‘Female Lawyers, Be Fearless!’
Nneka Akudolu KC. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi
The journey to the top in any profession is always tough and tortuous, and for the legal profession it is doubly tedious, especially for women. For Nigerian Lawyers in the United Kingdom, the challenges of rising to the peak of the profession are quite daunting, but obviously not insurmountable, because by a dint of hard work and obstinate determination, a few Nigerian Lawyers have worked their way to the pinnacle of their careers by being elevated to the rank of King’s Counsel in the UK, the most recent being The Learned Silk, in this riveting interview, shared her story with
Congratulations. You are the sixth Black Female King’s Counsel in the UK, elevated to the rank last year. Kindly, give us an overview of your journey, and whatever challenges you may have faced along the way. It seems that in the UK, Solicitors can also apply to “Be fearless...In 2019, I was invited to apply to a set of Chambers, which enjoys the status of being one of the top three in the entire country. I found the prospect quite terrifying at first, but I knew I had the ability to excel there, so I had to shake those feelings of self doubt away”
be elevated to the rank of King’s Counsel. How so?
I didn’t make the most of the opportunities that I had, growing up. My mum worked extremely hard to send us to a private school, but I really didn’t feel that education was for me.
I left school with only a handful of qualifications, and went to work in hospitality in London. It didn’t take long for me to realise that, this was not going to be my long term future. I happened to see an advert in my local newspaper for Access Courses. They are designed for individuals who have taken some time away from education, and unknown to me at the time - would enable me to get into University. I chose an Access to Legal Studies course, as I thought it may make me more employable. I did not consider for one minute, that I would pursue a career at the Bar. Having completed that course, I then chose to study an LLB in Law and Politics at the Cardiff University in Wales. Once there, I learned more about the legal careers available to me. With timing not being my strongest attribute, I gave birth to my
daughter half way through my law degree, but that did not deter me, as by this stage I was confident that I wanted to be a Lawyer. The Bar appealed to me: I enjoy public speaking, and I also quite liked the idea of wearing a wig and gown!
After University I studied for my Bar finals, and was fortunate enough to secure pupillage (training to become a Barrister) first time around. Pupillage with a two year old was quite challenging to say the least, but I had a lot of family support which was invaluable. I have been practicing in Criminal law now for over 20 years, and was Sworn in as (then) Queen’s Counsel in March 2022.
It is right that, Solicitors can also now be elevated to the rank of King’s Counsel; many have the same rights of audience enjoyed by Barristers in the Courts in England and Wales, so are able to demonstrate the excellence in both oral and written advocacy that is required.
What words of wisdom do you have to impart to Females who wish to excel like you have?
Be fearless. All too often we may shy away from making applications because we don’t think we are good enough, or don’t want to experience rejection. As I have navigated my way through my career, I, like many others, have fallen victim to the nagging psychological irritation that is imposter syndrome. In 2019, I was invited to apply to a set of Chambers, which enjoys the status of being one of the top three in the entire country. I found the prospect quite terrifying at first, but I knew I had the ability to excel there, so I had to shake those feelings of self doubt away. Less that three years after joining that set of Chambers, I applied and was successful in being appointed a Silk.
I think it is really important to align yourself with a good mentor, so that they can help you along your way to achieving your goals: someone who perhaps, has had similar experiences to your own, so knows the barriers you may have faced. Equally, it is important to be able to look at other remarkable women who have excelled in their careers, as their achievements will serve as
inspiration to others. But, we certainly need more women in leadership roles. Sometimes, we may look at a post or role that becomes available and think we have a slim chance of achieving it. The only certainty in that situation, is that you have a 100% chance of not getting it if you don’t at least apply. So, my advice is to always go for it.
What are your views on diversity at the Bar in England and Wales?
We are still nowhere near where we need to be in terms of diversity in this profession generally, but, especially in leadership roles. It is important that the Bar and the Judiciary reflect the composition of society, and that is certainly not presently the case: one only need look at the current membership of the UK Supreme Court to illustrate this point.
I frequently visit schools in order to encourage students from working class and diverse backgrounds, to consider the Bar as an achievable and realistic career option. It is great to see so many students genuinely excited when they learn that the Bar is a place that would welcome them, and consequently, they embrace the idea of studying Law at University. Happily some of the students I have encouraged have gone on to undertake Law degrees, Bar finals and secured pupillage, and I couldn’t be more proud. The reality is that those who are students today, will become tomorrow’s King’s Counsel and tomorrow’s members of the Judiciary.
Would you say the profession in your jurisdiction is skewed in favour of male counterparts?
Without question, yes. There have been many trials that I have been involved in, where I am the only female within an all male line up. Last year my client was one of six Defendants in a drugs case, and every single other participant (including the Judge) was male. In addition, the 2022 statistics from the Bar Standards Board reveal that there are currently 368 female self-employed King’s Counsel compared to 1591 male. When I took Silk in 2022, there were 101 appointees, 45 of whom were women; historically, that is the closest we have been to gender parity, and I really hope that continues.
At the Central Criminal Court in London, for the first time, the number of female Judges now equals the number of men, but that is not the case for all courts across the country - for more women to be appointed - more need to apply!
As KC, you are considered to be a leader and expert in your area of practice. What is your area of practice, and why did you settle on that particular area?
I decided from a very early stage in my career, that I wanted to specialise in Criminal Law. I enjoyed that subject the most at University, and that continued when I undertook work experience - Criminal Law was just the most interesting. I also knew that within this area of practice my work would be varied, and that I would meet people from all walks of life. Being able to undertake jury trials, was also extremely appealing.
“It is right that, Solicitors can also now be elevated to the rank of King’s Counsel…. Increasingly now, there are more Solicitors who are appointed King’s Counsel and also appointed to the Judiciary”