Fiction from reality!

Encyclopaedia Britannica defines fiction to be “literature from the imagination… though it may be based on a true story or situation” while the free dictionary defines reality to be “The state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be”, both concepts are termed ‘opposite poles’ […]

Encyclopaedia Britannica defines fiction to be “literature from the imagination… though it may be based on a true story or situation” while the free dictionary defines reality to be “The state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be”, both concepts are termed ‘opposite poles’ due to the distinguishing factor that one is real while the other is imagination. Be that as it may, fiction provides one with knowledge that could be applied in real life though not exactly as portrayed.
Young wigs familiar with foreign legal sitcoms like Suits, Boston Legal, Fairly Legal, Ally Mcbeal et al are exposed to a certain level of professionalism in the legal profession as practised in advanced or developed societies, then after watching these sitcoms; reality sets in and brings us back to life in the real world.
Some followers of Young Lawyers column try to remind the writer that some ideas advocated in the column though brilliant are only theoretical {fictional} in nature and not realistic in the way law is practised in Nigeria, I beg to disagree. As M.C. Escher put it “Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible”. In other words, that which is seen as fiction can become real if there is determination to attempt the absurd.
This has placed a heavy burden on this young wig’s mind that questions on the possible reasons why imagination of how well law could be practised in Nigeria but said to be unrealistic arise: is it the infrastructural facilities of the law firm as shown in these fictional sitcoms that is impossible to achieve in real life? Is it the professional manner in which these lawyers communicate with clients and colleagues in settling disputes that is difficult to emulate? Or is it the bus {danfo}, bike or keke that young wigs in this country take to court and offices that make it impossible for one to package?
Putting aside the exceptional genius of fictional characters like Mike Ross, Harvey Specter, Danny Crane and the likes, in jurisdictions like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos, there exist law firms with modern infrastructural facility, some occupy 2 -3 floors in office complex, others have well equipped structures dedicated to the practice of law with professionalism, sadly these firms make less than 10 percent of the entire law firms in Nigeria and not all young lawyers can gain employment to these prestigious firms.
The legal profession evolves as situations and circumstances present themselves, and while reality present us with uncontrollable, unforeseen and unpredictable series of events that make it somewhat difficult to make a watertight plan and stick to it as depicted in fictional sitcoms, young wigs need to play a part in rebranding, remodelling and reinventing the way the legal profession works in Nigeria “Change is in the young”.
It is important to state at this juncture, the Nigerian democracy is young and her legal system still growing, this has contributed greatly in placing limits to what a young wig can or can’t accomplish in his society. President Kennedy once said “think not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country” unfortunately the economic environment of a young lawyer in my beloved country is not encouraging enough.
Having said that, everything was impossible until someone did it, young wigs who desire to make a positive impact on the growth of the legal profession should first study the legal environs they find themselves, discover aspects of law as it operates that can be adjusted without much resources and within means, then work towards achieving the change.
Don’t be discouraged that most of your ideas or innovations may be considered theoretical or unrealistic at first glance {the same was said to most inventions in the world today}; explore before discarding. There is no doubt that most of what is shown in these sitcoms is fictional, but the mere fact that one can relate with the theme as practicable in his immediate community, shows a glimpse of possibility that it can be done.

Do send your comment(s), observation(s) and recommendation(s) to [email protected] or follow on twitter @bulussdan