‘For Hardworking Lawyers, No Room for Poverty’
I am Biodun Michael Hundeyin, born on14th March, 1967 at Ahovikoh Quarters in Badagry. Lagos. I am married to Mrs. Ifeyinwa Hundeyin from Ibusa, Delta State, and we have three children.
I obtained my Bachelor of Laws degree from the Lagos State University and thereafter, proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1995. After my youth service with Nonso Ezika & Co, I worked at Animashaun, Animashaun & Associates where I rose to become the Head of Chambers before setting up Biodun Hundeyin & Associates in 2003. I have held several offices in the Nigerian Bar Association, including being 1st Assistant Secretary, Lagos Branch, 2002 – 2003.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer and if so, what were the main challenges?
The major challenge in my career, was a fire incident which occurred in my Law Firm sometime ago, after a client paid certain sums of money through my Law Firm. I attempted to deposit the money into an old generation bank, which refused to open its door as at 3:45pm. I was forced to keep the money in the Law Firm. The Office was burgled and set on fire. Upon Police investigation, a litigation clerk in the Firm, was apprehended and a third of the money was recovered, but painfully, most irreplaceable vital documents including certificates, books, manuscripts and other properties belonging to me, the office, staff and clients were fully or partially burnt. The memory still lingers.
What was your worst day as a Lawyer?
This was in 2017 for that matter! In a State High Court, where a Judge delivered a judgement, raising issues suo motu and addressing the same. Also denying that certain facts were not pleaded, which was not true.
What has been your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?
In 2006, I co-published a Book “Perspectives On Contemporary Legal Issues: Essay In Honour of Hon. Justice Dolapo F. Akinsanya”. It was memorable, because, the Book reported Justice Akinsanya’s judgement, wherein she declared the constituents of the Interim National Government, invalid.
Secondly, the launching of the Book had the then Executive Governor Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Chief Launcher. After the book review segment by Mr. Taslim O. G. Animashaun, Ashiwaju Tinubu, a man with high sense of humour, said that we should look beyond the review and in his own words "O typo, ko typo, we shall launch it", meaning that whether the book contains typographical errors or not, the Book must be launched. The memory of the words of encouragement, made me feel fulfilled and still fires me on till date.
Who has been the most influential in your life?
My late Mother.
Why did you become a Lawyer? Positive Societal Influence: In the mid 70s (prior to my secondary school education), I grew up partly in Late G.O.K. Ajayi SAN's Family House at Yaba, Lagos. Chief Ajayi was my role model. He had his Law graduation Photo in Master’s (that was Chief Ajayi’s father) siting room. I was so fascinated with his handsomeness and posture in the Photograph. G.O.K routinely visited Master, usually on Sunday evenings. I summed up the courage to approach him. I asked him so many questions relating to his profession as a Lawyer, he took his time to educate me, and I never wanted to be anything else other than a Lawyer. Unfortunately, I never met him again one on one, till he died, after I became a Lawyer.
Negative Societal Influence: Secondly, scaling through Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut-off was a challenge, and a friend of mine sat me down and told me that I could never be a lawyer! I instead, assured myself that my Role Model, Late G.O.K. Ajayi, SAN, said I could and eventually, I became Lawyer.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in Law?
I have a focus and channeled the same through a formula which is my belief in “God, Luck, Ambition, Destiny and Hard work” (GLAHD). Every Law Careerist must be positive and be focused in allowing all, or some of the cited variables, to interplay, then the sky will be the limit. Law is so vast, multifaceted, departmentalised, resourceful and rewarding, that every lawyer, relatively, over time must excel and be successful. In other words, there is no room for poverty among ‘GLAHD’ Lawyers.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen?
I had wanted to be a Soldier, but it was an era where just few Application Forms were being circulated to the Military formations, for all the eligible candidates to compete for. Although, I never received the support of my parents for this, as my Mother kept emphasising that I was her only son, and that a military career was not a ‘tea party’ as was being insinuated by the adverts in USA’s “Ebony Magazine”, which was my inspiration. Also, my Father wanted me to be a Medical Doctor and nobody was there to push for my enlistment into the Army.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Subject to the divine grace of long life and prosperity, I see myself at the peak of my career, either at the Bar, or on the Bench.