Stephen Ziri
I started my career at the Federal Ministry of Justice, then in Lagos, Nigeria as Research Assistant to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice between December 1989 and October 1992. At the Federal Ministry of Justice, I undertook legislative research, drafting and review. I also undertook policy research, formulation and review on diverse issues such as banking, corruption, narcotics, oil and gas, environment and inter governmental relations. I participated in negotiations and arbitrations for the government of Nigeria as well as drafting and reviewing joint venture, and bilateral agreements and contracts.
I was assigned to the Law Revision Committee which had the responsibility to revise all the federal laws of Nigeria. I was made secretary of the Committee in which position I successfully handled the administrative needs and liaison of the committee in addition to undertaking part of the revision exercise. I also carried out all the research needed by the committee. I worked in Portsmouth, England advising the publishers of the twenty-three volume Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and reading proofs.
I went into private law practice in October 1992 when I became managing partner in the law firm of Ziri Yisapati & Co. My main area of practice was commercial and corporate law dealing with formation of companies, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence and statutory compliance. I also handled international trade, project finance, mortgages, negotiations and contracts; in addition to oil and gas at both upstream, midstream and downstream levels. I handled real estate and mining development.
I gained admission into the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy graduate program of the University Of Denver Sturm College Of Law in 2008 where I obtained an LL.M in May 2009 with concentration in Energy Law and Policy.
I was a legal intern in the legal enforcement unit of the Region 8 headquarters of the US EPA in Denver between February and May 2009. At the EPA, I reviewed Environmental Impact Statements for energy projects, reviewed laws and policy on environmental regulation and parameters of enforcement. I also conducted research on superfund sites and brown fields and the culpability of mining corporations thereon. I underwent training on the tools of enforcement and their integrity while at the EPA.
I worked with the International and comparative Law unit of the Westminster Law Library of the University of Denver as Research Assistant between January and June 2009, conducting research on the natural resources, energy and investment laws of all nations especially in the U S, Africa and the Middle East. I also helped to build the Natural Resources Web link of the Library.
I am currently preparing to write the Colorado bar exam in July and also available for employment anywhere in either the energy or oil and gas industries.
Stephen Danjuma Ziri
720-436-7578
sziri11@law.du.edu
