The legal profession is a very important profession all around
the world. As an important discipline, it has its own rules guiding
how the profession is to be operated and regulated. All over the
world, there are laid down rules dealing with the ethics of the
profession. In Nigeria, the average man believes that the
profession is for the rich and noble and so there is always a kind
of expectation from family members and friends from the one who has
studied Law. To some, it is enough to be called a Lawyer or the
mother, father or even sibling of one. But ironically, that has not
been the case with some folks who have bagged the prestigious
degree of Law. This piece will expose perhaps to those who do not
know, some stars or celebrities that did study Law, but for passion
chose to pursue other professions completely outside, and not in
any way close to the profession. Also, we shall consider some
professions, trade or business outside law that someone who has
studied Law can easily practice.
What You Can Do with a Law Degree (Besides Practice
Law)
- SAMUEL SOCHUKWUMA OKWARAJI– A
FOOTBALLER: Born on the 19th of May, 1964, Sam
Okwaraji as he was popularly called was a professional footballer
who played for the Nigeria National Team. He was a lawyer with a
Masters Degree in International Law from the University of Rome. He
died on the 12th of August, 1989, of Congestive heart
failure at Lagos in a world cup qualifying match playing for his
father land, Nigeria. - FOLARIN FALANA – MUSICIAN: Folarin
Falana, son of Femi Falana is one of the Nigerian Lawyers that
dumped the profession for something far from it. Folarin Falana
dumped the profession for his singing career. The Artist popularly
known as Falz has won several awards, such as the Best New Act of
the year, Best Rap Act of the Year, Best Street Hop Artiste of the
Year, Best Actor in a Comedy, etc. According to him, singing and
entertaining are his passion, therefore he sings for passion.
Folarin Falana is just 27 years old. - LEPACIOUS BOSE – A COMEDIAN: Who
could ever think that someone will dump the Law profession for
comedy? Well, that’s the case with Bose. Lepacious Bose is one of
the few female comedians in the Industry. She is actually a
graduate of Theatre Art from the University of Ibadan before
finally choosing to read Law. However after being called to the
Nigerian Bar in 2010, she chose to do comedy instead of practicing
Law as a profession. - TARA FELA DUROTOYE – A MAKEUP ARTIST,
CEO: Tara is a Nigerian lawyer who ended up as a Makeup
artist. The Delta born lawyer launched the First Bridal Directory
1999 and established the first makeup school in Nigeria. She is the
CEO of House of Tara International and creator of the Tara
Orekelewa Beauty Range, Inspired Perfume and HIP Beauty Range.
Indeed she has done a lot in her area of passion making her to be
listed by Forbes in 2013 as one of the 20 young Power women in
Africa and also awarded the Africa SMME award and Entrepreneur
award in South Africa amongst others. - RICHARD MOFE-DAMIJO – AN ACTOR: The
Delta State born Veteran Actor is a graduate of Law from the
University of Lagos. Popularly known for his gentle-man-role, the
Actor has won several awards in his acting career including the
African Movie Academic Award. Mofe was the former commissioner of
Culture and Tourism, to the Delta State Government. Apart from
Richard Mofe Damijo, there are other actors and actresses that are
lawyers by profession.
The personalities listed above chose the unexpected
professions out of passion and not necessary because of the harsh
economy condition they faced. Beside this however, there are some
professions or trades that persons with Law Degree can venture into
and perform as professionals. Viz:
- Politician: There are many persons with the
Law degree that have ventured into politics. It seems like the
knowledge of the Law gives some Lawyers quite a reasonable amount
of knowledge about governance. One can imagine mixing Political
Science and Law together. There are many Nigerian politicians that
are lawyers by profession. E.g. Seriake Dickson, the Executive
Governor of Bayelsa State (Former Attorney General of Bayelsa
State, and Former member, House of Representative), Nyesom Wike,
the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo
Akeredolu, SAN, Executive Governor of Ondo State, etc. - Secretary: Lawyers are qualified persons to be
appointed as Secretaries of Companies as recognized under the
Companies and Allied Matters Act. Hence, Lawyers at the Nigerian
Law School are thought basic writing skills fit for a Secretary.
Such as letter writing, memo, essays, resolutions, notices,
minutes, etc. - Officer: Lawyers can as well be part of the
Military. There are many Lawyers currently in the Nigerian Armed
Forces working in the Legal Department. However, Lawyers appearing
in the Court Martial are to appear in their capacity as officers
and not as Legal Practitioners. Lawyers can as well work in the
Police Force or similar Law enforcement agencies to help in giving
legal advice, and as well in prosecuting criminal matters when the
need arises. - Journalist: Lawyers can as well venture into
legal journalism, in which place their knowledge of the law becomes
useful. - Criminologist: Criminology is another
important profession where a Lawyer can function very well. A
perfect knowledge of Criminal law and the Criminal justice system
would be an added advantage to function as a criminologist. - Lawmaker: A lawyer can function perfectly well
as a Lawmaker. Basic drafting skills and advocacy are essential in
Professional Ethics and Skill.
Passion is the driving force to excellence, with it, men can
do the unexpected.
Ebi Robert Co-Editor, Nairalaw
The legal profession is a very important profession all around
the world. As an important discipline, it has its own rules guiding
how the profession is to be operated and regulated. All over the
world, there are laid down rules dealing with the ethics of the
profession. In Nigeria, the average man believes that the
profession is for the rich and noble and so there is always a kind
of expectation from family members and friends from the one who has
studied Law. To some, it is enough to
be called a Lawyer or the mother, father or even sibling of one.
But ironically, that has not been the case with some folks who have
bagged the prestigious degree of Law. This piece will expose
perhaps to those who do not know, some stars or celebrities that
did study Law, but for passion chose to pursue other professions
completely outside, and not in any way close to the profession.
Also, we shall consider some professions, trade or business outside
law that someone who has studied Law can easily practice.
What You Can Do with a Law Degree (Besides Practice
Law)
- SAMUEL SOCHUKWUMA OKWARAJI– A
FOOTBALLER: Born on the 19th of May, 1964, Sam
Okwaraji as he was popularly called was a professional footballer
who played for the Nigeria National Team. He was a lawyer with a
Masters Degree in International Law from the University of Rome. He
died on the 12th of August, 1989, of Congestive heart
failure at Lagos in a world cup qualifying match playing for his
father land, Nigeria. - FOLARIN FALANA – MUSICIAN: Folarin
Falana, son of Femi Falana is one of the Nigerian Lawyers that
dumped the profession for something far from it. Folarin Falana
dumped the profession for his singing career. The Artist popularly
known as Falz has won several awards, such as the Best New Act of
the year, Best Rap Act of the Year, Best Street Hop Artiste of the
Year, Best Actor in a Comedy, etc. According to him, singing and
entertaining are his passion, therefore he sings for passion.
Folarin Falana is just 27 years old. - LEPACIOUS BOSE – A COMEDIAN: Who
could ever think that someone will dump the Law profession for
comedy? Well, that’s the case with Bose. Lepacious Bose is one of
the few female comedians in the Industry. She is actually a
graduate of Theatre Art from the University of Ibadan before
finally choosing to read Law. However after being called to the
Nigerian Bar in 2010, she chose to do comedy instead of practicing
Law as a profession. - TARA FELA DUROTOYE – A MAKEUP ARTIST,
CEO: Tara is a Nigerian lawyer who ended up as a Makeup
artist. The Delta born lawyer launched the First Bridal Directory
1999 and established the first makeup school in Nigeria. She is the
CEO of House of Tara International and creator of the Tara
Orekelewa Beauty Range, Inspired Perfume and HIP Beauty Range.
Indeed she has done a lot in her area of passion making her to be
listed by Forbes in 2013 as one of the 20 young Power women in
Africa and also awarded the Africa SMME award and Entrepreneur
award in South Africa amongst others. - RICHARD MOFE-DAMIJO – AN ACTOR: The
Delta State born Veteran Actor is a graduate of Law from the
University of Lagos. Popularly known for his gentle-man-role, the
Actor has won several awards in his acting career including the
African Movie Academic Award. Mofe was the former commissioner of
Culture and Tourism, to the Delta State Government. Apart from
Richard Mofe Damijo, there are other actors and actresses that are
lawyers by profession.
The personalities listed above chose the unexpected
professions out of passion and not necessary because of the harsh
economy condition they faced. Beside this however, there are some
professions or trades that persons with Law Degree can venture into
and perform as professionals. Viz:
- Politician: There are many persons with the
Law degree that have ventured into politics. It seems like the
knowledge of the Law gives some Lawyers quite a reasonable amount
of knowledge about governance. One can imagine mixing Political
Science and Law together. There are many Nigerian politicians that
are lawyers by profession. E.g. Seriake Dickson, the Executive
Governor of Bayelsa State (Former Attorney General of Bayelsa
State, and Former member, House of Representative), Nyesom Wike,
the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo
Akeredolu, SAN, Executive Governor of Ondo State, etc. - Secretary: Lawyers are qualified persons to be
appointed as Secretaries of Companies as recognized under the
Companies and Allied Matters Act. Hence, Lawyers at the Nigerian
Law School are thought basic writing skills fit for a Secretary.
Such as letter writing, memo, essays, resolutions, notices,
minutes, etc. - Officer: Lawyers can as well be part of the
Military. There are many Lawyers currently in the Nigerian Armed
Forces working in the Legal Department. However, Lawyers appearing
in the Court Martial are to appear in their capacity as officers
and not as Legal Practitioners. Lawyers can as well work in the
Police Force or similar Law enforcement agencies to help in giving
legal advice, and as well in prosecuting criminal matters when the
need arises. - Journalist: Lawyers can as well venture into
legal journalism, in which place their knowledge of the law becomes
useful. - Criminologist: Criminology is another
important profession where a Lawyer can function very well. A
perfect knowledge of Criminal law and the Criminal justice system
would be an added advantage to function as a criminologist. - Lawmaker: A lawyer can function perfectly well
as a Lawmaker. Basic drafting skills and advocacy are essential in
Professional Ethics and Skill.
Passion is the driving force to excellence, with it, men can
do the unexpected.
Ebi Robert Co-Editor, Nairalaw
Read more https://nairalaw.com/what-you-can-do-with-a-law-degree-besides-practice-law/