Solanke, Olanipekun, Babatunde, Adesina, Busari, Others, task Young Lawyers on Hardwork, Integrity
Young Lawyers in the country, have been charged to imbibe the virtue of integrity and hard work in their practice.
These virtues, according to the senior Lawyers, will help them to succeed in their profession.
The Senior Lawyers, including the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke, former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Editor-inChief, Supreme Court Report, Mr. Layi Babatunde, SAN and Mr. Tunde Busari, SAN, gave this charge to the younger Lawyers at the maiden edition of the mentoring session for young Lawyers, tagged 'Time Out with the Masters', organised by Lawbreed Ltd.
Kick starting the event with her Chairman’s opening remarks, Chief Solanke, SAN urged the young Lawyers to imbibe virtues such as integrity, honesty, courtesy hard work, good appearance and punctuality, in order to succeed in their profession.
While expressing worries about the deteriorating standard of the Bar, she tasked the young Lawyers to make strenuous efforts to elevate the standard, for the sake of the profession.
Chief Solanke also advised that, in view of widespread unemployment of young Lawyers which has prompted some to engage in demeaning jobs, it is preferable to cut the number of students admitted to study law in the University.
"We are all aware that, there is widespread unemployment of young Lawyers. The situation is so grave, that some Lawyers are now engaged in occupations, which lower their professional dignity as learned people, and make nonsense of their many years of study.
"I appeal to the authorities, to consider a drastic cut in the number of students admitted to read law in the Universities, and for training in the Law School. The situation is dire", she said.
Also admonishing the young Lawyers at the well attended event, Chief Olanipekun, SAN, advised them to resist the temptation of always relying on artificial intelligence, adding that, the best gift is what one puts in his or her brain.
"Law, is not for lazy people. It is not, a part- time profession. You cannot be trading, and at the same time, be practicing law. You must be focused, cultivate good ideas and habits.
"It is very worrisome that, nobody wants to read books again. Everyone is now relying on, artificial intelligence. You must resist this. The best education and knowledge you can give to yourself, is the one you put inside your brain.
“You must strive to be the master of whatever area of the law, you choose to pursue. You must read widely, and show that indeed, you are a learned person in every aspect of your lives."
According to Chief Olanipekun, being learned without honour, is a waste.
"You cannot put something on nothing, and expect it to stand. In our dealing, let us be modest with clients, be honest with ourselves and colleagues", he concluded.
Organiser of the event and Editor-in-Chief, Supreme Court Report, Mr. Layi Babatunde in his paper presentation, charged Lawyers to avoid the 'fast food' mentality, in the use of case law.
He expressed concern that, young Lawyers are now averse to reading judgements, but rather rely majorly on head notes on law reports.
"As young Lawyers, you must be wary of 'fast food' advocacy. Fast food is quick and available, but most times, it is not quite healthy. Over indulgence in it, could be disastrous health wise.
"Now, Lawyers have the opportunity of citing cases, they have not read. All they have done, is to pick up one line that they erroneously called ‘ratio ‘in a judgement. This trend is dangerous, and you must avoid it," he said.
Former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law, Mr. George Etomi tutored the young Lawyers on pathways to becoming a successful commercial Lawyer. Past Chairman, Nigerian Branch, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Mr. Tunde Busari, SAN, coached the Lawyers on pathways to becoming a successful Arbitrator.
Other Senior Lawyers who attended the session and also took time to speak to the young Lawyers include, Professor Abiola Sanni, Mr. Wale Adesokan, SAN, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde, SAN, Olusola Idowu, SAN, Mr. Niyi Onipade, SAN, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, Mr. Lekan Yusuf, SAN, Mr. Dotun Makinde, SAN, Professor M.T. Abdulrasaq, Chief Akinwande Delano, SAN, amongst others.