THE JOURNEY OF A YOUNG LAWYER; HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ADEKUNLE CHARLES Esq)

The purpose of this interview session is aimed at drawing from wealth of experience and knowledge. Our inspiration is from the words of EUGENE C.BLACKARD:

‘’Never be afraid to ask for direction on how to practice law more effectively. Everyone is afraid to look foolish but the practice of law is a collaborative endeavor. You don’t get to practice law by yourself’’

AND CYNDEE TODGHAM CHERNIAK:

           

‘’Embrace the fact that in your first year of practice that you are still learning. Law school does not teach you everything that you need to know to practice law-far from it’’

              

  ABOUT CHARLES OLANIYI ADEKUNLE

He is a Lawyer, his Trailblazer, a man passionate about raising a generation of young people for purpose Leadership. His currently undergoing his compulsory Youth Service Corp in Abuja at D.D. DODO & CO

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND, AND DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR CHOICE OF LAW?

I am Charles Adekunle. I’m from Kogi State. I spent the first twelve years of my life growing up with my grandparents in Kogi State where I attended Primary and secondary schools. My family background had nothing to do with my choice to study law. As a matter of fact, my family was against my decision to study law because there was a perception that lawyers are too many and are poorly paid. They wanted me to do something in the sciences. Studying law was simply something I really wanted to do and ended up doing.

WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE WHILE GROWING UP?

I cannot particularly point to one person as being the biggest influence. I had a lot of people who had positive influence over me from my Grandfather to my teachers. However, I was fascinated by the things I heard and read about Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was a lawyer and a politician. I also read about Aare Afe Babalola, Nelson Mandela and others. Well, I am still growing up and my role models keep evolving, currently I admire our Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, as he is an embodiment of so many things I want to be. 

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO STUDY LAW?

I was inspired to study law because I wanted to fight for the oppressed and indigent people in the society. I wanted to defend people’s interest and ensure that they get access to justice. I will read in the newspaper how people were arrested and locked up and I wished I could do something for them. I was also very interested in political affairs and people said I could talk and argue very well, so I reasoned that I am going to make an awesome lawyer someday.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY EXPERIENCE YOU HAD AS A YOUNG LAWYER?

Haha. I am still a young lawyer. I have had the opportunity of actively participating in different aspects of law practice. As part of the team advising one of our clients on its multi-billion naira housing project, I have been able to work with the best minds in the legal profession to proffer timely and sound legal advice under tasking scenarios.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED AS A YOUNG LAWYER?

Well, I will not call them challenges. I will rather refer to them as realities. I think the realities that young lawyers face is dependent on their environment. Personally, I have realized that the practice of law isn’t really as fast paced as one would ordinarily expect. There’s a process for everything. You don’t just start kicking ass or settling Supreme Court briefs immediately.   

HOW WAS YOUR FIRST JOB INTERVIEW?

My first interview went well. There was that initial nervousness. I faced a panel of four Partners of a prestigious law firm. My first law related question was on the definition of contract and the sufficiency of consideration. For someone who had just finished from the law school, I was ordinarily expecting mergers and corporate restructuring and what-not. It showed me that you can never be over-prepared for an interview and you should expect your interviewer to ask anything.    

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR/ROLE MODEL IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

My role model is Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. I have learnt a lot from many superb pacesetters in the legal profession especially Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN in whose firm I interned during my undergraduate years and 

during the law school externship programme and Mr. D. D. Dodo SAN, my current Principal.

IN OTHER COUNTRIES THEY ENCOURAGE TUTELAGE AND MENTORSHIP AS A REQUIREMENT FOR EVERY YOUNG LAWYERS, WILL YOU SUPPORT A LEGISLATION MAKING IT COMPULSORY FOR EVERY YOUNG LAWYER TO UNDERGO TUTELAGE?

I will not support such legislation as we will not be able to agree on the adequate number of years. I think tutelage should be proactively encouraged rather than legislated. While every lawyer can decide to open his own practice as soon as he is called to the Nigerian Bar, it is my opinion that every lawyer should undergo tutelage for at least 2 - 3 years.  

WHAT IS THE STATE OF WELFARE OF YOUNG LAWYERS IN NIGERIA?

It is a sorry state. The average young lawyer in Nigeria is poorly remunerated and underemployed, most of those employed do not also have job security. Although there are few firms that take the welfare of young lawyers serious, but after studying for so many years, the entry level package for most lawyers is sub-par when compared to other professions. The Bar association still has a long way to go in ensuring that all lawyers irrespective of where they work have an appreciable minimum wage.  

THERE IS A PROVERB THAT; ‘’ALL LAWYERS ARE LIARS”. WHAT WILL YOU DO IF YOU AT A DILEMMA TO REPRESENT A CLIENT BUT HAVE TO BEND THE LAW?

No lawyer worth his onions should ever bend the law. The stream of justice must not be corrupted by the Ministers in the temple of justice. However, there’s a vast difference between using available legal loopholes and “bending the law”. While it is legal and ethical to avail yourself of legal loopholes, it is illegal and unethical to turn the law on its head in the name of satisfying your client. If such a dilemma presents itself, I will politely explain it to the client, insist on the right thing and decline such brief if the client will not make the right decisions. If an unethical client walks out of the door, other ethical clients will come in. In the long run, this will pay off, as the Clients will respect you for your ethical standard and trust that you will not compromise. He will call on you and recommend you to others as that “ethical and honest lawyer”.    

CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU HAVE BEING SURVIVING IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

My principle is to cut my coat according to the cloth I have, not even my size. I think my principles on contentment and knowing how to avoid unnecessary expenses have come in handy.

CAN YOU SAY THE LEGAL EDUCATION IN THE UNIVERSITY AND LAW SCHOOL ADEQUATELY PREPARED YOU AS A YOUNG LAWYER FOR LEGAL PRACTICE IN REALITY?

I attended the Better By Far University of Ilorin where I served as the Head of the Faculty’s Legal Aid Clinic for two years. I think my participation in clinical activities and other activities such as moot, mock, client counselling etc did go a long way in preparing me for legal practice. However, a lawyer is an eternal learner as learning does not end at the gates of the Law school. While the legal education might prepare one for legal practice, the young lawyer must engage in constant professional development in order to keep up with the dynamics of law practice.

WITH YOUR LITTLE EXPOSURE, WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TOP LAW FIRM TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE EMPLOYING A YOUNG LAWYER?

To start with, a very good grade at the university and at the Nigerian Law School. However, grades isn’t everything as you should also be a rounded applicant displaying your capabilities to fit in into the firm’s structure and practice areas.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT NIGERIA STILL NEEDS MORE LAWYERS?

Yes. We have few lawyers in Nigeria when we consider the ratio to our population. In a country of over 180 million citizens, we have less than 150,000 lawyers that have been enrolled at the Supreme Court. By the time you remove the numbers of lawyers that have died in the intervening period, the remaining number is a small percentage of the population. I am not unmindful that some aspects of law practice may become digitized soon, but we still need a lot of lawyers in Nigeria and there will be enough briefs to go round if we can encourage people not to take the laws into their own hands and avoid the shortcut approach to legal issues.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLAN TO START YOUR OWN LAW FIRM? AT WHAT TIME DO YOU PLAN TO DO THIS?

I do not believe that every lawyer eventually has to start a law firm at one point or the other. We have numerous firms that are not viable or sustainable. I strongly believe in partnership which will lead to building up firms that can compete with other firms in the world. So, within the next ten years, I might become a partner in an existing firm or go into a partnership with like minds.

FINALLY SIR, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGAL PROFESSION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA?

The legal profession is the vanguard of the nation. It’s a community of elite learned minds. Every lawyer in Nigeria has a degree of influence and is generally respected in the society. We have to promote the right types of laws, ensure the enforcement of those laws and refuse to be intermediaries for corrupt people. When legal practitioners are incorruptible, it will have its effect on the nation.

‘’EASY DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEANS FAST, SURMOUNT YOUR DIFFICULTIES TODAY, IT WILL PAY OFF REAL GOOD SOON. DARE TO STAND ALONE FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, BECAUSE IT’S A POPULAR CHOICE DOESN’T MAKE IT THE RIGHT CHOICE. THOSE WHO LEFT BEFORE YOU WILL MEET YOU AT THE DESTINATION. THE GREATEST TRAGEDY IS NOT LACK OF SIGHT BUT LACK OF VISION’’ SOLI DEO GLORIA