Above all, kindly permit me to happily congratulate all the newly called learned colleagues on their successful call to bar.
Undoubtedly, you have joined the largest and most vibrant professional body in Africa and if I won’t be exaggerating in the world, where knowledge, wisdom, integrity and professionalism are the main tools of trade. I say you are most welcome.
It is my humble prayer that you all get to the climax in the profession.
Learned gentlemen, I put pen on paper to remind you of what you have been schooled while undergoing one year law school training[ two years in the case of foreign students ] which ultimately borders on the need to be highly professional in the discharge of your duties as lawyers.
Firstly, you need to join sound and reputable law firms to sharpen your legal skills. Pupilage and mentorship play vital roles in the life of a successful lawyer. Do not be too desirous to open your own legal firm immediately after being called.That is not good for your carrier and the profession. You need to be mentored to be able to compete favourably in the highly competitive legal market.
Secondly, I want to equally implore you to distance yourselves from the practice known and called “charge and bail”. It kills scholarship in you.
It has been said repeatedly that no lawyer will suffer poverty. All what you need is to acquire necessary skills and protect your integrity. You need 80% of integrity and 20% of law to succeed in this profession. Let your yearnings and aspirations towards becoming successful without breaching the rules as encapsulated in the Rules of Professional conducts for Legal Practitioners, 2007 be heightened.
The practice known and called “charge and bail” may fetch you immediate money but it lacks future. The life span of every active “charge and bail” lawyer is just for three [3] years, after which another set of “charge and bail” lawyers would emerge.
The lights of CHIEF WOLE OLANIPEKUN SAN- a leading leader, DR. BABATUNDE AJIBADE SAN- a foremost and leading commercial lawyer, Y.C MAIKYAU SAN- a distinguished lawyer, A.B MAHMOUD SAN, YUSUFF ALLI SAN, O.C.J. OKOCHA, SAN, MIKE OZEKHOME SAN-a rugged court general, SYLVESTER UDEMESUE- a law teacher and prolific legal writer and many more are the crops of lawyers I urge you to role model.
Thirdly, I further urge you to always discharge your duties as lawyers within the ambit of the law. Do not act outside the ambit of the law in the name of impressing clients. This may cut your life short professionally if it backfires. Always insist on written instructions from clients before you act, and do not act beyond unless you have further instructions in writing.
No practice without clients as popularly said, but also know that your client today may turn your enemy tomorrow. So be guided.
Be honest, guide your integrity, acquire necessary knowledge and skills and be friendly with RPC, 2007, with all these, the sky is your starting point.
Once again, I say congratulations !.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Moruff O. Balogun Esq.
Ijebu – Ode, Ogun – State.
08052871414.
09121207712 [Whatsapp]