Partners

Shaun Ellis

B.Com LL.B (University of Stellenbosch)

Profile Summary:

Shaun joined Ellis & Partners in 2015, after obtaining his BCom (Law) and LLB degrees from Stellenbosch University, and has since gained considerable experience in the fields of M&A, aviation & aircraft financing , mining & energy, downstream petroleum, trusts, procurement, gaming, high profile litigation and competition. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia and a Notary Public.

He is fluent in English, German and Afrikaans and represents an array of prominent local and international clients. He also served as a director on the board of the Namibian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which represents the interests of the general aviation community of Namibia.

Qualifications and career:

2021 - Appointed as Notary Public
2016 – Admitted as legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia
2015 – Director of the Namibian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
2015 – Joined Ellis & Partners
2014 – Post-graduate LL.B degree (Stellenbosch University)
2012 – BCom (Law) degree (Stellenbosch University)

Notable achievements:

Currently acts as external counsel for an active Namibian gold mine, a leading oil company, the largest Namibian aviation group, various Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and one of the largest Namibian fishing companies.
2023 - acted as lead counsel for financiers in aircraft financing transaction valued at USD 12 million.
2022 - acted as local counsel for Canadian gold producer who submitted a bid to purchase an active Namibian gold mine, which included a wide scope due diligence.
2021 - acted as junior counsel to sellers in the sale of one of the largest hotels and conference centres in Namibia, valued in excess of USD 16 million.
2020 - acted as local counsel for financiers in an aircraft financing transaction valued at USD 7.6 million.
2020 - acted as junior counsel for leading foodstuffs supplier in the successful review and setting aside of a public procurement contract valued in excess of NAD 3.5 billion.
2018 - acted as local counsel for a leading vehicle manufacturer in the implementation of its worldwide whistle-blower program.
2018 - acted as junior counsel in merger between two leading Namibian plastic manufacturers.
2017 - acted as junior counsel for seller and purchaser in merger between two prominent Namibian fishing companies.
2017 - acted as lead counsel for FlyNamibia Aviation in acquiring scheduled air services rights in the SADC region, making it the first privately owned Namibian scheduled airline.

Practice Areas

Lease Agreements

A lease agreement (also commonly referred to as a rental agreement), which should preferably be in writing, regulates the relationship between a landlord (as the lessor) and a tenant (as the lessee), in respect of an immovable property and records the rights and obligations of the parties to the agreement.

Public Procurement

Due to the high value contracts on offer by public entities, Public Procurement has become a major discussion point in Namibia.

Liquor Licensing

The sale of liquor in Namibia is prohibited for persons who do not hold an appropriate liquor license.

Gambling, Gaming and Entertainment

Gambling and gambling activities in Namibia are regulated by the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act 13 of 2018 (Gaming Act).

Aviation

Ellis & Partners has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the local and international aviation industry, which includes knowledge of the operational, regulatory, commercial and insurance sectors of this versatile industry.

Mergers & Acquisitions

This is what we do. With a complex understanding of local and international company, close corporation and trust laws, we are capable of advising our clients on the most complex local and international transactions.

Mining and Energy

Not only have we advised clients on the statutory requirements and possibilities within the Mining and Energy Sectors, but through our founder we actively participate in this industry.

Trust Law and Estate Planning

Specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and the establishment of corporate structures suitable to our clients’ needs, we have vast experience in trust law and the application of trusts within corporate structures. Trusts can also be an effective tool in high value estate planning.

Agricultural Land Issues

The transfer of agricultural land in Namibia is governed by the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act No. 6 of 1995.

Commercial Litigation

In light of the fact that our firm deals predominantly with corporate and commercial matters, we represent an array of clients in High Court commercial litigation matters.

Competition Law

Competition law in Namibia goes hand in hand with substantial mergers & acquisitions.

Fishing

Our firm has been involved with the fishing industry for the past 18 years and was responsible as legal resource in a number of mergers and acquisitions, most recently between two of the largest fishing companies in Namibia.

Health

Our firm recently became involved in advising clients on the proposed new health structure for Namibia, which required an extensive knowledge of the current structures and the proposed amendments. This advice is on-going.

Protocol Secretarial

Protocol Secretarial Services (Pty) Ltd (“Protocol”) was established in 2014 in order to serve the ever-growing needs of Ellis & Partners to have shelf companies readily available to its clients. Protocol grew exponentially and is currently the appointed company secretary / accountable officer for 136 Companies and Close Corporations.

Structured Financing

During the 30 years of practice of our founder, he advised regularly on banking and financing structures to commercial banks in Namibia and served on the panel of attorneys of those banks.

Tourism and Hospitality

Since 2014 our firm has been actively involved in advising clients in the tourism and hospitality industry. Our founder was pivotal in the restructuring of Safari Hotels (Pty) Ltd, the largest hotel in Namibia and currently serves as the Chairman of that Board.

Petroleum

The sale of petroleum products in Namibia is regulated by the Petroleum Products and Energy Act 13 of 1990 (read with its regulations).

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