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Walter was called to the Bar in 2007 after his undergraduate studies in Law. He obtained a Second Class First Division in both exams.

He has acquired a lot of experience and has shown proficiency since being called to the Bar.He is a seasoned and skilled legal professional

FURTHER/OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

June 2018 – July 2018

Freetown Business School

Fundamentals of the Sierra Leone Tax System. Completed July 2018.

September 2010 – November 2010

International Lawyers for Africa Programme

Received training from leading UK academics, barristers and solicitors, under its Public International Law Programme in aspects such as International Dispute Settlement, Law of the WTO (an overview of substantive law and dispute settlement), International Investment Law (an overview of substantive law and dispute settlement) and the Relationship between International Law and National Law.

Received further training under its Law Firm Programme, in UK Corporation Law and Finance and Drafting and in Project Finance.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone (January 2009 to Date)
Partner, Renner-Thomas Associates (Solicitors and Legal Consultants) (September 2014- Present).
  • Litigation in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Sierra Leone on a wide range of commercial, shipping, property and labour disputes. (Partner in charge of Litigation).
  • Rendering legal services and advice to various commercial banks, companies and businesses within Sierra Leone.
  • Proffering legal opinions and/or advice to foreign and multi-national bodies on a wide variety of legal issues such as mining law, arbitration, maritime law etc.
  • Advising companies/businesses and embassies on employment/labour law in general and disputes that arise therefrom.
  • Supervising debt collection for numerous commercial banks.
  • Property management.
  • Liquidation and Insolvency.
  • Due diligence on local companies for foreign investors.
  • Alternate Dispute Resolution

 

Associate, Renner-Thomas & Co. (Solicitors and Legal Consultants) (January 2009- August 2014).
  • Litigation in the High Court and Court of Appeal of Sierra Leone on various commercial, property and labour disputes.
  • Rendering legal services and advice to various commercial banks, companies and businesses within Sierra Leone.
  • Advising companies and businesses on employment/labour law in general and disputes that arise therefrom.
  • Alternate Dispute Resolution
  • Due diligence on local companies for foreign investors.
  • Debt collection for numerous commercial banks.
Pupil Barrister, Renner-Thomas & Co. (Solicitors and Legal Consultants)  (November 2007- December 2008).
  • Legal research on a wide variety of general legal issues.
  • Assisting Pupil Master and other Barristers and Solicitors of the firm on diverse matters.
  • Litigation in criminal and civil proceedings in the Magistrate Courts in Freetown.
  • Making Interlocutory Applications in the High Court of Sierra Leone (Post 6 months of pupilage).

 

International Lawyers for Africa Programme (September 2010 – November 2010)

 Seconded to Herbert Smith LLP (Now Herbert Smith Freehills) a leading British Law Firm. Work experience in their Litigation and corporate departments. Practical experience obtained in commercial litigation, drafting of court documents and complex international commercial agreements.

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

Litigation, Commercial Law, Contract review and analysis, Legal Drafting, Company Law, Banking Law, Real Property Law, Employment Law, Tax Law, Legal Research, mediation etc.

I.T. skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Notary Public of the Republic of Sierra Leone January 2021-Present
  • Member – Sierra Leone Bar Association (November 2007- Present)
  • Member Sierra Leone Bar Association Legal War Against Ebola (LeWAE) project. June 2016-2018.
  • Member and supervisor Editorial Board for the Sierra Leone Bar Association/ General Legal Council Law Reports (March 2016-Present).
  • Organising and Social Secretary of the Sierra Leone Bar Association June 2016- July 2018.
  • Member – Social and Activities Committee Sierra Leone Bar Association (June 2014 – Present)
  • Member – Human Rights Committee Sierra Leone Bar Association (June 2009 – June 2011)
OTHER AFFILIATIONS/INTERESTS
  • MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP REPORTING GUIDELINES FOR MEDIA PRACTITIONERS.
  • MENTORING LAW STUDENTS OF FOURAH BAY COLLEGE UNIVERSTY OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE SIERRA LEONE LAW SCHOOL.
  • SERVING ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BOARDS [Limount College and Baana Preparatory School].
  • SERVE ON BOARDS OF CERTAIN CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS [MEPS TRUST (Fight against breast cancer) and MABEL EMILY JOHNSON TRUST (Providing scholarships for under privileged students).
PERSONAL INTERESTS
  • INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS
  • TRAVELLING
  • SPORTS

 Email: wn@rennerthomasassociates.com