New Year Resolution By Damilola Alabi
2023 marked a pivotal year for the Justice Sector and the Legal Profession as a whole. Both institutions were placed under microscopic public scrutiny on a scale that is probably historic and unprecedented.
2023 happened to all Nigerians. It gave us Fuel Subsidy ‘removal’, Naira scarcity, economic devaluation and Foreign exchange upheavals. As an Intellectual Property Lawyer, 2003 gave us the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order, the Copyright Act, Data Protection Act, (amended) Evidence Act among others. The Intellectual Property Lawyers Association Nigeria celebrated female IP Lawyers, hosted interesting industry conversations and some very exciting debates on the creator economy.
Whether in our professional or personal lives, a New Year presents an opportunity for reflection and deliberation on ways to provide value, upscale, upskill and upsell legal services to a cynical population of 200 million Nigerians. In an increasingly competitive environment, our resolutions can help move us closer to our goals of becoming better versions of ourselves. Resolutions are a great way to enter the New Year with purpose and focus. Here are 5 New Year resolutions for Nigerian lawyers, with an extra 2 for young lawyers. The last one will shock you!
PS; You can find the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association Nigeria at www.iplan.org.ng or on social media.
1. Embrace Technology: Technology is both a disrupter and a phenomenal tool. While some wait for the day when AI Lawyers will enter appearances in Nigerian Courts (may that day never come), one cannot overemphasize the need to acquire more technology skills to make us work faster, more efficiently, more accurately and more efficiently. We must learn to use accounting software for budgeting and expenses, presentation software for making pitches and presentations to clients and publishing software for multimedia editing. Another goal is for 2024 is to improve on typing accuracy and speed and understanding how to find and analyze big data.
2. Continuing Legal Education: In the legal profession, there is no substitute for knowledge. We are literally paid for our knowledge, advice and expertise and so the more you know, the more you have to give. In the knowledge economy, there is a direct relationship between knowledge and earning. The more you learn, the more you earn. Unfortunately, the converse is the case. Lord Denning said it very eloquently in MacFoy v. United Africa Company Limited (1961) “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stay there- it will collapse.” The latin maxim “Nemo dat quod non habet” translated to mean “You cannot give what you do not have” summarizes this point very aptly. This year, we should resolve to seek out opportunities for continuous legal education. Attend seminars, workshops, and training programs to stay updated on changes in the law, new precedents, and emerging legal trends. We are fortunate that the Institute of Continuing Legal Education under the leadership of Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe is aggressively equipping lawyers with the tools and skills to be competitive in a global economy. A word is enough for the wise.
3. Enhance Client Service It costs more money to get a new client than to sell to an existing client. Cherish and appreciate existing clients whose business you have enjoyed. Focus on strengthening client relationships and adopting better communication, transparency, and empathy towards clients’ needs. This will not only provide a rich experience for the Client, it will help build confidence and trust in your abilities. In the same vein, this may also call for a reevaluation of client relationships that are unhealthy or unfair. In any event, we should learn to manage all relationships with care. Letting go of a client (even a bad client) should be as cordial and professional as possible- you cannot tell where your paths will cross tomorrow.
4. Mental Health and Self-Care: Because Lawyers are often only consulted when Clients have problems, Lawyers have the unfortunate privilege of serving as trash cans and receptacles for Client woes. As any psychiatrist, constantly listening to peoples’ problems has a negative effect on your mental health, whether you’re aware or not. The mental stress often leads to transferred aggression, depression, sadism and other forms of unhealthy expression that affect those around us. In 2024, we should make a deliberate effort to prioritize mental health and self-care. This may involve taking a break or taking steps to manage stress, maintain emotional well-being, and seek support when needed is essential.
5. Pro Bono Service: The inequalities of Nigeria’s criminal justice sector have been brought to the fore recently with the #ENDSARS protest. We live in a country where detention centers are filled with people who are awaiting trial. We live in a country where the police and other law enforcement agents arrest before investigating. Nigeria’s first indigenous lawyer, Sir. Christopher Sapara Williams once said that “a lawyer lives for the direction of his people and for the advancement of the cause of his country.” In 2024, we should dedicate time, no matter how small, to pro bono work. This means providing legal services to those who cannot afford it. This is one way to contribute to society For young Lawyers
6. Negotiate for improved conditions Misery loves company and so it’s no surprise that when young lawyers gather, the conversation often gets to the issue of remuneration, usually in the form of complaints. In 2024, young lawyers should stop complaining and start thinking of how to negotiate for improved terms and conditions of work. As Fee Earners, improved conditions are a function of many factors including the value we bring and the amount of work we are able to turnover. It therefore goes without saying that we must be ready to bring something extra to the table in exchange for demanding improved conditions. Remember, the new scale of charges is a minimum requirement. Improved conditions are not only about money- we can negotiate for improved working hours, shared briefs, profit-sharing, health insurance and other social interventions to help create a healthy work-life balance. Remember, all work and no pay makes Jackie a dull girl.
7. Focus on Work We live in a world where we are bombarded with a constant stream of information every minute. This information stream is a battle for our attention. Distractions from social media, news, politics, instant messaging, etc reduce our ability to focus on work. Law practice is a profession that requires focus, concentration and attention to detail. The other day in court, a senior lawyer was apologizing to an unfazed Court for some typographical errors on a serious application. This scene has become too common today because our diminished attention spans have compromised our ability to be thorough. In 2024, resolve to pay less attention to your mobile phone during work hours, with the exception of break time. If you’re not on break, resist the urge to look at your phone. In fact, if you have some extra time, study a client file, improve on your legal writing, read up on a case file. Using your spare time to work on office business will increase your productivity and provide leverage for negotiating even better conditions.
Damilola Alabi is a member of the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association Nigeria
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