Learning the practice of the law is not the same as learning the
law. In my humble views, I am of the views that it might be the
presumption that all lawyers know the law (since they passed
through the higher institution of learning where laws have and or
must have been taught) but it would be a wrong conclusion to
presume that all lawyers know the practice of the law.
More so, since the practice of the law is determined by the time
and energy invested in the practice by the lawyer, I am of the
considered advice to young lawyers by this paper, to always
prioritise learning the practice of the law to money, especially
lawyers in private practice.
In my humble view, there are many career opportunities in law. A
young lawyer determines his ambition, even though in some
occasions, the ambition turns out to being different from the
initial ambition. Money is destined by God Almighty to come at its
own destined time. However, practice is what has to be learnt and
acquired with some potential. I also view that no one or law firm
is capable of paying a lawyer salary and other emoluments that
would make a lawyer fulfilled in private practice. That is why I
view that it favours a lawyer to learn some practice trainings or
pupilage in a law firm or a law office.
The economic situation in Nigeria though has a great negative
contribution, which makes it a matter of urgency for a lawyer who
is called to bar to be in need of money as he is now seen as a
lawyer, a noble man, a rich man, etc, by some of his family
members, his parents, friends and others, because he is a lawyer.
But unfortunately, he disappoints them by not having money to win
their hearts. Also, I have observed that to some persons or
families, the worst in-law to ever have is a lawyer. That is
because a lawyer called to bar hardly makes money for some years,
except by God’s grace. Medical practitioners are friends of the
family because at least, he can make some money higher in
percentage compared to a lawyer. Nevertheless, all these situations
should not discourage a lawyer from his determination to learn the
practice of the law.
Furthermore, it is important to note that there are lots of
risks attached to a lawyer practicing the law without having learnt
or learning the practice and the practice is better learnt by doing
the practice, the situation which makes it very important for a
lawyer to find a law firm or law office to first learn the practice
of the law for at least six months and to find an instructor or
mentor from whom he gets instructions or mentorship on how to
proffer solutions to his challenges in practice.
Nevertheless, I agree that there are some lawyers that are
gifted of the practice of the law and who can actually cope along
the way, but these persons are in very few numbers. So, on these
facts, I would advise young lawyers to find a law office or law
firm to be attached to for his pupilage even if the law office or
firm does not have any money to pay, though it might seem very
difficult to survive in such situation, I view that it is better
than for a lawyer to remain in search of a job for six months
without any. Even where the lawyer gets a job, he might be
frustrated where he has no practice knowledge of the law. More so,
it is still very uneasy to find a law office or firm to be attached
to whether on paid or non-paid relationship. Then, he makes his
money as time goes on, especially when he establishes his own law
office or law firm either alone or in partnership with other
lawyer(s).
Finally, I hope that this very brief write up is really
understood and not misconstrued and that it would guide a young
lawyer to be encouraged in learning the practice of the law at all
costs.
e-mail: hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com[1]
References
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hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com
(nairalaw.com)