients
- Conducted training sessions to educate clients on legal and compliance matters, fostering a culture of legal awareness.
Education
LLM-Law -
Osgoode Hall- York University
09.2023
Bar Admission Program -
Canadian Center for Professional Legal Education (CPLED)
12.2022
Certificate of Law Degree Requalification -
National Committee on Accreditation Canada
12.2021
Barrister and Solicitor Qualifying Certificate -
The Nigerian Law School, Nigeria
09.2006
Bachelor of Law -
University of Benin
09.2005
Skills
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Oracle Primavera, and SharePoint
- Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills with detailed knowledge of contract law, contracting procedures, and contract management
- Experience leading high dollar-value projects including drafting contracts, planning, scheduling, and contract monitoring
- Expertise in providing company secretarial and legal advisory services to internal and external stakeholders
- Highly analytical with strong decision-making abilities, attention to detail, and effective follow-up skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, problem solving and interpersonal skills
- Skilled in leading staff training sessions and advising on Conflict of Interest and Compliance matters
- Membership in the Law Society of Ontario as a Lawyer in good standing
- Team-oriented, facilitative, detail-driven, capable of multitasking, and performing well under pressure
- Proficient in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt methodologies, continuous improvement techniques, and quality control
- Skilled in legal research, drafting legal opinions, agreements, and resolutions Experience working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and collaborating effectively with stakeholders
- Proficient in direct and indirect procurement with comprehensive knowledge of end-to-end procurement operations
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance, risk management, and delivering exceptional customer service
Affiliations
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria
Bar Admissions
- Law Society of Ontario, Lawyer in good standing, March 2024
- Nigerian Bar Association, Lawyer in good Standing, September 2006
Timeline
Commercial Management (Contract Administration)
METROLINX
09.2022 - Current
Commercial /Contract Manager
BRUNEL GROUP
08.2020 - 09.2022
Commercial Manager
SAIPEM
01.2018 - 07.2020
Legal Department In-House Counsel
Diamond Bank PLC
05.2016 - 04.2018
Associate – Corporate/Commercial Law
Aina Blankson LP
01.2014 - 04.2016
LLM-Law -
Osgoode Hall- York University
Bar Admission Program -
Canadian Center for Professional Legal Education (CPLED)
Certificate of Law Degree Requalification -
National Committee on Accreditation Canada
Barrister and Solicitor Qualifying Certificate -
The Nigerian Law School, Nigeria
Bachelor of Law -
University of Benin