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Our Team

Grace G Akpan 

Managing Lawyer

Grace G Akpan 

Grace is an internationally trained lawyer. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995 and the Alberta Bar in 2019 after successfully completing her Canadian Legal Accreditation requirements. Grace obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) degree from the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. She subsequently obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria and a Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law (GCIP) from the National University of Singapore.


After attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995, Grace did a one-year mandatory National Youth Service with Njikoka Local Government Council as a Legal Adviser (In-house Counsel). Thereafter, she joined a mid-sized law firm of G. S. Yilyok & Co (Gantan Solicitors) and practiced as an Associate Counsel for three years before moving to Singapore in 1999, where she joined a full-service commercial law firm of Allen & Gledhill LLP (one of the largest and leading law firms in Singapore and South-east Asia) for over ten years, in the role of a Litigation Executive before returning to Nigeria in 2010. 


While in Nigeria, Grace joined a mid-sized law firm of Joseph Nwobike, SAN & Co, and practiced as an Associate Counsel/Head of Dispute Resolution, a position she held for over two years, before moving to Canada in 2015 with her husband and three children. Thereafter, she worked with an immigration law firm of Ackah Business Immigration Law in Calgary, Alberta, for almost two years as an Intern and a Student-at-Law. 


Grace has many years of experience in corporate and commercial litigation practice, immigration, alternative dispute resolution, debt recovery and drafting of various legal documents. She has International exposure and good knowledge of both the local and international legal procedures, having worked in Nigeria, Singapore and Canada for many years in different legal capacities, namely, Head of Dispute Resolution, Associate Counsel, In-house Counsel, Litigation Executive, Intern and Student-at-Law. 


In addition to her professional working experience, Grace volunteered with many community-based agencies, including but not limited to Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA) at the legal clinic, the Children’s Legal & Educational Resource Centre and Winners Chapel International Calgary. In April 2017, Grace was awarded CIWA’s Volunteer of the Month and in July 2018, she featured on the Immigrant Services Calgary’s Profile of “Immigrant Success Stories”. She is also a registered mentor with Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC), a robust not-for-profit organization that effectively and efficiently connects newcomer professionals with strategies designed to help them be employable.


Grace’s professional and volunteering interests have provided her with opportunities to develop a strong work ethic, invest in the community, engage with members of the community, and enhance her personal and professional skills. She is a team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as good analytical and decision-making skills. When not at work, Grace enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. George S Akpan, PhD

Senior Associate

Dr. George S Akpan, PhD

Dr. Akpan is currently a Senior Associate at Grace George Law (“GGL”). Dr. Akpan brings a rare blend of academic excellence, global legal experience, and practical business insight to GGL. A dual-qualified lawyer (Canada and Nigeria), Dr. Akpan is a seasoned legal professional with over two decades of experience in corporate-commercial law, oil and gas law, foreign investment law, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and public policy. Dr. Akpan has extensive experience across various industries and regions. Dr. Akpan's expertise is highly sought after.
 

Prior to joining GGL, Dr. Akpan was Senior Associate with the Republic Law where he was in charge of Corporate Commercial Practice and Cross Border Corporate transactions.
 

Prior to that, Dr. Akpan spent over thirteen years at Mobil Producing Nigeria (an ExxonMobil affiliate). Dr. Akpan's contributions were instrumental in his rise to the position of Senior Legal Counsel before departing in 2020. During his tenure at ExxonMobil, he excelled in roles such as Associate Counsel where he oversaw all legal functions within the MPN JV Operations. Dr. Akpan adeptly handled high-stakes negotiations, reviewing multi- billion-dollar procurement and oil and gas contracts. He also played a pivotal role in securing external financing for asset development while ensuring compliance with Nigerian laws governing the company's operations. Notably, Dr. Akpan served as the lead lawyer advising the company on legal and policy matters pertaining to the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act, which was signed into law in 2021. He represented the company on the Oil and Gas Industry Group, OPTS for eight years. He was also responsible for employment law advising the company on employment law, policy and issues and served as a member on the company’s disciplinary committee for several years.
 

In addition to his remarkable tenure at ExxonMobil, Dr. Akpan's career encompasses prestigious consulting roles with renowned international organizations, including the World Bank and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He has held esteemed teaching positions at many globally recognized universities such as WTO Centre at Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan and served as a visiting professor at the United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Akpan's extensive publications in reputable journals have further solidified his standing as an authority in petroleum law, foreign investment, international trade, and policy. Dr. Akpan’s wealth of experience, profound knowledge, and exceptional track record make him an invaluable asset to clients seeking unparalleled legal guidance in the realms of corporate commercial law, petroleum and investment law.
 

Dr. Akpan is a trusted advisor who brings intellectual rigour, cultural competence, and unmatched dedication to client service. His depth of experience and ability to synthesize complex legal issues into actionable guidance form the bedrock of GGL’s approach to legal excellence.
 

Professional Experience:

  • Senior Associate, The Republic Law, Calgary: Leading contract negotiation, advisory in corporate-commercial law, family law, real estate, and cross border transactions.

  • Senior Counsel, Mobil Producing Nigeria (ExxonMobil Affiliate): Managed upstream oil & gas legal transactions, compliance, government relations, and external counsel; negotiated JOAs, MSAs, employment issues, and advised on natural resource legislation.


Academic Background:

  • Ph.D., National University of Singapore

  • LL.M (with Distinction), University of Dundee, UK (Petroleum Law)

  • LL.M, University of Lagos (Corporate Law)

  • LL.B (Hons), University of Uyo (Best Graduating Student in Law)

  • Certificate of Qualification, NCA (Canada)

  • CPLED, Alberta Bar Admission Program 

  • Advanced Certificate in Intellectual Property, WIPO Academy.

  • Member in good standing, Law Society of Alberta and Nigerian Bar Association


Key Strengths:

  • Corporate-Commercial Transactions & Cross-Border Deals

  • Oil & Gas Law and Infrastructure Negotiation

  • Regulatory Compliance & Government Relations

  • Employment Law & Labour Negotiations

  • Legal Research, Policy Analysis, and Advocacy

  • Exceptional Writing, Teaching & Public Speaking Abilities


Select Distinctions:

  • JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellow, Tokyo

  • Visiting Fellow, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo

  • Visiting Fellow, United Nations University, Tokyo Japan

  • Author of numerous peer-reviewed publications on natural resources, trade law, and investment law and policy.

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