Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, DSSR (Rtd.) Keynote Address On The Occasion Of NBA YLF Degema Branches Symposium Held On The 2nd Day Of November, 2023 At The NBA House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Protocols.
It is with great pleasure that I stand before you as the guest speaker at this remarkable Young Lawyers Summit, centered on the theme: “The Young Lawyers Roadmap: Navigating New Beginnings:Transition and Growth”.
I commend the leadership of the Young Lawyers Forum, Degema Branch, for pursuing the mission and vision of the Nigerian Bar Association with a high passion.
I thank the forum for deeming me fit to be the guest speaker in this summit.
Let me start with the dialectics or dissection of the theme of this summit to drive home the theme with vividness.
Who is a Young Lawyer?
What is the Roadmap?
What does navigating new beginning entail?
What is transition and growth?
By NBA Bye law, a Young Lawyer is a Lawyer of zero to seven years at the Bar or post call. The young lawyer’s roadmap means his vision, his direction, his path towards the attainment of his goal in the legal profession.
A young lawyer’s goal or destination disciplines his legal practice as a young lawyer. Where will you as a young lawyer envision yourself or where will you see yourself in ten, twenty or thirty years at the Bar and how do you work painstakingly or assiduously towards your goal of becoming a successful legal practitioner, a Magistrate, a Judge, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria or a State Counsel, or a top functionary of a private or public sector establishments?The terms, “Navigating new beginning” and “Transition and Growth of a young lawyer coalesce or melt into or merge into this coinage or topic:-“Successful transition of a young lawyer to seniority and professionalism in the legal profession”.
This alternative or reframed topic captures the thematic essence of this symposium.
Man’s earthly existence revolves around transition. Change is inevitable. Every lawyer, young or senior, underwent and still undergoes transition.
In the life of any lawyer, young and old, there is the inevitable transition from being a law student of a University to a young lawyer upon graduation; to seniority at the Bar, to the prestigious rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to appointment or elevation to the Bench, depending on the lawyer’s goal.
The question is, how does a young lawyer navigate the transition?
Being a young lawyer is overwhelming or challenging. Every lawyer in Nigeria, in fact all over the world, was once a young lawyer who passed through transition to seniority at the Bar.
The population of lawyers in Nigeria is on the increase and every year new wigs well over a thousand are called to the Bar by the Body of Benchers.
This event symbolizes the tremendous potential and significant role you, the Young Lawyers, play in shaping the future of the legal profession. As we embark on this journey together, we find ourselves at a crossroad – a juncture where the past meets the present, and where legal landscape the present lays the foundation for an extraordinary future. The is continuously evolving, presenting unprecedented challenges and unparalleled opportunities.
It is through this collective vision and the spirit of community that we must navigate the changing tides.
The theme, “Navigating New Beginnings: Transition and Growth”, encapsulates the essence of your careers, as you traverse the path from law school to the daunting world of legal practice. In an era of rapid technological advancements, globalization and a shifting sociopolitical climate, your role as young lawyers has never been more pivotal. Your aptitude to adapt, learn, and embrace new avenues of legal practice will determine your success on this transformative journey.As you embark on this roadmap to success, I urge you to remember a few fundamental principles. First and foremost, never underestimate the power of knowledge. Continuous learning should be ingrained in your ethos. Stay curious, read extensively, and always keep yourself abreast of the latest legal developments. The fact that you are here today demonstrates your eagerness to learn and grow – a commendable quality that will undoubtedly shape your future. 
Secondly, embrace the power of collaboration. The legal profession, more than ever, thrives on synergy and innovation. Seek out mentors, connect with your peers, and collaborate across disciplines. The solutions to tomorrow’s legal challenges will often emerge from these unexpected collaborations.
Remember, success is seldom a solitary pursuit; it requires a network of like-minded individuals who share your passion for justice.
Lastly, commit to maintaining the highest ethical standards. The legal profession is built on the foundation of trust and integrity. Upholding these values will not only enhance your reputation but will also instill faith in the justice system. Always prioritize the pursuit of justice above personal gain, and let fairness guide your professional conduct.
This summit provides us with a unique platform to engage in discussions, share experiences and explore innovative strategies that will shape the future of our profession.
The topics of discourse in this summit are apt, relevant, intellectually stimulating and beneficial to all lawyers, young and old – Copyright protection in the 21st century and the challenges of digitalization; Combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria; the Data Protection Act 2023 as a panacea and the need for further legislative intervention, etc. I trust that the notable speakers will do justice to these topics.
This is not merely a gathering of young lawyers; rather, it represents a collective commitment to the advancement of justice and the empowerment of our communities.
As you navigate this roadmap to success, I implore you to be bold, resilient and embrace change. The legal landscape will undoubtedly.
Present significant challenges, but with each challenge, there lies the potential for growth and personal development. Remember, it is during times of transition that we truly discover our mettle or talent.
From a synthesis of all that I have said above, I invite young lawyers specifically to the following strategies or practical steps for successful transition in legal practice which embrace professionalism, good ethics and civility.
Pupilage.
For effective and efficient legal practice and growth, a young lawyer is expected to undergo years of pupilage in a law firm with a senior lawyer who has a clear vision, follows that vision and helps the young lawyer to find his path to his goal.
One is not unmindful of the reluctance or problem of recruiting and retaining young lawyers by law offices or senior lawyers due to lack of space, difficulty of paying salaries by some seniors, senior – junior relationship issues and the poor work attitude or impatience of some young lawyers. You should exhibit passion for legal practice.
This include love for your office or the profession and the due discharge of assignment given by your Boss and preparing your client’s case.
It is not all lawyers that engage in active private legal practice; some lawyers seek employment elsewhere; in either case, it is advisable to undergo some years of pupilage in a law office and not to engage in directionless solo practice.
There is need for team work in legal practice or partnerships.2. The utmost need to observe the Rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners 2007.
A good lawyer, young or old, is not only one who is legally sound. Strict observance or adherence to the ethics at the Bar, in the court room, out of court and in his/her dealings with clients and the lay world is advisable. The Rules of the courts you conduct cases ought to be the young lawyer’s companion.
A breach or violation of the Rules of conduct by a legal practitioner attracts disciplinary action by the Body of Benchers through its legal practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
This is not a forum to deepen your knowledge of your duties as provided by the Rules which every lawyer is thought at the Law school, but it bears reminding that they include your duties under the following headings:
Lawyers as officer of court: Duty of lawyers to court and conduct in court, Candid and fair dealing, Trial publicity,
Relation with Judges,
Lawyer and Tribunal,
Courtroom decorum,
Employment in criminal cases,
and Lawyer for indigent accused.
See Rules 30 to 38 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007.
I must emphasize that a lawyer should always accord due respect to the court no matter the age or your opinion or perception of the Judex – Judge or Magistrate.
MENTORSHIP/ROLE MODEL.
There is hardly any lawyer today who rose to seniority; prominence or distinction at the Bar without the support or motivation of a mentor, a role model.
We need the invaluable counsel of a senior lawyer, a mentor who motivates, in moulding young lawyer’s career and helps in navigating the web or demands of legal practice, senior lawyers should place premium on the mentorship of young lawyers as they are “the trustees of posterity”, as Benjamin Disraeli puts it, And that is why the Body of Benchers engage in mentorship programmes for young lawyers to develop their advocacy skills, to ensure their growth and transition to successful legal practice or the attainment of the goal of a young lawyer.
READING /TRAINING/CONTINUOUS LEGAL EDUCATION.
Reading widely generally and especially law reports and applicable laws by a lawyer makes him to be up-to-date or current, otherwise he becomes outdated, inefficient, ineffective and unsuccessful in the practice of law.
You must read your case file and be ready for trial before going to the court and avoid frivolous and needless adjournments.
You do not have to wait to have a brief or case before reading relevant law reports or the laws. You should be abreast of striking and current principles of law and the Rules of the courts.
A lawyer should strive to acquire competence in the art of advocacy and written communications. English language, they say, is the lawyers tool of trade.
Be ever ready to plead and defend the cause of your client. participation in workshops, conferences and symposia has the invaluable advantage of training and retraining of a lawyer and in sharpening his skills, intellect, currency of legal knowledge and imagination.
Continuous legal education of lawyers is beneficial to the legal profession.
5. RESPECT FOR SENIORITY.
The legal profession is a stickler to seniority. There is discipline at the Bar. The respect you accord a senior lawyer today will also be accorded you by a junior when you attain seniority.
As a logical corollary, the legal profession thrives on friendship at the Bar among lawyers, young and old, even in the face of contentions in litigation. Lawyers do not share the adversity or animosity of their clients, despite the vagaries of litigation.
BE I.C.T AND ADR FRIENDLY.
We live in an age of science and technology where information technology is applied to judicial process and adjudication in our courts.
Alternative Dispute Resolution is a welcome modern
approach to dispute resolution in local and continental jurisdictions, as distinct from our adversarial jurisprudence.
APPROVED DRESS CODE FOR LAWYERS.
A good lawyer should not only abide by the dress code but must be properly and decently dressed in and out of courtroom. As a conservative and regulated profession, the adherence to the approved dress code is one of the distinguishing attributes of the nobility of the legal profession.
INTEGRITY:
Integrity should be the watch word of every lawyer, young or old, at the Bar. Successful legal practice and big law chambers are built on integrity.
A good lawyer who commands respect and relevance is a lawyer with integrity who behaves ethically and does the right thing, even out of court, in the society. Integrity is the life of a lawyer; take away his integrity, he loses his relevance, regard and respect in the legal profession and society.
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you. Your dedication to the legal profession and your unwavering pursuit of justice inspire us all. Let us embrace this summit as a catalyst for positive change.
Let us seize the opportunities that lie ahead and pave the way for a brighter future.
Together, we will navigate these new beginnings, transcend transitions, and grow into the pillars of tomorrow’s legal world.
Thank you, and may this summit be an enriching experience for us all.
©️Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli DSSRS (Rtd.)
Chairman Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC)
