We take pride in our accomplished team of legal experts. With a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and client-focused service, we stand ready to address your legal needs. Get to know our team below:
Senior Partner
Experience: International law, International Trade Law, Commercial law, Corporate, Human Rights, Law and Development, Properties
Abdul Tejan-Cole is a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone and the Director of Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). He was the Commissioner of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) Degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, a Master of Laws from University College London and a post-graduate diploma in International Trade Law from the University Institute of European Studies.
He was a Human Rights Teaching Fellow at Columbia University in New York and a Yale World Fellow. He worked as a trial attorney and appellate counsel in the Special Court for Sierra Leone and taught law at the University of Sierra Leone. He was the Deputy Director at the International Center for Transitional Justice’s (ICTJ) Cape Town Office and worked as Adviser and Component Manager Law Justice and Human Rights - Justice Sector Development Programme.
He served as Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, and later as Vice President and then as President. He was Board Chair of OSIWA (2002–07) and is currently Chair of West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) and a board member of the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), Timap for Justice, and West Africa Civil Society Institute. He was awarded the 2001 Human Rights Watch award.
Head of Chambers & Managing Partner
Ibrahim Sorie Yillah is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone. Ibrahim has practiced law locally and internationally. Ibrahim was admitted to the Sierra Leone Bar in 1998. As a Barrister in Sierra Leone, he has appeared before all courts in Sierra Leone namely; the Magistrate’s Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
At the international level, Ibrahim has served as Associate Counsel in the Principal Defender’s Office at the then Special Court for Sierra Leone, Co-Counsel at that same court and later served as Associate and Trial Lawyer in the Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court in The Hague from 2005-2011. Ibrahim also served as Defence Counsel at the International Criminal Court in the Darfur cases. Ibrahim was elected by his peers to the Executive Council of the International Criminal Court Bar Association in 2020.
Ibrahim currently serves as the Principal Defender, Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, a position he has held since 2015. In this capacity, Ibrahim represents together with pro bono Counsel all convicts of the Special Court for Sierra Leone currently serving imprisonment in Rwanda and in the United Kingdom. Ibrahim has also worked on human rights matters including but not limited to assisting AIDS Free World in requesting the prosecution of former President of The Gambia, Yayah Jammeh and is currently working with other counsel on redress for victims who suffered human rights violations/abuses in the hands of foreign troops in Sierra Leone during the civil war in his country.
Ibrahim brings to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, years of experience in the field of international criminal law especially with his work in both the prosecution and defence and looks forward to working with other board members to fulfill one of the mandates of the Rome Statute system, perhaps the most important aspect of the Rome Statute System, namely; the reparation of victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Associate Partner
Janisa is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone, who joined Tejan-Cole Yillah and Partners in 2019 and has since been a key member of the firm. She has a wide range of experience in commercial and civil litigation, custody matters, family law, and the reviewing of international agreements.
She has previously worked extensively on banking law and has experience in drafting and reviewing commercial facility agreements, mining litigation, adoption, and more.
Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in Gender, Globalization, and Rights at the University of Galway in Ireland.
Janisa holds various diplomas and certificates from internationally acclaimed institutions like the Syracuse Institute of Human Rights and Criminal Justice in Italy and Negotiating World Bank Instruments, a course organised by the Legal Department of the World Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and obtained her Bar License from the Council of Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School.
Associate
Mohamed Hassan Bangura is a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone. Mohamed obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB Honours) Degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He holds a Barrister-at-Law Certificate from Sierra Leone Law School, which qualifies him to practice law as a legal practitioner in Sierra Leone. Mohamed has displayed exceptional dedication and passion for his field, he actively contributes to various research projects in areas of environmental law, energy law, shipping and maritime law, etc., and he plays a pivotal role in the review and analysis of contractual agreements, drafting legal opinions, engaging in legal research, to name but a few.
As a young legal practitioner, Mohamed has collaborated with senior colleagues on numerous Power Purchase Finance Agreements involving prominent private energy sector companies. This showcased Mohamed's ability to navigate complex legal landscapes and his aptitude to negotiate favourable outcomes for his clients. With a strong commitment to providing exceptional legal services, Mohamed's extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of criminal & civil law, cooperate & commercial law, energy & environmental law, shipping & maritime law, domestic & family law, etc., make him a valuable asset in any legal setting he finds himself. His unwavering dedication to his craft and his sharp analytical skills set him apart as a Barrister & Solicitor who consistently delivers outstanding results for his clients. Mohamed has made series of appearances in the Magistrate Court and the High Court, representing private citizens as well as corporate entities in both civil and criminal proceedings.
Associate
Monfred is an Associate at the law firm of Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners, who holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with Honours from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and Utter Barrister Certificate from the Council of Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School. He has worked with the firm in different capacities starting as a Pupil Barrister to a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone. He is knowledgeable in most works undertaken by the firm of Tejan-Cole, Yillah, & Partners, including but not limited to; drafting numerous legal papers for initiating legal and criminal proceedings; writing agreements and contracts for corporate clients and retained clients; interpreting statutory instruments and other delegated regulatory laws; taking directives and offering legal counsel, including but not limited to letters before taking action; Legal action, etc.
He has also worked as an intern at the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, the Court of Appeal of Sierra Leone to be precise where he helped in researching for Judges and even worked as a Legal Assistant for Justice Reginald Fynn (Justice of the Court of Appeal, who also happens to be the President of the Court of Appeal). During his time at the Judiciary, Mr. Sesay was exposed to attending several conferences and trainings where he sometimes performed the role of a Rapporteur, inter alia.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Edith is a trainee Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone who joined Tejan-Cole, Yillah & Partners in November 2013 initially as a Company Secretary/Corporate Compliance Administrator and served as Company Secretary in numerous Boards in the Banking and Finance, Insurance, Reinsurance, Mining, Oil and Gas, Hospitality, Telecommunications, and Education sectors.
She is bilingual and is fluent in both French and English. She has travelled extensively within the sub-region to arrange and attend Board Meetings. She has also worked on a number of legal issues namely: Provision of Legal advice to clients, drafting of briefs, Drafting and reviewing Contracts Agreements, Provision of Legal advice on both Criminal and civil matters, Family Law, Legal Research, Opinion Writing, Corporate and Trademark Searches & Registration, Registration and Incorporation of companies/branches, Due Diligences, Compliance, Dispute Resolution, Management of Personnel and Resources, Conducting Interviews and Negotiations, among others.
Edith has fifteen (15) years of experience in Corporate Governance and Compliance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Laws Degree with Honours (LLB Hons) from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and a Utter Barrister of Law Certificate (BL) from The Council of Legal Education, Sierra Law School.
Edith has a profound interest in other related areas of law including but not limited to International Commercial Law, Arbitration, Dispute Resolutions, Corporate and Compliance, Real Estate, Probates, Labour/Employment Law, and Intellectual Property Law.
Barrister & Solicitor
UMU NYALAY GBAPPY is a trainee Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone who joined Tejan-Cole, Yillah & Partners in February 2023. During her term at the firm, she has worked on a number of legal issues namely the Provision of Legal advice to clients, drafting of briefs, Drafting and reviewing Contracts Agreements, Provision of Legal advice on both Criminal and civil matters, Family Law, Legal Research, Opinion Writing, Corporate and Trademark Searches & Registrations, Compliance, Dispute Resolution, Management of Personnel and Resources, Conducting Interviews and Negotiations among others.
Before joining the firm, she was a Hub-Based Specialist and Project Coordinator respectively of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA). Umu had extensive knowledge both in the Public and private sectors before joining the firm. She also has knowledge in migration issues, social and behavioural change, capacity building, conduction of public information, and awareness raising on migration issues.
Umu holds a number of diplomas and certificates from national and international Human Capacity Building from Kolar District India, Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons, Training on Border Security and Management- ECOWAS SPAIN FUND, Training on Financial Management and Procurement- World Bank/GOSL, Disaster Risk Management- MSWGA & ONS-Freetown, Meux EU training on Migration Policy- EU, Utter Barrister of Law Certificate (BL) from The Council of Legal Education, The Sierra Law School, LLB Honours Degree, Bachelor of Arts Degree, and a Masters in Arts Degree from Fourah Bay College and Njala University respectively.
Umu has a keen interest in other related areas of law including but not limited to Gender law, Arbitration, Dispute Resolutions, Compliance, Real Estate, Family Law and probate, Maritime law, Corporate and Trademark Searches and registrations, Telecommunications and Cyber Law.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
James is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor who joined Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners Law Firm in 2022 having been called to the Sierra Leone Bar in the same year. He holds a Barrister at Law License from the Sierra Leone Law School and an LLB degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
He holds a certificate in Human Rights and Development from Washington College of Law, American University, USA, and a certificate in Public Relations and Management from the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA), United Kingdom. James has served in The Hague, in The Netherlands, for five years as a Legal Assistant to the Defence Team of Charles Ghankay Taylor, former Liberian President.
He also served as Communication Officer at the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) and later as Assistant Director of Communications at the Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPASL).
James also served as Defence Associate Legal Officer at the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone where he undertook a series of research activities in International criminal law and the criminal justice system in Sierra Leone.
As a Trainee Barrister at Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners, he is mostly involved in civil litigation matters ranging from property law, and contract law, to corporate law and industrial matters. He also works on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) matters and matters relating to Environmental Law. James is a researcher in International Humanitarian law as well as International Human Rights law.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Adedoyin is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor in the firm of Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners and joined the firm in 2023. He holds the prestigious Master of Laws (LL. M) in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa, from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and his Bar License from the Council of Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School. Adedoyin also holds a postgraduate certificate in International Criminal Law (jointly awarded by the International Bar Association and Florida State University). He is one of the few individuals in the African Continent who has completed all of the thirteen (13) Specialised Advanced Human Rights Courses organised by the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria.
Adedoyin was awarded the Honourable Justice H. M. Joko-Smart Prize for the Best Performance in the Law of Contract during the 2023 Call to the Bar Ceremony of The Sierra Leone Law School, Council of Legal Education, and he was an Awardee of the notable Adam Timbo Leadership Foundation Scholarship at the Sierra Leone Law School for the year 2022/2023. He was also the overall Best Student in International Criminal Law at the Sierra Leone Law School for the year 2022/2023.
He is an expert in International Human Rights Law, International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, and other areas of Public International Law. Adedoyin, in his domestic practice in Sierra Leone, has been working on conveyancing and the law of real property, company law, preparing multi-jurisdictional finance agreements, environmental law, privacy and data protection, and other areas of general legal practice.
He also gives guest lectures from time to time at the Faculty of Law of the University of Sierra Leone on thematic areas of International Criminal Law and International Human Rights Law and has published a plethora of journal articles on Sierra Leonean Law, African Human Rights Systems, and the laws of war (not limited to International Criminal Justice, among others).
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Mamoud is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor at Law, who joined Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners Law Firm in 2023. He completed his studies for his Bar License from the Sierra Leone Law School and holds an LLB degree with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Honours) Degree both from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
He holds several certificates namely in international Refugee law from the Institute of Humanitarian Law, Business and Human Rights Course Certificate from the Global Campus of Human Rights, International Criminal Law Certificate from Case Western Reserve University, Sustainable Development, and the Law from the University of Cambridge.
Mamoud has served as the Publicity Secretary and Director of Communications for the Aureol Journal of Law and Public Policy, and as the Legal and Communications Director for Allies in Development, a not-for-profit organisation advocating for the prevention of Sexual and Gender-based violence against women and girls where he provided legal advice and communications expertise.
During his time at Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners, he has undertaken a manifold of legal tasks such as drafting and reviewing international commercial facility agreements, reviewing banking and finance agreements, and drafting legal papers, opinions, and multilateral financial Agreements.
Additionally, he has also worked on matters pertaining to Employment Law, and Energy Law including but not limited to the preparation of submission of proposals with external partners as a bid for a World Bank energy project in Sierra Leone. Mamoud has also worked on corporate law briefs such as initiating and processing the incorporation of companies, transfer of shares, and undertaking of due diligence on companies in Sierra Leone. He has an avid interest in Civil and Criminal procedures, international law, International Humanitarian Law, Energy Law, Adoption and custody matters, Environmental law, Admiralty law, Arbitration, Criminal law, Company law, Human Rights Law, Competition Law, Intellectual Property Law, Entertainment/Media Law, Sports Law, Refugee Law, the Law of tort, Maritime law, and Medical Law.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Ibrahim is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor at Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners Law Firm. He holds an LLB Honours Degree from the University of Makeni and completed his studies for his Bar License (BL) from the Council of Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School.
Ibrahim has a keen interest in litigation and he is the former National Intercollegiate Debate Champion.
During his time at Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners, he has worked on drafting and reviewing international commercial facility agreements, reviewing banking and finance agreements, and drafting legal papers, opinions, and multilateral financial Agreements.
Additionally, he has also worked on cases on admiralty law, Employment Law, Energy Law, Company law (including incorporation of a company, transfer of shares, and undertaking due diligence on companies in Sierra Leone), the preparation and submission of proposals with external partners as bids for World Bank Energy Projects in Sierra Leone.
Ibrahim is enthusiastic in other related areas of law including but not limited to Criminal law and procedures, International criminal law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Medical Law, Shipping and Maritime Law, Energy Law, Intellectual Property Law, Competition Law, General civil practice, Real Estate and Conveyancing, Entertainment and Media Law, Sports law and general legal practice.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Mohamed is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor in the firm of Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners. He joined the Firm in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) Degree from Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, and also completed his studies for his Bar License (BL) from the Council for Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School.
During his LLB, he offered Energy (petroleum) and Natural Resource Law among other areas of law as his focus areas of studies in which he excelled. He was also awarded the best law student at the Student Representative Council’s Excellence Awards 2022. He has consistently demonstrated a passion for law and a strong aptitude for legal research and analysis which has equipped him with a solid foundation in various areas of law. Mohamed is result-oriented, a team player, and works diligently to ensure the best possible services and solutions for Client Satisfaction.
During his time at Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners, he has undertaken diverse legal tasks such as drafting and reviewing international commercial facility agreements, banking and finance agreements, and reviewing securities for loan agreements. He has also assisted in the development and drafting of legal opinions, multi-jurisdictional financial Agreements, and multi-jurisdictional Energy agreements.
Additionally, he has also worked on matters pertaining to Employment Law, Energy Law including but not limited to the preparation of submission of proposals with external partners as a bid for a World Bank energy project in Sierra Leone. Mohamed has also worked on Adoption and corporate law issues namely, the incorporation of a company, transfer of shares, and undertaking due diligence on companies in Sierra Leone. He has an avid interest in Civil and Criminal law and procedures, international law, Real Estate and conveyancing, International Humanitarian Law, Energy Law, Adoption and custody matters, Environmental law, Admiralty and maritime law, Arbitration, Company law, Human Rights Law, Technology law, Intellectual Property Law, Entertainment/Media Law, Sports Law, Refugee Law, the Law of tort, Medical Law and other areas of General legal practice.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Mousa is a trainee Barrister and Solicitor who joined the law firm of Tejan-Cole, Yillah & Partners in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
During his time at Tejan-Cole, Yillah & Partners, he has undertaken legal tasks, such as reviewing banking and finance agreements, drafting legal papers, opinions, and multilateral financial agreements, and drafting and reviewing international commercial facility agreements.
In addition, he has also worked on matters pertaining to employment law and energy law including but not limited to the preparation of submission of proposals with external partners as a bid for a World Bank energy project in Sierra Leone. Mousa has also worked on corporate law issues, namely; the transfer of shares, the incorporation of a company, and taking due diligence on companies in Sierra Leone. He has an interest in energy law, international law, civil and criminal procedures, arbitration law, adoption and custody matters, international humanitarian law, environmental law, company law, Maritime law, commercial law, human rights law, and intellectual property law.
Mousa has also served as a Data Entry Clerk at the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), an Office under the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in which his scope of work included but was not limited to report writing and taking of minutes during meetings. He assisted in coordinating and formulating government policies among justice institutions including the Sierra Leone Correctional Services, the Independent Police Complaint Board, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, and The Sierra Leone Police.
While he pursued his LLB, he also interned at the Court of Appeal, where he was exposed to research and worked directly under the supervision of the Honourable Justice Reginald S. Fynn and the Honourable Justice Monfred M. Sesay who happened to be the President and Vice President of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Sierra Leone, respectively.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Isatou is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor who recently joined Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners Law Firm in 2023. She brings a wealth of legal expertise to her role, having successfully completed her studies for her Bar License from the Council of Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School, and bagged an LLB Honours Degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
She also completed a rewarding legal internship at the Legal Aid Board of Sierra Leone, where she developed a strong dedication to providing invaluable legal assistance to those in need.
In her role at Tejan-Cole, Yillah, and Partners, Isatou has undertaken a wide range of legal tasks, showcasing her versatility and proficiency in the field. Her responsibilities include drafting and reviewing international commercial facility agreements, reviewing banking and finance agreements, and preparing legal papers, opinions, and multilateral financial agreements.
Furthermore, Isatou has demonstrated her interest in various legal domains, including Employment Law, Energy Law, and corporate law matters. She has actively participated in significant projects, such as preparing submissions and proposals for a World Bank energy project in Sierra Leone. Isatou has also handled corporate law issues, including company incorporation, share transfers, and due diligence on companies in Sierra Leone.
Isatou's passion for the law extends to a diverse array of legal areas, encompassing Civil and Criminal procedures, International Law, International Human Rights Law, Energy Law, Adoption and Custody matters, Environmental Law, Admiralty Law, Arbitration, Criminal Law, Company Law, Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property Law, Entertainment/Media Law, the Law of Tort, Maritime and shipping law.
Trainee Barrister & Solicitor
Ronissa Beverley Harleston is a Trainee Barrister and Solicitor in the firm of Tejan-Cole, Yillah and Partners. She joined the Firm in 2023. She holds a Diploma in Law and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) degree from the University of London and also completed her studies for her Bar License (BL) from the Council for Legal Education, Sierra Leone Law School.
During her LLB, She worked as a Legal Intern at Yada Williams & Associates.
During her time at Tejan-Cole, Yillah and Partners, she has undertaken a manifold of legal tasks such as drafting and reviewing international commercial facility agreements, banking and finance agreements, and reviewing securities for loan agreements. She has also assisted in the development and drafting of legal opinions, multi-jurisdictional financial Agreements and multi-jurisdictional Energy agreements.
Additionally, she has also worked on matters pertaining to Employment Law, Energy Law including but not limited to the preparation of submission of proposals with external partners as a bid for a World Bank energy project in Sierra Leone. Ronissa has also worked on Adoption and corporate law issues namely, the incorporation of a company, transfer of shares and undertaking due diligence on companies in Sierra Leone.
She has a keen interest in various legal domains including Civil and Criminal law and procedures, International law, Real Estate and conveyancing, International Humanitarian Law, Energy Law, Adoption and custody matters, Environmental law, Admiralty and maritime law, Arbitration, Company law, Human Rights Law, Technology law, Intellectual Property Law, Entertainment/Media Law, Sports Law, Refugee Law, the Law of tort, Medical Law and General legal practice.
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