‘The Legal Profession is the Best Profession in the World’
My name is Adeyinka Moyosore Kotoye. I attended the University of Ibadan and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1998. I served in the firm of Afe Babalola, (SAN) & Co. In February, 1999, I started working in the firm of Chief G.O.K Ajayi, (SAN) & Co. In August, 2000, I joined Libra Law Office where I worked under the tutelage of Mrs. Hairat A. Balogun. I was there till January 2009, when I started Pisces and Gemini Law Office (P.A.G.E) in Ikeja. I have been a Partner in the office since then.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so what were the main challenges?
There have been several challenging situations but I do not look at them in that perspective. I do not consider them as challenges at all. I take them in my stride. Life itself is full of challenges.
What was your worst day as a lawyer?
I have never had any "worst day" as a Lawyer. I have been in active litigation right from the day I was called to the Bar. I think I was called on a Thursday. I started going to court the following Monday with Mr. Hakeem Afolabi, (SAN), one of the greatest legal minds I have ever come across. Therefore, for me, the Court room is my natural habitat, my fortress. Without sounding immodest, advocacy is second nature to me. The only punishment you can administer to me as a young counsel is to take me out of the court, nevertheless I will still find a way to go and watch proceedings.
What was your most memorable experience?
I got initiated into high level litigation when I filed a Petition on behalf of Chief Olu Falae in 1999. I was working with the Late Chief G.O.K. Ajayi, (S.A.N) at that time. Since then, every day in court has been very memorable, whether I lose or I win. It does not matter. I just enjoy the ambiance of the Court room. It gives me some form of motivation. There is always something new to learn and take away.
Who has been most influential in your life?
My Mother and Bishop David Oyedepo, while I was growing up had a very huge influence on me but lately, my Wife.
Why did you become a lawyer?
My decision to become a Lawyer dates back to 1979 during the campaign for that year's general election. I got inspired by the picture of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, (S.A.N) that I saw in a poster somewhere within our neighbourhood. Of course, you dare not bring the poster to the house because nearly the entire household were members of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Between ages 15- 18, I read nearly all his books, to wit: "My march through Prison", "Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution" etc. Also within the same period, I started reading Autobiographies of people like Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR, Late Abel Ubeku, late Adeyemi Lawson, Ayo Rosiji and I thought I could model my career along that path before I stumbled on litigation in Chief Afe Babalola's office.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
The Legal Profession is the best profession in the world.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?
Nothing. I never had a second choice. It was so bad that while filling my application forms for HSC at the Federal School of Science and Arts (FSS), Victoria Island, Federal government College, Ijanikin and Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, I wrote "Law" in all the columns meant for subjects. The heads of those institutions then had to call my father at different times to make enquiries about the motive behind my obsession with the Law. It was the same situation while filling JAMB forms. My First choice was "Law" and my Second choice was "Law".
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Certainly not where I am at the moment. I am too restless to be static or stagnant. The office has just ventured into publishing. We have two flagship publications which are titled "Appeal cases of Nigeria" which is going to be a monthly law reporting journal in the style of the London Law Times Journal and "Practice Digest for Legal Practitioners" which is also going to take the form of the old Empire digest. They will be in both hard and soft copies. This is our focus at the moment. Deo volente, other things may be added in the future.