‘Success in Law Practice Requires Clear Vision’
Please, give a brief introduction of yourself
My name is Adebola Olarotimi Lema. I hold a law degree from the University of Benin, and an LLM degree from the University of Lagos. I was admitted to the Nigerian Bar. I am a member of the African Consortium of Law & Religious Studies; West African Association of Law Religious Studies; Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Section on Business Law and the Legal Torchbearers. I joined the Nigerian Bar association (NBA) Lagos Branch in 2004. I have served the NBA in various capacities as the Branch Secretary (2014-2015), member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA (2014-15) and a member of the NBA Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), 2017 amongst others.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges
Life itself is a challenge, but, I have always known since I was a child, from the circumstances of my early life, that the career I have chosen and cherished, was going to be a challenging one. The legal profession is a very interesting one, and even though I may not be able to point to any particular challenge as a defining one because there have been many, I will say that the plight of Young Lawyers is a particular challenge that I continue to grapple with, since my days as a young counsel. The problem of the Bench and Bar today, is every body's challenge, and it is saddening that, people who should be stakeholders and jealously guard the independence of the Judiciary and the integrity of the Bar, are those now denigrating it.
What was your worst day as a Lawyer ?
We will always have good and bad days, in our work life. The most important thing is to maintain a sense of perspective and understand that, as there are bad days, there are also good days. I have lost cases, I thought I should win. Now, I can say those are bad days, but I also realise that, I have also won many I could have lost. So, for a practicing Lawyer like me, my worst days are when I lose a case, especially the ones I feel should have gone my way.
What is your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?
My memorable experiences are many. To recall a particular one might be difficult, but I always remember my days with T.B Akinyeye Esq., who taught me almost all I know, today. I remember when he would let me handle trials, in my early days at the Bar, and when he commended my written addresses. Above all this, I value the ethics and discipline at the Bar, which he taught me. I have carried that into my activism at the NBA since my days as a member, and later Secretary of our beloved Lagos Branch.
Who has been most influential in your life?
Many people have helped me through life. I consider all of them influential. My Parents Esrom and Omoyiwola Lema sacrificed everything to raise my siblings and I. T.B Akinyeye Esq taught me law. My wife stands with me, like the rock of Gibraltar. She helped curb my vices. My friends from Okitipupa, the University of Benin, the University of Lagos, Law School, and in legal practice have all impacted on my life. They have all been influential, and helped me become the man I am today. I thank them all.
Why did you become a Lawyer? I have always had a keen sense of justice, so I naturally gravitated towards the legal profession. My father's business premises in Okitipupa then helped too, as many Lawyers and other professionals come in after work to chat and felicitate with my Dad. I admired the way and manner of the Lawyers amongst them, so here I am today, a Lawyer and one of them.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?
It is easy. It requires a clear idea of what they want out of life. Once they are sure of that, then they need to put in the work and dedication required to pass the qualifying examinations. Once that is achieved, they will also require the same hard work and dedication to duty, to forge ahead in the legal profession and become successful Lawyers.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?
If I had not become a Lawyer, I would have been an Engineer.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Well, we have to be humble and accept that, there is a God who reigns in the affairs of men. I am a Christian, and I submit to His sovereign authority always. In obedience to His will, I want to look back in ten years and see myself as one of the eminent Lawyers, and a leader of the legal profession and the NBA. I want particularly, to see myself as having contributed to the restoration of the legal profession, the NBA and the Nigerian nation.