FEMI GBEDE

Olufemi “Femi” Gbede is a Partner at GAB Sterling LLP and a corporate attorney admitted to practice in New York and Nigeria. His practice focuses on investment funds, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, startup advisory, and cross-border transactions.

Femi has extensive experience advising sponsors, asset managers, institutional investors, and other market participants on the formation, structuring, negotiation, and operation of private investment funds and alternative investment vehicles. He has worked with leading international law firms, including Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, A&O Shearman, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, among others and has advised clients such as Goldman Sachs, KKR, Brookfield, Blackstone, Permira, Genstar Capital, HPS, and PSP Investments.

Femi also advises established companies, founders, and investors on business formation, venture financing, governance, commercial agreements, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions. His cross-border practice includes advising foreign companies seeking to enter the United States market, including matters involving corporate structuring, commercial arrangements, regulatory considerations, and the importation and distribution of goods in the United States.

Earlier in his career, Femi practised at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, where he worked on corporate transactions and dispute resolution matters. He has also worked with Sidley Austin LLP’s Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program in advising African businesses.

Femi’s immigration practice supports both businesses and individuals. He advises companies, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and families on employment-based and family-based immigration matters, visa petitions, permanent residence, naturalization, and related compliance issues.

He is a Director and co-founder of the Africa Arbitration Academy and serves as a faculty member of the Investment Arbitration Executive Program, organized by the World Bank and the Africa Arbitration Academy for African government officials and general counsel.

Key areas of practice: Investment Funds, Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Startup and Venture Advisory, Cross-Border Transactions, U.S. Market Entry and Importation Advisory, and Business and Individual Immigration.