NBA Lagos 2021 Law Week: Migration Of Talents Out Of Law Firms Is A National Issue — Ayuli Jemide

*Lawyers Want To Work In Environment Free Of Toxicity —
Caleb Adebayo
*Law Firms Must Compensate Lawyers By More Than Just Salaries —
Modupe Odele

The annual Law Week of the NBA, Lagos Branch commenced on the
23rd of July, 2021 with the Theme “Disruption, Innovation and the
Bar”. The Six Session of the event featured a heated conversation
on Young Lawyers Minimum Wage, Brain Drain, and Professional
Development. The Panelist on the Session cut across Young Lawyers,
Partners in top Law firms and mid-size Law firms.

Leading the discussion, the Chairman Nigerian Bar Association
Section On Business Law and Managing Partner at Detailed Commercial
Solicitors, Ayuli Jemide, noted that Minimum wage is an interesting
concept that needs to be considered from an entrepreneurial
perspective. He observed that many lawyers cannot pay a minimum
wage because they do not earn the minimum wage. He said wages
should be democratized and the market should determine what people
get paid. Therefore, as a business, Lawyers should freely determine
when to go to firms that pay better.

Jemide also noted that the migration of talents out of law firms
is a national issue not just a law firm issue. He noted that
societally, we are in a cycle that sees a lot of brain drain and
this is due to the economic situations as the take-home of lawyers
has gone down drastically. He, therefore, observed that people are
looking for respite and alternatives.

A young lawyer on the Panel, Caleb Adebayo, who joined the Panel
from New York noted that a number of young lawyers moving abroad
are moving for greener pastures and better earnings. He noted
however that there is a lot that needs to be done in Nigerian law
firms to keep lawyers or to make them return after professional
development courses.

Adebayo further noted that younger lawyers nowadays want to work
in an environment free of toxicity and they want to work in firms
that give meaning to their work.

He stated that there are so many things in Nigerian law firms
which make them unattractive for a return of talents who have
opportunity to leave the Country.

Another Panelist, Modupe Odele, who operates a firm from the U.S
also noted that Law Firms must compensate lawyers by more than just
salaries. She enjoined law firms to give their lawyers visibility
and other forms of compensation. She further added that Lawyers are
more than just mere fee earners and the Law Firms should feed the
dreams of their lawyers.

She further said lawyers need to get employee relations training
and a people’s culture before setting up firms.

*Lawyers Want To Work In Environment Free Of Toxicity —
Caleb Adebayo
*Law Firms Must Compensate Lawyers By More Than Just Salaries —
Modupe Odele

The annual Law Week of the NBA, Lagos Branch commenced on the
23rd of July, 2021 with the Theme “Disruption, Innovation and the
Bar”. The Six Session of the event featured a heated conversation
on Young Lawyers Minimum Wage, Brain Drain, and Professional
Development. The Panelist on the Session cut across Young Lawyers,
Partners in top Law firms and mid-size Law firms.

Leading the discussion, the Chairman Nigerian Bar Association
Section On Business Law and Managing Partner at Detailed Commercial
Solicitors, Ayuli Jemide, noted that Minimum wage is an interesting
concept that needs to be considered from an entrepreneurial
perspective. He observed that many lawyers cannot pay a minimum
wage because they do not earn the minimum wage. He said wages
should be democratized and the market should determine what people
get paid. Therefore, as a business, Lawyers should freely determine
when to go to firms that pay better.

Jemide also noted that the migration of talents out of law firms
is a national issue not just a law firm issue. He noted that
societally, we are in a cycle that sees a lot of brain drain and
this is due to the economic situations as the take-home of lawyers
has gone down drastically. He, therefore, observed that people are
looking for respite and alternatives.

A young lawyer on the Panel, Caleb Adebayo, who joined the Panel
from New York noted that a number of young lawyers moving abroad
are moving for greener pastures and better earnings. He noted
however that there is a lot that needs to be done in Nigerian law
firms to keep lawyers or to make them return after professional
development courses.

Adebayo further noted that younger lawyers nowadays want to work
in an environment free of toxicity and they want to work in firms
that give meaning to their work.

He stated that there are so many things in Nigerian law firms
which make them unattractive for a return of talents who have
opportunity to leave the Country.

Another Panelist, Modupe Odele, who operates a firm from the U.S
also noted that Law Firms must compensate lawyers by more than just
salaries. She enjoined law firms to give their lawyers visibility
and other forms of compensation. She further added that Lawyers are
more than just mere fee earners and the Law Firms should feed the
dreams of their lawyers.

She further said lawyers need to get employee relations training
and a people’s culture before setting up firms.