‘Law is Only for Serious Minded People’
I am Unini Chioma Omalicha, from Anambra State. I am a lawyer and a law blogger. One of the Editors of Thenigerialawyer.com. I graduated from Anambra state University (ANSU) now called Odumegwu Ojukwu University and was called to the Nigerian Bar on November, 2012. During my National Youth Service Corps, I served with Shendam Local Government Council, in their department of State Ministry of Justice. I obtained Executive Masters Certificate in Project Management. I lectured at Plateau State Polytechnic, Shendam. I also lectured at Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Consultancy Unit, Lafia, Nasarawa State. I started my law practice with T.T Chahur and Co, Save the World Chambers in 2014, where I started law blog. The dream of disseminating information to lawyers for them to be abreast with happenings both at the National and local branches of Nigerian Bar Association drove me into starting Thenigerialawyer blog.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so, what were the main challenges?
Sure! Challenges are bound to happen to any one, whether you are a lawyer or not. Challenges are a part of life. I cannot forget my first day in court as a fresh wig. I appeared before a High Court, Justice Danjuma of blessed memory in Jos, Plateau State. I had a bail application to move, I did not know when my case was mentioned, because I was busy looking into the jotter where I wrote down the procedure for moving the motion.
Another challenge, which is my most difficult, Is my ability to combine law practice, blogging, family life and social life. The blogging business requires a lot of time, patience and consistence, based on this I pay more attention to the blog than practice.
What was your worst day as a lawyer?
That was the day I traveled to one of the villages in Nasarawa State for a matter. On the way, my car broke down. Getting someone to fix the car was very annoying and frustrating, because there was no mechanic close to where the car had broken down. The most unfortunate aspect of it was that, when I got to the court, I discovered that my case was not on the cause list, and that particular Judge only entertained cases that were on the cause list.
What was your most memorable experience?
I've had several memorable experiences. The most memorable of them, is the day thenigerialawyer.com was launched as a blog. Also, getting my office set. It is a dream come true. It is also memorable for me each day when I receive calls or mail for one thing or the other for the blog.
Who has been most influential in your life?
The people that have influenced me most are my sweet parents and my wonderful husband. My parents have been there both academically and morally. Without them, I would not have become a lawyer. My husband has also played a greater role in influencing me. He has been the source of my strength, my inspiration and very supportive, especially on Thenigerialawyer.
Why did you become a lawyer?
The legal profession is seen and regarded as one of the noble professions in the world, if not the most noble. And every family likes to have a lawyer, whether it is the choice of the child or not, some parents will encourage their children to become one. As for me when I was a child, I never wanted to be a lawyer, but seeing one of my uncles who is a lawyer and doing well in the profession, I developed an interest for it. My father saw the interest and encouraged me. He always said "this is a prestigious profession, give in your best to become one of them".
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
Law is an amazing profession, though it is not made for every body. In fact, it’s not for the unserious minded people. And when it’s not a good fit for you, the downside is awful. Mismatched lawyers are miserable. So my advice for those who want to be lawyers, is that they have to work hard , be determined, believe in yourself , be optimistic and honest. If you’re still in school, stick it out. Suck it up and graduate, and then come up with a new game plan for your career. And if you’ve graduated? There is a life after law, and you can use everything you've acquired. I've done it and its working for me. Some of my classmates have turned their law degrees into a law job of their choice.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?
I knew I was going to be lawyer. So I never had thought for another career.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
One of inevitable and constant aspects of life is change, which is part of human activity. Everyone in life aspires to move higher in every sphere of life. I am not an exception to this ideology. I am focused on success, long term stability, commitment to seeing that thenigerialawyer. com is taken to a higher level. With hard work, determination and God on my side, my prayer to achieve my goals, will fall into place. So in the next 10 years I should be in places where I will make a difference.