The BMG Legal Expert Desk is a new member benefit created through a strategic partnership between the BMG and The Penthouse Solicitors, a boutique and business-focused law firm in Lagos, Nigeria.
The purpose of the Legal Expert Desk is simple: to make it easier for BMG Academy members to get early, practical, and professional legal guidance when they face business-related legal questions or concerns.
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs wait until a legal problem becomes serious before speaking to a lawyer.
The BMG Legal Expert Desk is designed to help our members identify legal risks earlier and understand what they should do next.
The Penthouse Solicitors is the BMG's designated legal services partner for the Legal Expert Desk.
What Can BMG Members Access?
a) Free One-on-One Legal Advisory Sessions
Eligible BMG Academy members can access free, private, and confidential Legal Advisory Sessions with a lawyer from The Penthouse Solicitors.
Each free session:
- Is available once per quarter (every 90 days), per member.
- Can last between 30 minutes and one hour.
- Is an audio or video call that is conducted virtually (on Zoom, Google Meet, or WhatsApp).
- Provides preliminary legal guidance on a business-related issue.
- Helps the member understand the issue, identify potential risks, and determine appropriate next steps.
For example, you may use a session to discuss:
- A contract or agreement you are about to sign.
- A disagreement with a customer, supplier, employee, or business partner.
- A regulatory or compliance concern.
- A business structure or governance issue.
- A business-related legal risk you have identified.
- Whether you need formal legal assistance.
b) Professional Legal Services
Sometimes, the free 60-minute advisory session may not be enough for your needs.
Where you require more extensive legal work, you may engage The Penthouse Solicitors directly under a separate professional engagement.
This may include services such as:
- Contract drafting or review
- Legal opinions
- Business registration (CAC) and corporate secretarial services
- Regulatory filings
- Corporate restructuring
- Due diligence
- Litigation
- Dispute resolution
- Representation before courts, tribunals or regulatory agencies
- Statutory registrations, permits and licences
These services are not included in the Legal Advisory Sessions and will be subject to a separate engagement and fee.
Note: As part of the partnership, eligible BMG members receive a 10% discount on The Penthouse Solicitors' standard professional fees, subject to the terms of the partnership.
Who Can Use the Legal Expert Desk?
The Legal Expert Desk is an exclusive benefit for BMG Academy members who are above the Golden Line.
To qualify, you must:
- Have been a member of the BMG Academy for at least three months; and
- Have maintained an unbroken active membership subscription in the last three months.
This eligibility requirement ensures that the Legal Expert Desk remains a meaningful benefit for only committed BMG members.
How to Use the Legal Expert Desk
Using the Legal Expert Desk is straightforward, as follows:
STEP 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before requesting a session, confirm that you have been an active BMG Academy member for the last three months without a break in your subscription.
If you're not sure, send us a DM on WhatsApp here to confirm.
STEP 2: Send A Request
Send us a request on WhatsApp that you're interested in booking a session with the Legal Expert Desk.
Click here to send us a DM on WhatsApp.
STEP 3: Complete the Booking Form
After receiving your request, we will send you the link to complete the BMG Legal Expert Desk booking form.
The form will ask for basic information about you, your business, and a brief description of the legal issue you would like to discuss.
This information will help The Penthouse Solicitors understand the general nature of the matter before the session.
STEP 4: Wait for Confirmation
We will review and coordinate your booking with The Penthouse Solicitors.
Once your session is confirmed, you will receive the relevant appointment details.
This should take less than 24 hours.
STEP 5: Prepare for Your Session
Please come prepared with a clear explanation of the issue you want to discuss with the lawyer.
Where relevant, have supporting documents available for reference.
STEP 6: Decide on Your Next Step
At the end of the session, the lawyer may recommend that you:
- Take action yourself based on the guidance provided;
- Gather additional information;
- Monitor the situation; or
- Engage The Penthouse Solicitors for a separate professional legal engagement.
Note: You are not required to engage The Penthouse Solicitors for additional legal services. The choice is entirely up to you.
Important Things to Know
Your legal advice comes from The Penthouse Solicitors
The Penthouse Solicitors operates independently and is responsible for the legal advice it provides. The BMG does not direct or influence the substance of legal advice provided during a session.
Your confidentiality matters
Your session with the Legal Expert Desk is 100% private and confidential. Any legal advice provided to you belongs to you as the member/client.
Information shared with the BMG for programme administration will not include privileged advice or confidential information.
Advisory sessions are not formal legal engagements
The purpose of a session with the Legal Expert Desk is to help you understand a legal issue and determine what to do next.
If your matter requires detailed legal work, a separate engagement with The Penthouse Solicitors will be required.
Ready to Use the Legal Expert Desk?
If you are above the Golden Line and need preliminary guidance on a business-related legal issue:
If you have questions about your BMG membership eligibility or the booking process, click here to send us a DM on WhatsApp.
We look forward to facilitating your first or next session with the Legal Expert Desk.
You're welcome.
Member Experience Team
The BMG Academy