A conversation about building a cross-border practice, and why Africa is a premier opportunity for business growth.

Ally Law: You have deep personal, educational, and professional ties in both Ghana and the United States. Can you tell us a little about that path?

William Nartey: I was born in Ghana and did my primary education and high school there. When I was about 18 or 19, I moved to London for a couple of years, and then I moved to the United States for college. I did my undergraduate education at Luther College in Iowa, where I studied political science and economics.

After college, I worked in Iowa with the Hertz Corporation and subsequently moved to Georgia and worked as a financial advisor.  Following that, I went to law school in Florida and upon completion moved back to Georgia, took the bar, and practiced there for several years.

Ally Law: What kinds of work did you do in Georgia?

William: I established my law practice in Georgia which handled primarily personal injury, business litigation, immigration and creditor-rights work. I represented individuals, banks, mortgage companies and other financial institutions throughout the state of Georgia often handling a very large volume of cases across the state, and I had to learn quickly how to manage systems, people, courts, clients, and risk.

Ally Law: You started your own practice fairly early. Where did that confidence come from?

William: Firstly, I would attribute that to a strong belief in myself, but also from seeing someone else do it first.

A close friend of mine from high school in Ghana had moved to the United States, gone to law school, and started his own practice in Georgia. I watched and helped him build it from the ground up — from buying furniture and books —to setting up the office and taking on clients. He would often talk me through his cases and seeing that journey made it feel achievable. It showed me that it could be done and that gave me the confidence to do it myself.

I also went to law school a little later than many people. Before that I had worked in different industries, so I had a much clearer idea of what I enjoyed, what I didn’t and the kind of practice I wanted to build. Starting a firm wasn’t’ easy, but I knew I wanted to build something of my own rather than simply work in someone else’s  firm.

I have always believed that if you are prepared to work hard, continue learning and treat people well, you don’t have to wait for the “perfect time” to build something. At some point you simply have to take the leap, and that is what I did both in Georgia and in Ghana.

Ally Law: What brought you back to Ghana?

William: I decided to return to Ghana because I believed it gave me a unique opportunity to combine what I had learned in the United States with the opportunities I saw developing in Ghana and the wider African continent.

As Africa’s economies were growing, investment was increasing and there was a real need for lawyers who understood both international business and the local legal landscape. I wanted to be part of that growth. And believed I could contribute positively to that development.

When I returned to Ghana, I first went through the process of qualifying to practice in Ghana. I also worked as a senior attorney with Databank, a leading investment bank in Ghana because I wanted to deepen my understanding of capital markets and the securities industry. At the time, relatively few lawyers were working extensively in that area, and I felt it would broaden my perspective and ultimately make me a better adviser to clients.

Ally Law: How did that shape Nartey Law Firm?

William: When I set up my practice in Ghana, I quickly realized that some of the areas I had practiced in the United States; such as personal injury, immigration, and creditor rights – were not where the greatest need existed in Ghana.

The firm naturally evolved. We focused more on corporate and commercial work, regulatory compliance, real estate, investment transactions and helping businesses establish and grow in Ghana.

A large part of our client base has always been international business; whether from China, the United States or elsewhere.  While the legal issues may differ from those I handled in America, understanding how international businesses think and what they expect has been a real advantage.

Today much of our work is helping clients enter the market, establish their operations, navigate compliance requirements and continue supporting them as their businesses grow.

Ally Law: How do you see Ghana’s role for companies entering Africa?

William: I believe Africa is no longer simply the next frontier; it is today’s opportunity.

 Investment into the continent will continue to grow and Ghana is well positioned to benefit from that. As the country continues to push towards industrialization and adding more value to its natural resources, I believe there will be even greater opportunities for businesses across many sectors.

Ghana is also an excellent and strategic entry point for many businesses into West Africa. It is a common-law jurisdiction, it is politically stable, and it has a sophisticated commercial environment, all of which gives investor confidence.

Through Ally Law and our relationships across the region, including in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Togo, we are able to support clients beyond Ghana. The idea is to grow stronger in this space and be the go-to firm and trusted advisor to help client navigate opportunities in Ghana and across the region.

Ally Law: What should clients understand about the way Nartey Law Firm works with investors and businesses?

William: We want clients to feel that we are part of their team, not just lawyers.

 Because I have lived and worked in different countries, I understand both the local business environment, but I also understand how international investors approach new markets. That helps us bridge the gap and make the process easier for our clients.

We don’t just help clients incorporate into a company or obtain licenses. We aim to support them throughout the entire journey—from entering the market, becoming established and meeting regulatory requirements— to help them solve problems as their businesses continue to grow.

Ally Law: Your work sounds very demanding. What helps you relax?

William: I genuinely enjoy my work, so work doesn’t always feel like work.  That said, leading a firm comes with a lot of responsibility, both to our clients and to our team, so I acknowledge the importance of making time to switch off if I can call it that.

Football has always been a big part of my life. I played throughout my time in college, winning several awards in the process. I have also had the unique opportunity to play at the famous Wembley Stadium in London, which was a great experience. I still play regularly and I also enjoy going to the gym. I also love traveling when I can find the time.