Lucie Ouangrawa Koupouli

I am a lawyer with other 15 years of experience of practicing, applying and teaching law as a Law Professor, a Judge, and Legal Advisor to Ministers. 

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Washington, DC

Legal Intern, May 2019 - Aug 2019

Performed comprehensive research on Human Rights issues and related frameworks and mechanisms of African institutions, including the African Commission, African Court, ECOWAS Community Court and East African Court of Justice.

• Gathered extensive volumes of information to assess the jurisprudence of freedom of expression before the African Court, ECOWAS Court and EACJ.
• Produced detailed reports for decision-makers and produced actionable recommendations to foster legal change.
• Produced a blogpost on Human Rights legislation and terrorism to raise awareness.

Ministries of Government, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 

Legal Advisor to the Ministers, Sep 2008 – Jan 2016                                       

Provided comprehensive legal and technical support and counselling to multiple Ministries within Burkina Faso, providing guidance with a range of governance matters.

• Conducted research on a broad range of topics to guide the scope of policy development to eliminate technical barriers to economic development and accelerate progress.
• Led complex negotiations on various legal, commercial and institutional matters, liaising with Government stakeholders, regulatory bodies and members of both the local and international trade community.
• Guided the implementation of policy guidelines nation-wide, cooperating and assisting regional bodies.
• Established new processes and procedures, restructured and reorganized operational frameworks, and drove organizational change.
• Represented the Minister in a range of regional and international meetings, advocating various policies, initiatives and proposed legislation.
• Cultivated productive working relations and strong partnerships with various international organizations and NGOs. 
• Served as a support resource for multiple large-scale state companies and agencies, providing financial, legal and operational assistance.
• Assessed internal company structures to outline deficiencies and performance gaps and develop corrective strategies.
• Functioned as a main stakeholder in producing a wide range of executive orders, bills and decrees, submitting for approval to the Parliament.

Key Achievement: 

Successfully overhauled the restructuration of National Civil Aviation, National Meteorology Agencies and the National Airlines Company preventing both entities from a social crises and losses preserving 200+ jobs and avoiding bankruptcy. 

University of Ouagadougou’s Law school, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Professor, Oct 2007 – Jun 2009

Taught Family Law to undergraduate classes of up to 100 students.

• Conceptualized and developed engaging curricula and syllabi, while leveraging multi-media materials and to maximize student engagement.
• Integrated real-life examples and case studies into lessons to help students better understand the material.
• Provided ongoing feedback to students to ensure continuous development.

High Court of Justice Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Judge, August 2006 - September 2008

Presided over 500+ commercial, civil and criminal proceedings as part of a 3-judges bench.

• Decided the merits of cases, auditing witnesses and assessing evidence, consulting laws and regulations and issuing decisions according to applicable statutes.
• Monitored proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures were followed.

Kopiho Law Firm, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso       

Lawyer, Feb 2004 – Dec 2004                                 

Guided, orchestrated and negotiated a complex merger between two leading oil companies.

• Prepared legal documentation and memoranda in support of hearing and trials.
• Managed all aspects of the contract negotiations.
• Handled all aspects of the litigation Process. 

Commission of West African Economic and Monetary Union, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso       

Legal Intern, July 2003 - November 2003

• Provided extensive support to WAEMU’s legal team in safeguarding the organization’s interests and advancing the overall mission statement. 
• Researched and produced a paper on trade barriers and impact of tariffs and developed reports to shape policymaking.

American University Washington College of Law, Washington DC, USA                         

Master of Law, International Legal Studies, December 2019 

English for Lawyer, June- July 2018 

National School of Magistracy (ENAM), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso                  

Graduate Diploma in Magistracy, June 2006 

University Jean Moulin Lyon III, Lyon, France                                                             

MBA, International Affairs, June 2005                                                                  

University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso                                       

Graduate Diploma, Business Law, April 2004