The Clarence Team
Clarence has a vibrant multilingual team of dedicated and internationally qualified professionals with experience in a wide range of transactions in Hispanophone, Francophone, Anglophone and Lusophone countries.
Our professionals have tried and tested project management expertise on the continent and work closely with key stakeholders, including regulators, to achieve clients’ objectives.
Management
Abraham Abia
Managing Director
Abraham Abia is widely recognised as one of the leading energy lawyers in Equatorial Guinea, speaking at events around the world. Abraham has a “straight to the point” approach, avoiding legalese when advising clients. He has participated in some of the largest transactions in the region and is renowned for his ability to create and implement country and sector specific standards, policies and procedures.
Areas of Expertise
Energy & Natural Resources
Corporate & Commercial
Government Relations
Environmental Laws
Customs & Local Content
Risk Management & Compliance
Employment and Immigration
Aviation & Telecommunications
Experience
▪︎ Managing Director, Clarence Abogados & Asociados
▪︎ Attorney, Sub-Saharan Africa, Schlumberger
▪︎ Associate Attorney, Centurion Law Group
Education
▪︎ LLB and Legal Practice Course College of Law of England & Wales (now University of Law)
▪︎ BA (Hons), History, SOAS, University of London
Membership
▪︎ Attorney-at-law, Equatorial Guinean Bar Association
▪︎ Member, Institute for Energy Law
▪︎ Member, Joint-Venture Petroleum Association
Languages
Gabrielle Talon
Executive Director
Gabrielle Talon is a medical doctor and audiologist by profession and an Executive Director of Clarence Abogados & Asociados.
While she does not advise clients, she is involved in the strategy and business development side of the company.
Experience
▪︎ Executive Director, Clarence Abogados & Asociados
▪︎ F1 Doctor, St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
▪︎ Paediatric Audiologist, Hounslow & Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Education
▪︎ Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, St. George’s, University of London (United Kingdom)
▪︎ BSc, Audiology, University College London
Membership
▪︎ Member, British Medical Association (BMA)
▪︎ Member, British Academy of Audiology
Languages
René Forkwa
Finance & Compliance Advisor
René is an experienced finance professional with more than 12 years of experience that spans across the Oil & Gas, Aviation, Construction, Tech, HR, and the Legal Services sectors. He is highly skilled in accounting, labour and tax laws in the CEMAC region. Rene is also an avid landscape photographer.
Areas of Expertise
OHADA Accounting Systems
IFRS
Tax law
Local Content
Oil and Gas Law
Fraud Examination
Auditing
Payroll
Experience
▪︎ Finance & Compliance Manager, Clarence Abogados & Asociados
▪︎ Administrator, ICUBEFARM/Bioko Business Center
▪︎ Finance Consultant, Grupo Gartoll
▪︎ Financial Analyst, White Storm Capital
Education
▪︎ MSc, Finance & Accounting, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India (Awaiting Award)
▪︎ Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
▪︎ BSc (Hons), Accountancy, University of Buea, Cameroon
Membership
▪︎ Student Member, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
▪︎ Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Languages
English, French and Spanish
Vanesa Cristina Manga
Administrative & External Relations Manager
Cristina has more than 7 years of experience
combined in Accounting and HR. With a bachelor in business administration and a major in Accounting, her knowledge and background provides a strong foundation that allows for accurate and thorough work.
Areas of Expertise
Payroll
Staff recruitment
Financial statements
Accounts payable
Accounts receivable and billing
Financial management
Experience
▪︎ Accountant & HR, Clarence Abogados
▪︎ HR Manager, KITEA G.E S.A
▪︎ Accountant II, Atlantic Methanol Production Company
▪︎ Accountant Intern, AMPCO
Education
▪︎ Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), University of the District of Columbia
▪︎ DDI Program (Business Knowledge)
Languages
Spanish and English
Lynette Etemesi
Group Stakeholder Relations and Business Development Advisor
Lynette is a highly efficient lawyer with experience in administrative and secretarial procedures in busy and result-driven legal environments. She is highly adept in program development oversight, evaluation, and team organization. She also has the ability to build and maintain relationships with businesses due to her vast career experience in nonprofit organization environments.
Areas of Expertise
Cooperate and Commercial Law
Intellectual Property Law
Policy and Advocacy
Program and Project Management
Research
Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement
Experience
▪︎ Group Stakeholder Relations and Business Development Advisor
▪︎ Committee Member- Decriminalization of Suicide Committee, Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (ongoing)
▪︎ Regional Leader, Africa- The Stability Network(ongoing)
▪︎ Programs Officer; Policy and Advocacy- The Institute of Social Accountability
▪︎ Policy and Advocacy Officer- Health Rights Advocacy Forum
▪︎ Lawyer- Bowmans Kenya (Coulson & Harney)
▪︎ Programs Officer, Legal Affairs and Policy- Eddah’s Hope Cancer Foundation
▪︎ Intern, Kituo cha Sheria, Kenya
Education
▪︎ LLM, International Business Law, University of Cumbria
▪︎ Masters in Global Public Policy- SOAS, London
▪︎ Women and Leadership- European Business University
Languages
English and French
Lawyers
Ibrahim De Carvalho
Consultant
Ibrahim is a Harvard and Oxford University alumni who has worked in the public and private sectors. He is a Fulbright scholar that teaches law at the Agostinho Neto University. As a legal counsel for a Fortune 500 company in Angola, he gained the respect of his colleagues who see him as a global shaper in the oil and gas sector.
Areas of Expertise
Energy and Natural Resources
Employment and Immigration
Joint Ventures
Risk Management and Compliance
Corporate & Commercial
Government Relations
Experience
▪︎ Legal Counsel, Schlumberger (Angola)
▪︎ Head of Legal, Angola LNG
Education
▪︎ Diploma in Global Business, Oxford University
▪︎ Executive Education, Harvard University
▪︎ LLB, Western Michigan University
Membership
▪︎ Attorney-At-Law, Angolan Bar Association
Languages
English and Portuguese
Olan R. Yekinni Adebayo
Senior Consultant
Olan has been a member of the Madrid Bar Association since 2009. With ten years of solid experience, both in the field of legal consultancy, in the areas of commercial and banking law, and in the field of civil procedural law, managing a portfolio of mortgages, bankruptcy proceedings and judicial proceedings of various kinds, as well as marketing debt and negotiating judicial and extrajudicial agreements. Olan has provided services to major Spanish banking institutions and international investment funds. He also has various years of experience handling labour, and criminal law matters.
Experience
▪︎ Loan Manager, Solvia Inmobiliaria
▪︎ Corporate Lawyer & Senior Loan Manager, Copernicus
Education
▪︎ Law Degree – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
▪︎ Real Estate Expert Course – Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.
▪︎ Bankruptcy Monographic Course – Centro de Estudios Financieros (Madrid).
Education
▪︎ Law Degree – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
▪︎ Real Estate Expert Course – Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.
▪︎ Bankruptcy Monographic Course – Centro de Estudios Financieros (Madrid).
Languages
Spanish and English
Susana Mokuy Nsue
Consultant
Susana is a dynamic and proactive Equatoguinean lawyer. Self-motivated, determined and works with a high level of autonomy, she is advising clients on compliance with local regulations and applicable legal requirements. Our favourite fact about her is that she worked as a clown of an animation group at university!
Areas of Expertise
Litigation
Aviation
NGOs
Employment
Corporate and Commercial
Local Content
Corporate Social Responsibility
Experience
▪︎ Consultant, Clarence Abogados & Asociados
▪︎ Intern, Ernst & Young Guinea
▪︎ Intern, Noble Energy – Social Projects Department
Education
▪︎ LLB, National University of Equatorial Guinea
Membership
▪︎ Member, Equatorial Guinean Bar Association
Languages
Spanish
Isabel Obono
Consultant
Isabel is a driven young lawyer who is passionate about reaching the depth of knowledge. Having studied law in Malaysia and at the University of the West of England has given her great understanding of law and people in different settings. She returned to EG with a LLM in International Economic Law, Justice and Development and is currently finalising a MA in legal practice.
Areas of Expertise
Aviation
Employment
Corporate and Commercial
Development within Financial Institutions
Experience
▪︎ Consultant, Clarence Abogados & Asociados
▪︎ Legal Advisor, General Directorate of International Economic and Financial Organizations of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning
▪︎ Legal Advisor, Ceiba Intercontinental
▪︎ Intern, Geproyectos Legal Department
Education
▪︎ LLB, University of the West of England (UWE)
▪︎ LLM International Economic Law, Justice and Development, Birkbeck, University of London
▪︎ Masters in Legal Practice, T&E Law and Business School Equatorial Guinea (ongoing)
Membership
▪︎ Member, Equatorial Guinean Bar Association
Languages
English and Spanish
Diosdado Sisa Becoba
Legal Intern
Diosdado is a bilingual lawyer who holds a LLM from the Ecole Superieure Privee des Etudes Juridiques et Economiques, Morocco. Diosdado is a good team player and has good knowledge in Commercial Law. He has the ability to maintain a good relationship with clients and is a huge football fan.
Areas of Expertise
Labour law
Private International Law
OHADA Commercial Law
Contract Law
Experience
▪︎ Regional Coordinator of the Equatorial Guinea Students in Mohammedia, Morroco
Education
Languages
Jose Daniel Mbele
Counsel
Jose Daniel is a member of the Equatorial Guinean Bar Association. His experience is wide and far reaching, having supported clients operating in the sports, banking, telecom and oil and gas sectors. He is an accomplished litigator and has in depth knowledge and understanding of the
Equatorial Guinean judicial system.
Areas of Expertise
Civil law
Criminal law
Labour Law
Private Law
Contract Law
Experience
▪︎ Counsel, Equatoguinean Football Federation (FEGUIFUT)
▪︎ Contracts Advisor, GEPquimicos
▪︎ Counsel, Canales Cachu y Hermanos
Education
▪︎ LLB, National University of Equatorial Guinea
Languages
Spanish & English
Support Team
Enrique Miko Ndong
Visa and Admin Assistant
Enrique is a recent graduate in Economy and International Commerce and deals mainly in visa and immigration matters. He works well as part of a team, bringing positivity to the fore. He studied in China, so he has good command of Mandarin.
Areas of Expertise
Visas and Documentation
Experience
▪︎ Visa and Admin Assistant, Clarence Abogados
Education
▪︎ BSc, Economy and International Commerce, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
Languages
Spanish, Mandarin and English
Odalis Sulu Mpesa
Office & Admin Support
Areas of Expertise
Time Management
Organization
Adept in Technology
Experience
▪︎ Office & Admin Support at Clarence Abogados & Asociados
▪︎ Receptionist, Hotel Anda China
▪︎ Facilitator, Momo Communications
▪︎ Administrative Assistant at Mareco Atlantic
Education
▪︎ BA, Business Administration Institut Universitaire du Golf de Guinee, Cameroon
▪︎ Diploma in Computerised Accounting
▪︎ Courses in Entrepreneurship and Communications
Languages
Spanish, English and French
Paolo Epoh Kosso
Business and Payroll Analyst
Paolo is a dedicated financial professional with 5 years of working experience in financial analysis, payroll, accounting and data reporting in business, finance, and tax-related services sectors. Paolo is skilled in accounting, labour, and tax laws in the CEMAC region.
Areas of Expertise
Financial Modelling, Analysis, and Reporting
OHADA Accounting Systems
Operations Management
Experience
▪︎ Business and Payroll Analyst, Bioko Accountancy and Advisory
▪︎ Payroll Admin including Tax declarations, LAM Consulting ltd
▪︎ Finance and Tax Officer, PCSS
▪︎ Accounting and Tax Intern, National Board of Cocoa and Coffee
Education
▪︎ ACCA student (skills level)
▪︎ Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Higher Institute of Commerce and Management of Cameroon
▪︎ Certificate in Financial Modelling foundations, National Association of State Boards of Accounting (NASBA, U.S.A)
▪︎ Certificate in Managerial Economics, Project management Institute USA
▪︎ Certificate in Economic Analysis and data Analytics, Project management Institute USA
▪︎ Certificate in Corporate Financial statement Analysis (Linkedin learning, Sunnyvale USA)
▪︎ Certificate in Analysing and Visualising cash flows, Project Management Institution, USA
▪︎ Diploma in Project management, Alison Online Institute
▪︎ Diploma in ISO Management system Audit Techniques, Alison online Institute
▪︎ Certificate in reading Financial Statements, Corporate Finance Institute UK
▪︎ Diploma in Human Resource Management, Alison Online Institute
▪︎ Diploma in Project Management, Alison Online Institute
Languages
English and French
Karashan Chaudhary
Web designer & support
Karashan is an accomplished web designer with a passion and focus to create a modern digital experience. He enjoys experimenting with new digital tools, troubleshooting complications and maintaining websites to keep up to date with the latest technology.
Areas of Expertise
Wordpress
Automaions
Web Security
Experience
Education
▪︎ Courses in Web Design and Development
Languages
Mari Carmen Andeme Esono Maye
Admin & Office Support Intern
Mari Carmen Andeme is a final year student in administrative logistics and International Trade.
She is a dynamic, innovative, and loyal individual who believes in teamwork. She also has almost five years of experience as a hairdresser and makeup artist, and she is always ready and willing to learn and extend her knowledge.
She has also worked as a coordinator, decorator and entertainer for events and private parties for five years.
Areas of Expertise
International Trade
Events co-ordinator
Computer skills including use of Power-Point and Excel.
Public speaking
Teamwork and leadership
Education
▪︎ English programme, ELA Excellence Language Academy, Ghana
Languages
Rosa Oyana Ndjambo Obono
Admin & Logistics Support
Rosa enjoys working as part of a team and has the capacity to build and maintain good relationships with companies.
Areas of Expertise
Marine Insurance
Managing Competitive and Business Environments
Stress and Time Management
Education
▪︎ Bachelor of Technology Degree in Human Resource Management, University College of Technology of Buea, Cameroon
▪︎ Certificate in English program at Multilingual International Centre
Languages
Spanish and English