Overview
Lamar Gadzama is a foreign lawyer — in accordance with the provisions of Article 84 of the Decree of Nov. 27, 1991 — in the Paul Hastings International Arbitration practice in Paris.
His practice focuses on international commercial arbitration, investor-state disputes and cross-border advisory work. He advises states, state-owned entities and private clients on complex, high-value matters, drawing on experience across both contentious and transactional mandates.
Before joining Paul Hastings, Lamar gained substantial dispute-resolution experience in leading international and Nigerian law firms, working on significant commercial and public-law disputes.
He is a member of the Governing Council of the Janada International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (JICAM). He previously served as Nigeria’s representative to the International Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee, deputy general manager of JICAM and legal adviser to the NBA Abuja Branch Young Lawyers Forum.
Lamar is actively engaged in pro-bono work and remains committed to expanding access to justice within the communities he serves.
Education
- University of Reading, LL.B.
- Nigerian Law School, B.L.
- Queen Mary University of London, LL.M.
Representations
- A European subcontractor in a dispute against the main EPC contractor in relation to a refinery project in France.
- Nigeria in an ICSID arbitration brought by Jupiter Lithium Ltd and four of its subsidiaries under the UK-Nigeria BIT in relation to investments in Nigeria’s minerals sector.
- A Southern African company in an ICC arbitration arising from the construction of a power plant.
- Nigeria in an ICSID arbitration brought by the Korea National Oil Company and two of its Nigerian subsidiaries under the Korea-Nigeria BIT in relation to investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
- An African country in an LCIA arbitration arising from the privatization of an aluminum smelter company.
- An African country in connection with enforcement proceedings against its assets in France.
- A West African country in an ICC arbitration arising out of the construction of a large-scale hydroelectric power project.
- A Nigerian security agency in a multibillion-naira domestic arbitration involving complex contractual issues.
- A Nigerian security agency in set-aside proceedings before the Nigerian Court of Appeal.
- An investor in a high-value dispute worth over US$15 billion before the Nigerian Supreme Court.
*Matters may have been completed prior to joining Paul Hastings
Engagement & Publications
- “Beyond the Court Room: Navigating your Success and Innovation in Law,” J-K Gadzama LLP 9th Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa JSC Mentoring Programme, 2024, Abuja
- “Practical Steps on Breaking into the Arbitration Industry and Must-Know Provisions in the Arbitration and Mediation Act,” Young Lawyers Forum of the NBA-Abuja Branch, 2024, Abuja.
- “The Young Lawyers' Road Map: Navigating New Beginnings, Transitions and Growth,” Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, 2023, Abuja