Sorelle Fonssouo Mogo: Conquering Legal Challenges & Elevating Women In Law

Women leaders in Cameroon have made remarkable strides in various fields, including law, business, and politics. Despite facing numerous challenges, their contributions are essential in driving the country’s economic and social development. Women in leadership roles continue to break barriers, inspire change, and create new opportunities for future generations.

Sorelle Fonssouo Mogo is a prominent example of this trailblazing spirit. She began her legal career at AUDITFISC EXPERT, a French firm, before moving to ECOBANK Cameroon SA and the African Center for Law and Development (CADEV). In 2013, she joined Jing & Partners as a Junior Legal Counsel, where her exceptional skills and dedication quickly propelled her career. She passed the Advocate in Training entrance exam in 2015 and was sworn in as a lawyer in 2018, marking a significant milestone in her professional journey.

In 2020, Sorelle was promoted to partner at Jing & Partners, further solidifying her leadership in the legal field. Her ambition led her to expand her expertise internationally, as she successfully passed the Paris Bar exam in 2024. With multiple degrees and certificates, including a Master’s in Arbitration Law and Business Litigation, Sorelle’s achievements have earned her recognition, including being one of the finalists for the Best OHADA Lawyer award in 2009. Her career is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the growing influence of women leaders in Cameroon. Let’s dive in to know more. 

Can you tell us about Jing & Partners and describe your main roles and responsibilities as a Partner there?
Jing & Partners, founded in 2004 by Barristers Paul JING and Laurent DONGMO, is a leading law firm based in Douala-Bonapriso, offering a comprehensive range of legal services across Cameroon and the Central African sub-region. The firm is well-regarded for its expertise in renewable financing backed by structured assets and has played a significant role in major bond issuances in Cameroon and the CEMAC capital markets. Jing & Partners also handles transactions across various sectors, including banking, commodities, mining, telecommunications, oil, gas, and energy. Its areas of expertise include corporate and project financing, business law, land law, urban planning, construction, mergers and acquisitions, banking, capital markets, intellectual property, competition law, labor law, insurance, and international arbitration. With a commitment to high-quality service, the firm collaborates with renowned international law firms such as Allen & Overy Shearman, Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance, and Gide Loyrette Nouel. As a partner, I manage a team of associates, mentor students, handle high-profile cases, support clients, and represent the firm at national and international events.

"With a commitment to high-quality service, the firm collaborates with renowned international law firms such as allen & overy shearman, baker mckenzie, clifford chance, and gide loyrette nouel"

What are your main priorities in driving growth for Jing & Partners?
My main involvement is in the firm's advisory work, especially in significant financing projects, corporate restructuring (including mergers, demergers, acquisitions, and partial asset contributions), publicprivate partnership agreements, and projects in mining, oil, and gas. Additionally, I focus on capital markets, arbitration disputes, and tax & customs litigation. These areas are central to my role, where I provide expertise and guidance to ensure successful outcomes for the firm and its clients.

The journey of a business leader is often filled with challenges. Can you share some of the key obstacles you face in your current role and how you navigate them?
I encounter significant daily pressure from the high volume of client demands, the evolving legal and regulatory environment, intense competition, and the ongoing need to protect the firm’s reputation. Additionally, adapting to new challenges, such as the rise of artificial intelligence, is crucial. I encourage my colleagues and fellow legal professionals to view AI as a tool for support, skill enhancement, and strategic advantage. As a leader, I must continuously reinvent myself and stay current to maintain competitiveness in the fast-paced market.

What do you consider to be your biggest achievements in your professional journey so far? As a leader, what has been your key to success?
In my professional journey, I take pride in my advancement within Jing & Partners, progressing from junior legal counsel to partner. A second significant achievement is redefining the practice of law in Cameroon. Rather than simply addressing disputes, I focus on anticipating and preventing them, especially in specialized areas such as project financing, corporate restructuring, electricity law, and mining law. Through the firm, I am now an integral part of advisory teams for Cameroon’s largest projects. I contributed to the sale of shares in GUINNESS Cameroon SA, valued at 300 billion FCFA, as well as the transaction involving the transfer of BPCE's shares in BICEC Cameroon. I also played a role in financing major projects such as the Douala Grand Mall Financing, Nachtigal Hydro Power Company, CIMENCAM SA and CIMENCAM-FIGUIL SA Financing and several Energy of Cameroon (ENEO) SA Finance transactions. The Nachtigal project won multiple awards, including Project of the Year 2018 and Best Energy-Renewable Resources Project 2024. I am currently working on other significant electricity projects in Cameroon, which surpass those previously mentioned.

How do you see Cameroon’s business environment developing in the near future? What role do women play in driving the country’s economic growth?
Cameroon's economic future looks promising, with numerous development projects currently underway. The country continues to offer a wealth of opportunities for those with vision, requiring only awareness and dedicated effort to achieve success.

As for the role of women, who were once confined to secondary roles, their skills are now being increasingly recognized, and I am a testament to this progress. In Cameroon, many women are now serving as lawyers, judges, ministers, CEOs, and in other leadership positions. Although the representation of women in key roles is still relatively low, it is important to recognize the significant strides that have been made. 

Sorelle Fonssouo Mogo, Partner, Jing & Partners
Sorelle Fonssouo Mogo is a Partner at Jing & Partners, where she specializes in project financing, corporate restructuring, and dispute prevention. With extensive experience in major Cameroonian projects, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s legal landscape.