Young lawyers can be often found bemoaning a dearth of proper
guidance and mentorship in the legal profession. Consequently, it’s
not uncommon to see quite a substantial number of talented
youngsters give up their dreams of practising. Quite tragic.
You see, the challenge is not desire. There is a swelling throng
of these raw talents wishing for more, but in the absence of firm
but benevolent hands to help with some form of sound counsel, other
options are considered then adopted.
Unfortunately, young lawyers scan the horizon for some form of
hope, only to get rebuffed. This daunting nature of affairs
triggers disillusionment and in due course, some begin to liken the
profession to a wasteland to scavenge. This is where older legal
luminaries ought to step in but alas, far too few of them harbour
such progressive and mentoring interests.
In this regard, Paul Usoro, SAN, remains a leading light. His
conduct here is not scorching. They are not feeble attempts on the
precipice of death like cold embers either. It is the simple but
compelling glow of his passion to provide proper guidance for the
untested, the diamonds in the rough.
The significance of youth empowerment and proper mentorship as a
young lawyer is not lost on a man like Mr Paul Usoro, SAN. He has
often gone on record to express how dear the development of his
younger learned colleagues is to his heart. His reputation as a man
drawn to people is actually rivalled by his gravitation towards
sharing his wealth of experience and knowledge with younger
colleagues.
What are the facts that prove this about the esteemed Senior
Advocate of Nigeria? Is there some tangible strand of evidence to
prove that his legacy to the youth is not an urban legend?
Unsurprisingly, you do not need to look too far to find proof.
At his firm, Paul Usoro & Co (PUC), it’s the law firm policy
to ensure that post NYSC young lawyers enjoy six (6) figures start
salaries (minimum of N150,000.00) and are encouraged to tap into
the sustainable growth scheme of the firm. In addition to the
salary, young lawyers also benefit from the Firm`s
annual profit sharing and bonus schemes.. The idea is not to use
money as a sole incentive but to ensure that employees get the
right start in the profession.
Furthermore, at least half of the other partners at PUC are
products of the mentorship blueprint woven into Paul Usoro’s DNA.
Mrs Adetola Bucknor Taiwo, who is a Transaction Partner at the
firm, rose from an entry-level position post call and progressed
rapidly to her position today in roughly half a decade. Mr Muniru
Liadi, the Litigation Partner, is also an immense success story as
he began at the firm just after completing his National Youth
Service scheme and is a partner today.
Mr Usoro, not one to rest on his oars, initiated the “Paul Usoro
Challenge Programme” to ensure that young lawyers can get hands-on
experience in advocacy and pro-bono work. The programme engages
younger legal professionals in a way that sees them have their
skills harnessed, put to the test and perfected while arming them
with a sense of the ethical implications of real-world applications
of the law.
These instances illustrate Mr Usoro’s commitment to ensuring
that the careers of young lawyers progress meaningfully.
He is currently on the Faculty of the Nigerian Institute of
Advanced Legal Studies, underlining his passion for younger
lawyers. Paul Usoro also focuses on young lawyers with so much
gusto that it’s not difficult to come across him doling out advice
anytime he can. Much more formally he has written quite a number of
papers and scholarly texts. These papers undoubtedly leave a trail
of invaluable knowledge leading all the way to the dizzying heights
of the profession.
It is worthy of note that all the activities mentioned in this
article predate Mr. Usoro`s ambition to contest for the Presidency
of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Ultimately, the best legacies are there for all to see, with
empirical evidence to naysay any detractors. In Paul Usoro’s case,
it’s quite overwhelming, especially for the young lawyer at the
start of a potentially long career, seeking motivation and
meaningful guidance.
I stand with Paul Usoro who is putting you
first.
Young lawyers can be often found bemoaning a dearth of proper
guidance and mentorship in the legal profession. Consequently, it’s
not uncommon to see quite a substantial number of talented
youngsters give up their dreams of practising. Quite
tragic.
You see, the challenge is not desire. There is a swelling throng
of these raw talents wishing for more, but in the absence of firm
but benevolent hands to help with some form of sound counsel, other
options are considered then adopted.
Unfortunately, young lawyers scan the horizon for some form of
hope, only to get rebuffed. This daunting nature of affairs
triggers disillusionment and in due course, some begin to liken the
profession to a wasteland to scavenge. This is where older legal
luminaries ought to step in but alas, far too few of them harbour
such progressive and mentoring interests.
In this regard, Paul Usoro, SAN, remains a leading light. His
conduct here is not scorching. They are not feeble attempts on the
precipice of death like cold embers either. It is the simple but
compelling glow of his passion to provide proper guidance for the
untested, the diamonds in the rough.
The significance of youth empowerment and proper mentorship as a
young lawyer is not lost on a man like Mr Paul Usoro, SAN. He has
often gone on record to express how dear the development of his
younger learned colleagues is to his heart. His reputation as a man
drawn to people is actually rivalled by his gravitation towards
sharing his wealth of experience and knowledge with younger
colleagues.
What are the facts that prove this about the esteemed Senior
Advocate of Nigeria? Is there some tangible strand of evidence to
prove that his legacy to the youth is not an urban legend?
Unsurprisingly, you do not need to look too far to find proof.
At his firm, Paul Usoro & Co (PUC), it’s the law firm policy
to ensure that post NYSC young lawyers enjoy six (6) figures start
salaries (minimum of N150,000.00) and are encouraged to tap into
the sustainable growth scheme of the firm. In addition to the
salary, young lawyers also benefit from the Firm`s
annual profit sharing and bonus schemes.. The idea is not to use
money as a sole incentive but to ensure that employees get the
right start in the profession.
Furthermore, at least half of the other partners at PUC are
products of the mentorship blueprint woven into Paul Usoro’s DNA.
Mrs Adetola Bucknor Taiwo, who is a Transaction Partner at the
firm, rose from an entry-level position post call and progressed
rapidly to her position today in roughly half a decade. Mr Muniru
Liadi, the Litigation Partner, is also an immense success story as
he began at the firm just after completing his National Youth
Service scheme and is a partner today.
Mr Usoro, not one to rest on his oars, initiated the “Paul Usoro
Challenge Programme” to ensure that young lawyers can get hands-on
experience in advocacy and pro-bono work. The programme engages
younger legal professionals in a way that sees them have their
skills harnessed, put to the test and perfected while arming them
with a sense of the ethical implications of real-world applications
of the law.
These instances illustrate Mr Usoro’s commitment to ensuring
that the careers of young lawyers progress meaningfully.
He is currently on the Faculty of the Nigerian Institute of
Advanced Legal Studies, underlining his passion for younger
lawyers. Paul Usoro also focuses on young lawyers with so much
gusto that it’s not difficult to come across him doling out advice
anytime he can. Much more formally he has written quite a number of
papers and scholarly texts. These papers undoubtedly leave a trail
of invaluable knowledge leading all the way to the dizzying heights
of the profession.
It is worthy of note that all the activities mentioned in this
article predate Mr. Usoro`s ambition to contest for the Presidency
of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Ultimately, the best legacies are there for all to see, with
empirical evidence to naysay any detractors. In Paul Usoro’s case,
it’s quite overwhelming, especially for the young lawyer at the
start of a potentially long career, seeking motivation and
meaningful guidance.
I stand with Paul Usoro who is putting you
first.