“…you’ve only got one shot, so make it count,” – Sadia Bakarr
Sadia Bakarr is the Managing Counsel and Legal Director of Bakarr & Associates, a corporate and commercial law firm based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. With over 12 years of experience, she advises boards, shareholders, regulators, and senior management on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, restructuring, and public-private partnerships.
Her journey in law has been shaped by a deep appreciation for its practical impact, how it structures businesses, resolves complexity, and creates opportunity. She holds an LL.M. in International Business Law (Distinction) from Central European University and an LL.B. (Hons) from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. She was called to the Sierra Leone Bar by the Council of Legal Education in December 2013.
Prior to founding her firm, Sadia worked at Tanner Legal Advisory, advising local and international clients on company, employment, and commercial law. She has also served as a Legal Analyst Assistant on European Union Election Observation Missions in Sierra Leone in 2018 and 2023.
Author of Transnational Dispute Management (TDM), Sadia maintains a strong interest in the intersection of law, business, and development. Her practice spans corporate advisory, employment law, and commercial litigation, with a growing focus on energy, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.
Beyond her clients’ work, she is deeply committed to mentorship and serves as a pupil master, guiding and training young lawyers. She considers this one of the most meaningful aspects of her career.
Sadia’s vision is to grow Bakarr & Associates into a regional firm with specialised teams, positioned as a bridge for businesses entering Sierra Leone. Through this, she aims to support companies in structuring their operations, navigating regulatory frameworks, and becoming investment-ready, while contributing to a more accessible and structured business environment.
1. The Driving Force for Choosing the Legal Profession
Sadia Bakarr’s passion for the legal profession was ignited by a deep curiosity about how systems work and how the law shapes real-life outcomes. As she progressed in her studies and early practice, she found herself increasingly drawn to the practical application of the law, how it can be used not only to resolve disputes but also to create structure, certainty, and opportunity.
What continues to make the practice fulfilling for her operates on two levels. On one hand, serving her clients is deeply rewarding. Being able to guide them through complex issues, build trust over time, and ultimately be regarded as someone they can rely on is a profound accomplishment. When a client recommends you, it reflects more than competence; it reflects confidence in your judgment and integrity.
On the other hand, and perhaps even more importantly, is her contribution to the education and development of the next generation of lawyers. As someone who has benefitted from strong mentorship, she finds great fulfilment in passing that knowledge on. Helping young lawyers build their skills, confidence, and discipline is, to her, one of the most meaningful aspects of the profession.
It is this combination, which impacts clients and shapes future practitioners, that continues to make the practice of law deeply fulfilling for her.
2. Qualities of an Exceptional Lawyer and How Young Professionals Can Cultivate Such Attributes
In Sadia’s view, a truly exceptional lawyer today must possess a blend of technical excellence, commercial awareness, and emotional intelligence. The practice of law no longer exists in isolation; it intersects with business, policy, and human relationships.
Adaptability is also critical. The legal landscape is constantly evolving, and lawyers must remain lifelong learners who are intellectually curious and forward-thinking.
She believes young professionals can cultivate these attributes by building a strong foundation in legal principles while actively seeking to understand the industries they serve, developing clear and effective communication skills, practising discipline and integrity, and remaining open to mentorship and learning from both success and failure.
Ultimately, consistency and intentional growth are what distinguish exceptional lawyers over time.
3. Significant Ongoing Project or Initiatives and Possible Impacts
At this stage in her career, Sadia is not focused on a single groundbreaking project. Her focus is on staying the course and building something enduring.
She is committed to growing her law firm into a regional practice where practitioners are not only highly competent but also specialised in key areas of the law. She believes the future of legal practice, particularly in emerging markets, lies in the depth of expertise rather than generalisation. By developing specialised teams, the firm is better positioned to provide high quality, tailored advice that meets the increasingly complex needs of its clients.
A key part of this vision is positioning the firm as a bridge for market entry into Sierra Leone. There is a significant opportunity in the region, but many businesses, particularly small and mid-sized companies, struggle to navigate regulatory frameworks, structure their operations, and become investment-ready. Through her work, she aims to support these businesses by assisting with company structuring and compliance, providing practical, commercially sound legal advice, helping them become investment-ready for local or international funding, and guiding them through regulatory and operational challenges.
The broader impact she hopes to make is contributing to a more structured and accessible business environment, one where businesses can grow sustainably and confidently, supported by strong legal foundations.
4. Role Models and Impactful Books
Sadia’s interest in law truly deepened during her time at the Sierra Leone Law School and while pursuing her LL.B. She was particularly fascinated by the practical aspects of the law and how theory translates into real life application.
She was fortunate to learn from exceptional tutors who shaped her understanding of legal practice in lasting ways. Justice Glenna Thompson, JSC, who taught Opinion Writing and Drafting, had a profound impact on her approach to structure and clarity. Former Acting Chief Justice N.C. Browne Marke, who taught drafting in commercial disputes, also played a pivotal role in shaping her thinking. Interestingly, that area has since become her specialty, reflecting the lasting influence of his teaching.
Her pupil master, Africanus Sorie Sesay, Esq., played an equally defining role. He exposed her to what she considers the very best form of legal education, one rooted in discipline, precision, and high standards. His work ethics and teaching style left a lasting impression, which she now carry into her practice as a pupil master.
She would also be remiss not to mention Tibor Táíti, her professor at Central European University, where she pursued her Master’s in Business Law. His enthusiasm and intellectual depth continue to inspire her, particularly as she looks towards a future in academia and hopes to bring that same level of engagement to her teaching.
Sadia does not attribute her perspective to a single book. Rather, it has been shaped by a simple but powerful realisation: every day is the youngest she will ever be, and therefore hard work is not optional. She is also inspired by the line, “you’ve only got one shot, so make it count,” a mindset that continues to guide both her career and her life.
5. Advice or Guiding Principles for Young Legal Professionals and Advocates Trying to Find their Place and Purpose in the Legal Terrain
Sadia’s advice to young legal professionals is simple: there will always be a place at the top. The real question is whether you are willing to do what it takes to get there.
First, master the basics. Your ability to research, analyse, and communicate clearly will form the foundation of your career. No matter how far you progress, you will always return to these core skills.
Second, decide the type of lawyer you want to be and commit to that path. It is tempting, especially in the early years, to try to do everything. In her experience, that only slows your growth. You cannot specialise if you are constantly switching directions.
Finally, stay the course. The legal profession rewards consistency, discipline, and patience. Progress may feel slow at times, but every experience is building something. If you remain focused and intentional, you will not only find your place you will grow into it, and in time, create space for others to rise as well.
Click here to read our previous Millennial, Razan Ali
Editorial Team
Silver Obioha
Clinton Nyamongo
Kazeem Afolabi
Dikeledi Matlhagare
Tolulope Olasunkanmi
Sulaimon Badmus
Aya Hamdy
Princess Maake
Vera Enubianozor
Brandon Otieno
Oluwabusayo Awodele
Kyenpiya Wonang
Gift Nwoke
Jessica Odoh
Tracy Karumba
Mary-Jones Ossi
Halimah Oladunni
Mary Linus
Peter Momoh
Jessica Omoruyi
