Meet our Team

Joyce Williams


Founder & Managing Attorney

Email: joyce@armooh-williams.com

Joyce Williams is the Managing Attorney at Armooh-Williams, PLLC, leading the firm's efforts in project finance, international trade, and Africa-focused legal practices. Her commitment extends beyond the firm, as evidenced by her roles on the Board of the American Bar Association's African Law Initiative Council on Rule of Law Initiatives, the International Bar Foundation Rule of Law Initiative, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Policy Network, The Doña Gracia Center for Diplomacy, United Community, and Asankrangwa Kroye Kuo.

Recognized for her impactful work in human trafficking advocacy and supply chain security, Joyce has made significant strides in advancing diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. Her dedication to social impact is further demonstrated through her pro bono work, including the WE-Lab, a project of the Armooh-Williams Foundation designed to support women entrepreneurs, and an immigration clinic aiding Asylees, Refugees, and new arrivals in the United States, in collaboration with Hispano Progreso.

Joyce, an influential speaker and author, has shared her expertise on various legal matters, including regional integration, global migration, the intersection of sports and development, blockchain technology, international sales, and the financing of international projects, alongside mentoring within the legal field. Her insights are regularly featured at primary international law and development conferences, and she contributes scholarly articles on the rule of law and global development issues.

Throughout her career, Joyce has garnered experience from prestigious organizations such as the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in Incheon, South Korea, the Kozolchyk National Law Center in Tucson, Arizona, SILLAC Consulting in Annapolis, Maryland, and the International Law Institute in Washington D.C. Serving a wide-ranging clientele that includes state leaders, diplomats, royalty, and top executives, her professional journey reflects her diverse expertise and commitment to legal excellence.

Previously, Joyce has contributed her leadership to the African Union Mission's Diaspora Committee, the Institute for African Women in Law, and Bakashana. She has acted as a Social Ambassador for the Youth Advocacy of Ghana and a Special Advisor to the President of the African Bar Association.

PRACTICE FOCUS
  • Project Development & Finance
  • International Trade & Commerce
  • Immigration Law
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
  • American Bar Association
    • Presidential Appointee - Special Adviser: Rule of Law-Africa Council
    • Editor-in-Chief: Africa Law Today Journal, Section of International Law, Africa Committee
    • Fellow - American Bar Foundation
  • Executive Council Member - African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Policy Network, Ghana & Diaspora
  • Special Adviser - International Programs & Partnerships, African Bar Association
ADMISSIONS
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • The State of Arizona, Supreme Court
EDUCATION
  • Arizona Summit Law School, Phoenix, Arizona - Juris Doctor of Law
  • Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina - Bachelor of Arts Economics
PRACTICE FOCUS
  • Project Development & Finance
  • International Trade & Commerce
  • Immigration Law
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
  • American Bar Association
    • Presidential Appointee - Special Adviser: Rule of Law-Africa Council
    • Editor-in-Chief: Africa Law Today Journal, Section of International Law, Africa Committee
    • Fellow - American Bar Foundation
  • Executive Council Member - African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Policy Network, Ghana & Diaspora
  • Special Adviser - International Programs & Partnerships, African Bar Association
ADMISSIONS
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • The State of Arizona, Supreme Court
EDUCATION
  • Arizona Summit Law School, Phoenix, Arizona - Juris Doctor of Law
  • Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina - Bachelor of Arts Economics

Hiwot Berihun


Of Counsel

Email: hiwot@armooh-williams.com

Hiwot Berihun is an accomplished attorney with a diverse law, project management, and government affairs background. With a strong focus on achieving results and delivering value, Hiwot has cultivated a multifaceted skill set.

Raised in Northern Virginia, Hiwot attended the University of Virginia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Anthropology. After working for Booz Allen Hamilton as an IT Project Manager for five years, she earned her Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law.

Hiwot practiced immigration law, serving individuals and businesses in private practice for several years. She currently serves as Legal Director for a nonprofit organization. Hiwot Berihun's diverse background, legal expertise, and project management skills make her an asset in any professional setting. Her dedication to serving her clients and the community is a testament to her commitment to justice and excellence.

She joins Armooh-Williams, PLLC, as Of Counsel to assist with the firm’s business and international trade practice. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Maryland.

EDUCATION
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) - Washburn University School of Law (2012 - 2014)
  • BA in Economics & Anthropology - University of Virginia (2007)
  • Queen Mary, U. of London (2006)
PRACTICE FOCUS
  • Private International Law
  • U.S Government Contracts
  • Business Formation
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
  • Member -American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
LANGUAGES
  • English
  • Amharic
ADMISSIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • The State of Maryland, Supreme Court
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • ITIL® v3: Achieving Foundation Certification

Dexter C. Cummings


Of Counsel

Email: dexter@armooh-williams.com

Mr. Dexter C. Cummings is a New York licensed attorney with over two decades of legal experience. He has specialties in commercial contracts, nonprofit law, healthcare, sponsored scientific research, development, intellectual property licensing, entertainment, privacy, cross-border regulatory compliance, corporate governance, employment law, and litigation management.

He routinely advises and counsels various non-profit and commercial organizations, both domestically and internationally, focused on delivering innovative new technology for social impact. These include an award-winning Red Herring Global Top 100 disruptive voice technology firm (UNICEF)! a biotechnology company developing organic recombinant protein for new targeted drug therapies, a proprietary hydroponics and aquaculture urban farming system, African-based PoS, fin-tech, eCommerce mobile solutions, and a publicly traded life sciences company focused on regenerative medicine. Internationally, he has represented the African solar energy group at World Bank meetings regarding restructuring the Power Africa and IFC financing, tariff, and market supports. He has also consulted international developers and hospitality concerns concerning a $1.3B debt restructuring package.

Dexter is committed to community, connecting, and empowering the Africa Diaspora. He has consulted with African Union and UN initiatives. During his career, he has developed a broad network relationship that spans many individuals, family offices, and private companies in the technology, construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors. Mr. Cummings is often consulted by companies and investors interested in developing opportunities and global partnerships in the United States, Europe, and Africa to drive climate-smart and inclusive impact. He is a Board member and Co-Founder of Future-Kings, a STEM-based mentoring and entrepreneurship program in Northern Virginia, a Member of Stafford County & Virginia NAACP (Co-Chair, Economic Development Committee), and was recently appointed to Stafford County (Virginia's 1st Smart-city) Economic Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority.

Mr. Cummings received his Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law and B.A. Liberal Arts from Stonybrook University (Political Science & Economics). He began his career at a major firm in Washington, DC. He was contract and appellate brief counsel on Fortune 500 complex government personal injury before serving as Deputy General Counsel for the American Diabetes Association. Before law school, he enjoyed a successful career as a healthcare executive with Georgetown University Physicians Practice and New York City's largest inpatient and ambulatory hospital.

EDUCATION
  • Juris Doctor (J.D), Howard University School of Law
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Economics, Stony Brook University
PRACTICE FOCUS
  • Corporate General Counsel
  • Intellectual Property – Licensing
  • Non-Profits & Government Affairs
  • Employment Law
  • Healthcare Law
  • Fintech & Start-ups
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
  • New York Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • AfCTA Policy Network
  • Planning Commissioner, Griffis Widewater, Stafford County, VA
  • American Institute of Community Planners (AICP)
  • AICP Certified Planner
ADMISSIONS
  • The State of New York
 

Nadia Bouajila


Law Clerk

Email: nadia@armooh-williams.com

Ms. Nadia Bouajila holds a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law (WCL) and B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University. Nadia also holds a certificate on Racial Equity and the SDGs from the Federal Bar Association and UN Global Compact.

She worked as a Consultant for the African Mining Legislation Atlas (AMLA), a joint legislation gathering, organization, dissemination and capacity building project between the World Bank, the African Union Commission, and the African Legal Support Facility. In this role, Nadia oversaw and contributed to the research, drafting, editing and publication of two toolkits: Toolkit for State Equity Participation in Mining Companies; and Toolkit on Local Development & Community Engagement in Mining Projects. She was responsible for the curriculum development, logistical planning, and execution of a 5-day hybrid capacity building workshop which gave 10 law students from around Africa the opportunity to gain an expertise in the fundamental aspects of mining law in Africa. She also coordinated AMLA’s participation at the 2022 Mining Indaba which included a launch of the two toolkits and panel discussion on state equity participation.

During law school, Nadia served as a Student Attorney in the WCL Community Economic and Equity Development Clinic, where she represented nonprofit organizations in the District of Columbia and Maryland. As a as a Research Associate for the Public International Law & Policy Group: Lawyering Peace Program, she provided legal assistance and guidance to parties involved with negotiating ceasefires, developing transitional justice mechanisms, designing wealth-sharing agreements, and negotiating peace.

While at WCL, Nadia also worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Padideh Ala'i, Dean of the WCL Trade, Investment, and Development Program (TID). Nadia served as President of WCL's African Law and Policy Association and Managing Editor of the Arbitration Brief. She was a Status Updates Researcher for the War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) focusing her work on the IIIM Syria and Universal Jurisdiction.

Nadia was a joint intern for Sethi & Mazahiri, an immigration law firm and Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI), a non-profit providing services to artists who faced censorship and persecution for their free expression where she drafted USCIS applications and eligibility briefs, agent contracts, and parole requests for defensive asylum cases. Nadia was a contributor to AFI’s Artistic Freedom Monitor report: Systematic Suppression: Hungary’s Arts and Culture in Crisis.

Nadia interned with Armooh-Williams PLLC, a boutique law firm engaged in Global Trade Policy, Immigration Law, and Business Law where she researched and created presentations on the African Continental Free Trade Area and the opportunities it created for women owned businesses. She provided legal research and drafted MOUs for clients focused on south-to-south trade development and investment. She also maintained client files and supported case work in the firm’s immigration practice.

She was a 2021 Corporate Scholar for the Association of Corporate Counsel North Capital Region, where she served as a Legal Intern for the DC Green Bank. At DC Green Bank Nadia supported the legal team in drafting and negotiating loan agreements and affiliating documents. She also worked to develop internal bank policies on mobilizing private investment to provide gap financing, remove up-front costs and maximize the impact of public investments in carbon neutrality, climate resiliency, and inclusive economic growth.

Before attending law school, Nadia worked as a paralegal at Ahmad Assed & Associated, a criminal defense firm in New Mexico, and as a trainee at Kivvit, a political affairs firm in New York City. She was also a Youth Delegate at the 2018 Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations in Geneva.

Hannah Pakravan


Policy Researcher

Email: hannah@armooh-williams.com

Hannah Pakravan is a policy researcher at Armooh-Williams, PLLC, focusing on climate policy and migration, debt relief for small island nations ESG in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

She has a MSc in Emerging Economies and International Relations from King's College London and a B.A. in Politics and International Relations from Royal Holloway University of London. Hannah has worked as a Sustainability Strategy and Policy Analyst at M&G plc, London, where she guided the formulation and implementation of the firm's sustainability strategy, wrote position statements to guide the firm's investment decisions, and tracked Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) related initiatives and targets.

She has also consulted vital stakeholders to expand and specify ESG-related disclosures publicly and was responsible for responding to external ESG rating agencies' questionnaires to increase the firm's ESG score.

Victor Olabode Munis


Foreign Consultant

Email: victor@armooh-williams.com

Victor Olabode Munis, a seasoned attorney who serves as a foreign legal consultant at Armooh-Williams, providing legal advisory services in financial services. His practice areas include Energy & Natural Resources Law, Banking & Finance Law, Insurance Law, Corporate/Commercial Law, International Trade Law, Property Law, and Arbitration.

Before joining the firm, Victor was a partner at TRLPLW Solicitors & Advocates in Nigeria, West Africa, specializing in oil and gas, the shipping industry, the power industry, and land rights. He additionally conducted significant research on investor guarantees, as commissioned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and has supplied legal services to the largest hydropower plant in Nigeria.

Victor also recently worked with a team of international lawyers on the privatization of the PHCN power company in Nigeria, wherein he represented a consortium that won the concession of two of the country's largest hydropower plants. He additionally served as a legal adviser to the Association of Power Generation Companies in Nigeria.

In his reserve spare time, Victor tirelessly mentors' students at the University of Manchester's "Manchester Gold Mentoring" program in London.

PRACTICE FOCUS
  • Energy & Natural Resources Law
  • Banking & Finance, Insurance
  • Corporate/Commercial Law
  • International Trade
  • Property Law
  • International Arbitration
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
  • Member, Nigerian Bar Association
  • Member, International Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
    • Vice Chair: (Membership & Policy) Cross-Border Practice Management Committee
    • Vice Chair: (Communications), Africa Committee
  • Member, Young International Arbitration Group
  • Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
  • Member, Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA)
ADMISSIONS

Nigerian Bar

EDUCATION
  • The University of Manchester LL.M (International Business & Commercial Law) 2009-2010
  • Nigerian Law School B.L (Bar Vocational Course: License to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor) 2006-2007
  • University of Lagos LL.B (Hons.) 1994 – 2000
OTHER COURSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • Thomson Reuters Compliance Training: Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (Global) 2018
  • London Institute of Business & Management: Anti-Money Laundering Course 2019
LANGUAGES
  • English
  • French - Conversational
  • Portuguese - Conversational
  • Yoruba
AWARDS
  • Top 40 under 40 Lawyers - Nigerian Legal Awards 2016
  • Dealmaker of the year - TRLPLAW Awards 2015