Positioning The Young Lawyers For A Better Future Of The Bar

I will start by a very apt quote of the famous BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN which goes thus “Tell me and I forget.

Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”. The very day I
saw this quote, I wasted no time in relating to it because it
totally spoke to my situation at that time.

Just few months into my legal career after my call to bar as a
youth corps member under the mandatory NYSC scheme. With the hunger
of a lion in the forest, the thirst of a camel who has gone days
without drinking water in the desert and with the inquisitiveness
of a child I began my service year in a highly reputable law office
of a learned senior lawyer hoping to hit the ground running by
getting involved in drafting processes and subsequently having the
opportunity to stage solo appearances in at least (with due
respect) the lower courts in order to start developing my self
confidence.

But to my greatest dismay these wishes seldom came through, and
as a result, I began to doubt the development I had dreamt of
achieving in my early years of practice. Interestingly, I was not a
lone soldier, as a lot of my passionate colleagues also plying
their trades in the law offices of learned senior lawyers
especially the learned silks share similar experience like me or
maybe even worst because some of them whom I encountered lament
that they are not even allowed access to files in their various
offices.

They never get the opportunity to stage a solo appearance in
court to express their selves in order to develop their confidence.
As if that is just a tip of an iceberg, some young lawyers who are
2-3 years post call also lament that they are yet to stage a solo
appearance in court. I am more pained when I see some of my
colleagues who accompany a more senior lawyer to court just to
mention a case.

When the young lawyers should have been left to do that very
easy task that can be handled even by a law school student. The
main reason always given by senior lawyers to young lawyers for the
lack of opportunity given is “INEXPERIENCE”. Yes, experience
differs with the number of years in practice. But it is also
undeniable that experience is gotten from constant practice,
mistakes and corrections of mistakes.

It is noteworthy that all the professional services that could
be offered by a learned silk can also be offered by a new wig. What
stands out however is the level of experience used in rendering the
professional services. It goes without saying that every passionate
young lawyer like me, believes in their abilities as such what we
crave more beyond the much needed wages is the experience gotten
from the constant practice as a result of the opportunities given
to us to develop in the profession. Experience is never gotten
overnight but rather overtime.

And experience is the end result of years of practice, mistakes
and guidance. Passion is what drives us and keeps us in the
practice with the hope that someday we will be at the top of the
game like the learned silks who we look up to, and who would never
hesitate to always remind the young lawyers of their struggle in
the early years of practice.

They are also honest to tell us that they are where they are
today not just because of the hard work, dedication, patience they
put in but also because of the much needed opportunities they got
from their seniors then. Therefore, there is no gainsaying that the
young lawyers are the future of the bar that play a major role in
the development of legal profession, as such should be positioned
well in the profession through the provision of the basic things
like adequate remuneration and also involvement in the affairs of
the daily practice for a better bar.

The resultant effect of neglecting the welfare of the young
lawyers is apparently what I may call “practice apathy” which
portends a great danger to our profession. A profession that is not
just instrumental to the development of Nigeria as a country but
also as the last hope of the common man.

It is the humble firm view of this writer that, the bar is no
doubt better with the presence of the young lawyers who need to be
encouraged by adequate remuneration, opportunities to thrive,
guidance and support which is not too much to ask for in order to
keep the passion burning for the young lawyers. The Nigerian bar
association is also tasked to ensure that the young lawyers are
well positioned.

Shuaib Sheriff Adukke, Ssadukkes12@gmail.com^[1]