The young lawyers’ role

Young lawyers from far and wide were in the ancient city of Benin from 22nd – 24th of July for the summit ‘Transforming the Delivery of Legal Services in Nigeria: The Young Lawyers’ Role’.  In other words, developments in the legal profession and emerging areas of law rest on the shoulders of the younger generation; […]

Young lawyers from far and wide were in the ancient city of Benin from 22nd – 24th of July for the summit ‘Transforming the Delivery of Legal Services in Nigeria: The Young Lawyers’ Role’.  In other words, developments in the legal profession and emerging areas of law rest on the shoulders of the younger generation; the juniors of today will be the seniors of tomorrow and the best way to ensure a better tomorrow is to start from repositioning our practice from today.
On Day One, young lawyers arrived from different parts of the country, the turnout from the North was poor due to the distance of the event though we had representatives from Sokoto branch. Participants were registered on arrival and conference materials given to all, then cocktail followed to ease off the stress of journey and rekindle lost connection with learned friends.
On Day Two, Hon. Justice Henry Idahiagbon, the Attorney General of Edo State and Commissioner of Justice was the keynote speaker at the summit. Amongst other essential tips, told us of two types of young lawyers; those who are within the 1-7 seven years post call bracket and have engaged in self-development and capacity building beyond their years of call, and then those who are above 10 years at the BAR but have not developed their practice to that level.  He advised that they should be part of this enlightening summit.
Young lawyers were also advised on manner of speech in law firms, court and to fellow colleagues. thereafter the Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice C.O Idahosa, opened the ceremony.
The first session, ‘Repositioning the Nigerian Legal Profession to Provide Specialized Legal Services’ had  Elachi Agada, Dr. Dapo Olanipekun and Olayinka Arasi as panelists. Young lawyers were told to redirect, change their practice by having indepth training to project the legal profession in Nigeria by participating in professional groups and invest in any opportunity of knowledge. 
The next session ‘Cross Border Practice; Free Movement of Legal Practice Within ECOWAS States’ had Henry Ihunde Esq, Syvie Ogwemoh {SAN} as panelists.
On Day Three, Secretary General of the NBA, Afam Osigwe Esq, lectured young lawyers on ‘Finding Your Feet in the Legal Profession’ and on the panel was Olayiwola Afolabi. 
The second session focused on ‘The Judiciary/Pathway Towards Becoming a Competent Judicial Officer” which had the Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon Justice C.O Idahosa, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. P.O. Isibor, former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Delta State, C.A. Aguya.  You have a choice to either buy goods from a bad merchant or not, but who will save you when you appear before a poor judge, {poor is used here in terms of a judge’s appreciation of the Law}.
Participants at the summit earned 11 Credits CLE units which would be uploaded into the accounts of lawyers who are verified and whose names appear on NBA database. This will go a long way in boosting the credentials of a young lawyer as he journeys to the top.
There was also the Annual General Meeting  where Aba, Umuahia and Iskpo branches signified interest to the house to host the next summit, and were told to present a formal bid to the Excos for consideration. {I know my friends from the North will not buy the idea}.
Later in the evening all roads led to the venue of the young Lawyers Party where the summit officially came to an end.
It is trite knowledge that the way the profession is structured does not provide respite for young lawyers, which is why many who would have loved to attend could not. It would however be unfair not to appreciate the efforts of branches and senior colleagues who supported their members to be part of this educative, exciting, and entertaining summit. Thank you very much.
Kudos to the Executives of NBA/YLF under the leadership of Barbara Omosun Esq who despite the complaints of shortage of funds did well to organise the summit and didn’t disappoint the expectations of majority of the participants.
We on our part, would continue to bring to our followers and readers the capacity building tips learnt at the summit.
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