D. Happi Avocats

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D. HAPPI Avocats (DH Avocats) is an independent law firm based in Douala, Cameroon. Founded in 1985 by Mr.
Dieudonné Happi, the firm has become over the years, a renowned firm in the field of business litigation.
In recent years, the firm has grown its advisory and consulting activity, so that its expertise now covers the vast
majority of aspects related to corporate law and OHADA and CEMAC business law. As such, the firm has 3 main
areas of intervention: Litigation, Corporate and Compliance & Customs, Foreign Exchange and Investment.
The Corporate and Compliance Department provides legal advice and assistance on all legal matters affecting
businesses in order to minimize risks, ensure regulatory compliance with laws and regulations in force and ensure
that the client’s interests are at all times secured and protected. Some of the services provided include the
incorporation of companies, structuring of investments and business operations, corporate governance, negotiation
and drafting of legal contracts, risks mitigation, due diligences or legal opinions. The Department also assists foreign
exporters in the protection of their trade operations with local companies as well as investors, in particular, in the
implementation of tax and customs incentives provided for by Cameroonian legislation governing private
investments.
D. HAPPI’s Litigation Department assists the firm’s clients before national courts of law and administrative tribunals,
sub-regional courts (CCJA, CEMAC Court of Justice) and before regulatory authorities (COBAC, ART, COSUMAF,
CRCA, CCC). The department’s expertise includes broad-spectrum litigation, business criminal law, civil and
commercial litigation, administrative litigation, CEMAC litigation and alternative dispute resolution procedures
(conciliation, mediation and arbitration).
To meet the growing demand of the firm’s local and international clients, the Customs, Foreign Exchange and
Investment Department was set up in January 2021. It operates in the areas of customs advice and litigation,
international trade, CEMAC exchange regulations or transport law.
The firm’s clients are local, regional and international private businesses, as well as public entities in various sectors
including brewery, hospitality, logistics and transport, real estate, education, transport, technology,
pharmaceuticals, gambling or entertainment.
Since 2017, D. HAPPI Avocats is managed by Vanessa de HAPPI, lawyer at the Bars of Cameroon and Quebec.
She is a specialist of corporate governance and legal and regulatory compliance.