JOËL SANON
Admitted to the Paris Bar
Admitted to Paris Bar
Consultant within Thiam & Associés, Joël focuses his practice on corporate transactions (mergers & acquisitions, share capital increase, JVs, securities), energy, mining and infrastructure projects, real estate and commercial contracts, as well as related-dispute resolution, mainly in the OHADA zone. He has also developed capabilities in debt capital markets (bond issuance, commercial papers, etc.).
Not only he assists his clients in Guinea, Burkina Faso, but also all over the OHADA area and internationally. Joel advises a wide range of clients, including local entrepreneurs, African and global companies, as well as state-owned entities and financial institutions highly active in Africa.
Joël has gained valuable work experience in the Paris office of the world leading provider of corporate governance and responsible investment solutions (ISS Governance), in the debt capital market legal department of HSBC France, in the Project Development & Finance and Africa departments of Shearman & Sterling, where he notably worked on high profile mining projects, including the development of the US$330 million Sabodala Gold Project in Senegal by Teranga Gold Corporation, the USD 5 billion plus Mbalam/Nabeba iron ore mine rail and port integrated project in Cameroon and Congo, or the review of the proposed amendments of the Ivorian mining code on behalf of GPMCI (Groupement Professionnel des Miniers de Côte d’Ivoire).
He has also advised African entrepreneurs in relation to their fundraising and operations in West Africa.
He is a French Qualified Lawyer, graduated from University Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, Paris School of Business and HEDAC/Versailles Bar School.
Joël works both in French and English.
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Since I had no lawyer in my family circle being younger, it is with a certain apprehension that I began my law studies. I have no regret today because beyond the stimulating technical aspects, it offers me the opportunity to go alongside and to weave very strong human’s links with diverse and great people quite actors at their level of the transformation that Africa is witnessing nowadays.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
A big fan of sports (Football, Basketball, Athletics and Tennis), I do not exclude the possibility to be one day an owner of a big sports structure to allow the young people (and less young) to devote to a regular practice in a convenient environment. I also like traveling and enjoy some simple pleasures such as sharing good meals in family or with friends.