Mr Ikemefuna Stephen Nwoye (preferred name 'Stephen')  has in the course of working for top tier corporate/commercial law firms in Nigeria advised and represented a highly diversified clientele of high net worth individuals, private equity firms, top-tier indigenous and multinational companies in several capital markets, corporate mergers and acquisitions and finance transactions arising from various economic sectors such as banking and financial services, energy and natural resources, aviation and maritime, telecommunications, real estate, insurance, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, beverages, and consumer goods, etc. He has carved a niche for himself as having a highly commendable knowledge of structuring complex corporate finance (securities) transactions, the management and resolution of commercial disputes.

He is experienced as an International Finance and Development Banking Practitioner. By virtue of a 2014 New York University (NYU) International Finance and Development (IFD) Fellowship Award, he was an IFD Fellow/WB Temp at the Vice Presidency, Legal Operations Policy Group of the World Bank and subsequently worked as a Consultant for the Office of Ethics and Business Conduct of the World Bank Group.

His dispute resolution experience covers cases at the trial and appellate courts, domestic and international arbitration tribunals and foreign courts (United States of America). He as the Appellant(pro se) successfully briefed, physically argued before a Panel of the 2nd Circuit and unanimously won Appeal No: 22-1253 Ikemefuna Stephen Nwoye v. Barack Hussein Obama and Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama – An appeal filed at the United States of America Courts of Appeal, Second Circuit against the dismissal order of the SDNY on grounds of absolute immunity for official acts in Civil Action No 22 CV 01791 involving claims for breach of legal advisory/consultancy contract, unjust enrichment, intellectual property infringements and quantum meruit. (Second Appeal No: 23-1178) upheld the SDNY decision dismissing the case again on grounds of absolute immunity and statute of limitation. A further appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States of America - Appeal No. 23-1262 via A Petition for a Writ of Certiorari was denied in October 2024 after the Judicial Case Conference).

Mr. Stephen Nwoye has authored and co-authored treatises and scholarly papers on banking & finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, business ethics, international law and dispute resolution (arbitration and litigation). He recently completed the authorship of a new book - "The Dealmaker's Handbook: Legal Perspectives on Corporate and Sovereign Financing in Nigeria"

He graduated top of his class from Enugu State University of Science and Technology as the best graduating student with a Second-Class Upper Division Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) in 2010. He attended the Nigerian Law School the same year, graduating with a Second-Class Upper Division Qualifying Certificate in 2011 and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor. He obtained a Master of Laws degree (LL.M) in International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration (IBRLA) from New York University in 2014, where he studied as a Dean's Scholar and was a Graduate Editor of the NYU Journal of Law and Business. In 2023, he obtained an Exec. Ed Certificate in Business Excellence (CiBE) in Finance and Accounting for the Non-financial Professionals (Online) from Columbia Business School, New York City.  In September 2024, he became FINRA SIE Certified after sitting for and passing the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Securities Industry Essentials Examination (SIE). On 23 January 2025, he became a FINRA Arbitrator after completing his orientation and a very thorough and rigorous application, vetting and selection process. 

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

1. Nigerian Bar Association

2. Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law

3. African Bar Association

4. Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HK45 member)

5. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitrator