‘A Lawyer Must have Passion for the Profession, to make an Impact’
My name is Michael Oboyovwi Dedon. I am a native of Orhuwhorun Town in Udu LGA of Delta State. I graduated from the University of Benin in 1999, after which I proceeded to the Nigeria Law School, Lagos Campus, and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2002. I am married with children.
I am presently the Managing Associate of Giwa-Osagie & Co. with offices in Ikoyi, Lagos and Abuja. I have been in my current employment since 2010. Before then, I have worked in other top law firms in Lagos, and have garnered solid 16 years post-call practice experience, with core litigation experience in almost all areas of law.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges?
I cannot easily recall any major challenges in my career as a Lawyer, other than the usual challenges faced by Lawyers practicing generally, which is the rather slow pace of dispensation of justice. Many of the clients, especially foreigners, cannot just understand why a case in the court of first instance, can linger on indefinitely, taking years to resolve, and then it may then spend more years on appeal. We need a situation, where there is more certainty to judicial resolution of disputes, than the situation we have presently.
What was your worst day as a Lawyer?
My worst day as a Lawyer, was the day my own client subtly questioned my competence, because an over-sensitive Judge interfered with and stopped my continuing cross-examination of a philandering witness in a divorce case, because she felt that my questions were too probing, and that I was being too hard on him by my attempt to put his bad character in issue. I was really angry, knowing that I had done nothing wrong procedurally speaking. Rather, it was the Judge that had issues. At the end of the day, I was able to put my emotions under control, because a Lawyer should always be level headed and articulate: that is what make us learned. We won the case in the end.
What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?
My most memorable day in court, remains the day I squared up to an SAN in court, when I was still a rookie. This SAN was and still is notorious for bullying and intimidating even fellow SANs, not to talk of a green horn Lawyers, but I stood my ground, and refused to be cowed. It was tit-for-tat, with both of us firing on all cylinders. I could only laugh when the court Registrars reported me to my then principal, as being a "strongman".
Who has been most influential in your life?
My late maternal grand mother, Mrs. Ughegbe Bogban, has been the most influential person in my life. She always believed in me, and encouraged me to attain greater heights. She was my source of inspiration, and laid the foundation for my present status in life. I owe her much gratitude, for her love and care, and above all, her inspiration.
Why did you become a Lawyer? I became a Lawyer out of my own volition and personal convictions, and not because I was prodded or wanted to make anyone happy. Nobody encouraged me to look to the profession; I chose it, because I believe that I have what it takes, to make a good Lawyer. I became a Lawyer, because it was the only avenue for me to give vent to my quest for justice for all.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in Law?
My advice to anyone wanting a career in law, is to look before leaping. You need to satisfy yourself, that you have what it takes to be a good Lawyer. It is one thing to have a degree in law, and another to be a good Lawyer who knows his/her onions. There are so many Lawyers, but only a few are really Lawyers in the true sense of the word. You must first, have a passion for the profession and possess what it takes to make an impact in it.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen?
If had not chosen to become a Lawyer, I would have been a chef. I love cooking. I regard cooking as an art.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? In the next ten years, by the grace of God, I see myself at the zenith of the legal profession, at the top. I love practicing law, and I have put a lot into making it worthwhile. I will love to leave my footprints, in the sand of time in it. It is also my desire, to leave behind a legacy that others coming behind can be inspired by.