El Hadji Dadou Seck

El Hadji Daouda Seck is a lawyer and partner at Cabinet Houda (SCP Houda & Associés), a leading law firm based in Dakar, Senegal. Appointed a partner in 2022, he has been recognised in the Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026 as Litigation Law Expert of the Year in Senegal, an accolade that reflects his role within one of the region's prominent business law practices.

A leading Senegalese business law firm

Cabinet Houda assists its clients, which include private companies, public entities and individuals, with all of their legal needs in Senegal and across the member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). The firm's practice spans a wide range of areas, including OHADA law, arbitration and mediation, banking and finance, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and restructuring, commercial litigation, mining and energy, real estate, labour law, tax law, technology and personal data protection, and maritime law. Operating from Dakar, the firm serves clients on both advisory and contentious matters, and El Hadji Daouda Seck practises as a partner and legal adviser within this multidisciplinary team.

Litigation in Senegal and the UEMOA region

Litigation is the process of resolving disputes through the courts, and it demands both procedural skill and persuasive advocacy. Commercial litigation, in particular, requires a thorough understanding of the substantive law governing the dispute, whether that concerns a contract, a corporate matter, a financial arrangement or a regulatory question, together with mastery of the procedures of the relevant courts. In Senegal, business disputes frequently engage the harmonised framework of OHADA law, which provides uniform rules across a large group of African states in areas such as commercial companies, securities and debt recovery, as well as a dedicated mechanism for arbitration.

Effective litigators help clients assess the strength of their positions, develop a strategy, and pursue or defend claims through to resolution, whether by judgment, settlement or alternative dispute resolution. Because many commercial relationships in the region have cross-border dimensions, litigation in Senegal may form part of a wider strategy spanning several UEMOA or OHADA jurisdictions, making regional knowledge and coordination particularly valuable. A firm that combines litigation strength with broad advisory capability can support clients not only in resolving disputes but also in structuring their affairs to reduce the risk of conflict in the first place.

Areas of focus

• Commercial and civil litigation
• Dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation
• OHADA business law
• Corporate, banking and finance matters
• Representation of private companies, public entities and individuals

Senegal is one of West Africa's most dynamic economies and an important centre for business in the region. As commercial activity grows, so does the need for skilled litigators who can protect their clients' interests when disputes arise. Advisers who understand both the Senegalese courts and the wider OHADA and UEMOA frameworks are well placed to serve domestic and international clients operating in this environment.

Prevention is as important as resolution. Well-drafted contracts, sound corporate governance and careful attention to regulatory requirements can all reduce the likelihood of disputes and strengthen a client's position should litigation nonetheless become necessary. A litigator who also draws on a firm's broader advisory expertise can help clients anticipate and manage risk, not merely respond to it once a conflict has arisen. Within Cabinet Houda's multidisciplinary practice, El Hadji Daouda Seck is able to bring this combined perspective to bear, supporting clients both in resolving disputes and in structuring their affairs to withstand challenge.

Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026

The Corporate INTL Global Awards recognise leading practitioners and firms across the world's legal and advisory markets, identified through the publication's research among clients and peers. El Hadji Daouda Seck's recognition as Litigation Law Expert of the Year in Senegal reflects both his role at Cabinet Houda and the firm's standing in the region. For businesses, public bodies and individuals facing disputes in Senegal and the wider UEMOA area, his experience within a leading Dakar firm offers capable and well-connected representation.