‘Law is 50% Uncommon Common Sense’
Please, give a brief introduction of yourself
My name is Elo Othuke Azaino, a Legal Practitioner and the Managing Partner of Rosenut Solicitors; a full service law Firm in Lekki, Lagos.
Although Rosenut Solicitors is a full service law firm that prides itself as your “Next Door Law Firm”, I have had the honour and privilege of rendering legal services to both local and international Clients in different matters/transactions across various areas of law such as Dispute Resolution (Core Ligation and ADR) Corporate Commercial, Oil and Gas, Real Estate and Construction, Employment/Labour, Intellectual Property, Maritime, Aviation, Energy, Entertainment, Immigration, Probate/ Matrimonial Law.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges?
I have faced an avalanche of challenges in my career as a Lawyer; may I say I have faced one too many! But, amongst all, the challenges of managing and growing a full service law firm in the heart beat of the country’s commercial centre, are my most daunting challenges.
The challenge and ability of being sound legally, morally and mentally, to avoid the weighty managerial hubris of sacrificing Head for Heart and vice versa, is a constant and everlasting challenge for me.
Also, some of the other challenges are evident in the areas of sourcing for clients, bearing in mind the conservative and reserved nature of law practice in Nigeria, billing, pricing and payment for legal services by clients and prospective clients, employing the right staff that appreciate and are ready to uphold the values and virtues of the firm, as well as being innovative and remaining relevant/ knowledgeable, in an ever dynamic and ever evolving Lagos.
What do you consider to be your worst day as a Lawyer?
Any day I fail to put a smile on my staff and clients’ faces, is a sad day for me. To be modest, I have had few of those days. I know you may have expected me to put my clients first, before my staff. Well, my approach to the practice of law, is a bit unconventional. My colleagues (staff) come first, then the clients, almost in the same breath. I believe that if the staff are well motivated and find happiness in what they are doing, I need not worry much about the clients, the staff will make your job easy.
What has been your most memorable experience as a Lawyer, so far?
Thus far, everyday as a legal practitioner, apart from the few worst days, are memorable days. But, my most memorable day is some few years to come; the day I will be honoured with the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Who has been most influential in your life?
My late Grandmother, on the family front. Although she went to a deserved rest about a decade ago, her values and unwavering belief in me, even on occasions in which I doubted myself, will always be moments to remember in a savouring fashion. Her favourite pet name for me (in Isoko Language) was the enduring Ubiudodo (Rosenut), my brand.
Professionally, I would say Wale Irokosu (the Managing Partner of Probitas Partners, let’s just say the man is a law beast). A stern and unassuming figure. He bestowed on me legal values, that guide me to date.
Why did you become a Lawyer? To be sincere, law called and I answered. From my educational and professional formative years, I always knew I would either be a legal practitioner or a legal practitioner.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting to become a lawyer?
Welcome!!! We do need a few more hands. However, I have come to the realisation that, law is 50% uncommon common sense; 49% dedication/hard work and 1% luck. One does need grace in the legal professional, but it is not a place for those who believe in luck.
I have discovered that most young Lawyers have the mentality that, all they need is just luck, work in some big law firm, get paid well, dress in some fancy clothes, and from nowhere, success and knowledge will find them. I see young Lawyers graduating from the Law School, and without venturing into actual practice, elect to cherry pick areas of practice. Most of them loath advocacy like the plague, not because they tried it and they found out that they do not have the stomach for it, but because they were told that it is stressful.
My advice to all young Lawyers is to test the field, be at it, explore, romance, flirt, crush and be in love with the law; only then will you be able to know your actual strength and true area of practice.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?
Law would have Chosen me (hahahahaha). Perhaps, a Thespian. I actually studied Theatre Arts. But, the desire and temptation of being legal practitioner was too great to ignore, and somehow the law chose me.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
On a personal front, it is my utmost desire to have grown my practice and attain my goal of being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. In general, I hope that Rosenut Solicitors would have grown and become one of the world’s top law firms.