The main block for a Dakar law firm improving its website isn't technical — it's ethical. The Senegalese Bar Regulations (Article 20 onward) prohibit commercial advertising, peer comparisons, result guarantees. Many firms wrongly conclude they need a silent showcase site. Wrong: you can inform, demonstrate expertise, capture qualified prospects, without advertising.
TL;DR
- A Senegalese bar-compliant site is informative, not promotional. Forbidden: "best", "guaranteed", comparisons. Allowed: presenting expertise, publishing educational articles, offering online booking.
- A well-referenced Dakar firm captures 40-70% more organic prospects (Google) vs a static brochure site.
- Full Dakar law-firm site cost: 1.4 to 2.3 million FCFA with confidential booking module + educational articles.
What your prospect does in Dakar before calling
Mrs Fall, 42, Plateau business owner. Her partner is trying to push her out of the LLC without compensation. She searches at 11 p.m.: "commercial law lawyer Dakar LLC partner". She finds:
- A firm with a 2018 WordPress page — lawyer name, photo, phone. That's all.
- Another firm with a structured site: "corporate law" page detailing practice areas (formation, M&A, partner disputes, dissolution), educational article "How can a partner be excluded from a Senegalese LLC?", confidential booking form.
- Two Google Maps listings without proper websites.
Which does she contact? The second — she got a demonstration of competence before speaking to anyone.
What a lawyer's site can (and should) do in Senegal
1. Present practice areas precisely
"Commercial law" is too vague. Present: corporate law (formation, transfers, restructuring, partner disputes), commercial contracts, debt collection, commercial litigation, OHADA law. Each sub-area deserves a dedicated page. It helps Google rank your firm on "Senegal LLC transfer lawyer" or "Dakar partner dispute lawyer".
2. Produce educational content (not advertising)
This is the key. Articles like:
- "3 clauses to check before signing a Senegalese shareholders agreement"
- "What to do if your partner is blocking your LLC's AGM?"
- "Simplified OHADA procedure: 2026 conditions"
These articles demonstrate expertise without selling. They're the written version of a free consultation — costs your writing time, returns qualified prospects.
3. Confidential booking
A booking form that does not ask for case details (risk of breaching legal privilege from the prospect side). Just: name, phone, case type (dropdown: corporate / employment / family / criminal / other), preferred slot. The first consultation stays on phone or in-office — the site filters, doesn't handle.
4. Team presentation
Names, exact titles (Maître, Avocat at the Senegalese Bar, specializations), training (UCAD, Paris, HEC, CAMC specialization diploma...), experience, professional photos. No "best lawyer in Dakar". The CV speaks for you.
What the Senegalese Bar FORBIDS
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
- "Best corporate law firm in Dakar" → direct advertising, forbidden.
- "100% success rate in tax litigation" → result guarantee, forbidden.
- "We beat competitor pricing" → comparison, forbidden.
- Named client testimonials → breach of privilege.
- Before/after favorable ruling → forbidden.
- Public fee display → specific regulation, discuss with the bar.
Allowed and effective: "The firm has practiced corporate law in Senegal since 2012, with active presence before commercial courts in Dakar, Saint-Louis, and Thiès."
Budget — 3-partner law firm
- 10 pages (home, team × 3, practice areas × 4, contact, blog): 1,100,000 FCFA
- Educational blog with 5 initial articles co-written: 350,000 FCFA
- Confidential booking module + secure SMS: 280,000 FCFA
- Local SEO Plateau + legalService schema.org: 220,000 FCFA
- 6-month maintenance: 60,000 × 6 = 360,000 FCFA
Total: 2,310,000 FCFA. Payable in 2-3 tranches. One corporate-law case won through the site = 800,000 to 5M FCFA in fees. Typical payback in 2-3 months.
---
You're a Dakar lawyer wanting a compliant site that converts?
Kolonell knows Senegalese bar constraints (3 Dakar firm collaborations in 2025). Free detailed quote in 72h at kolonell.com/en/devis-gratuit or WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
FAQ
Can the Bar sanction me for having a website?
No, having a site is explicitly allowed. What gets sanctioned: promotional content. In doubt, have the content validated by your Bar president before launch.
Can I mention peers on my site?
Only neutrally (OHADA references, author citations, doctrine). No comparisons. No disparagement.
Is a booking form with case details risky?
Yes — double risk: (1) you receive sensitive info before accepting the mandate, (2) a malicious prospect can send false elements. Prefer a short form + phone call.
Can I republish an article I published in a journal?
Yes — with publisher consent. These reproductions reinforce SEO authority and demonstrate doctrinal activity without being advertising.
Mohamed Ba
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
