NBA LAGOS IN-HOUSE & GOVT COUNSEL FORUM HOLDS MENTORSHIP, ROUNDTABLE & NETWORKING EVENT

In its continuing march towards greater relevance in the career and professional growth of its members, the In-House & Government Counsel Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch held a mentorship, roundtable & networking event to enhance their intellectual and social skill-sets, as useful components for success.

NEWSWIRE Law Events magazine’s correspondent reports that the event, whose theme was ‘In-House and Government Counsel in a Changing Legal Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities,’ was structured into three segments, namely, Mentorship, Panel Discussions, and Cocktail and Networking Sessions.

The mentorship session, which was moderated by Mrs. Uche Ogunedo Akingbade, was graced both by established leaders in their fields (some of who served as mentors) as well as by prospective mentees – who are either working in-house or looking to make the transition to in-house legal work. The mentors included Israel Danauta, Tomi Omotayo, Chukwuka Ikwazom, SAN, and Babatunde Irukera.

Each mentor was assigned a cluster of mentees.

Representatives of the Governor of Lagos State, as well as those of the Abia State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice were also present at the event.

One of the highlights of the sessions was a question-and-answer exchange between the mentors and mentees. Questions were raised, and interest and concern shown, in issues such as the following:

– What would transnational competencies look like for someone transitioning from the courtroom to in-house work?

– As in-house counsel, how can one be more involved in the business aspects of the company’s operations?

– What’s so special about in-house work – as opposed to litigation?

– How do you balance your job and maintain professional relationships while trying to doing your job in a dispassionate manner?

The mentors, in their respective responses, emphasized the following:

– the need to apply creativity, business acumen, deep knowledge of the law, and problem-solving skills in whatever one does;

– the need for in-house counsel to have a full grasp of all aspects of the company’s operations and business model – by attending meetings and making relevant inquiries from all the departments in the company, the better to also be able to offer top-notch advice;

– the need for each lawyer to follow his/her passion and play to their strengths (in making the choice between litigation and in-house work);

– the need to develop a reputation for character and integrity, and to surround oneself with friends who understand why tough decisions are sometimes taken against them.

The Q&A session was followed by a Roundtable Session, which was coordinated by Yewande Bisiolu and moderated by Dapo Oduwole.

Welcoming attendees to the session, the Chairperson of the In-House & Government Counsel Forum of the NBA Lagos Branch, Justina Lewa, expressed delight at the turnout, describing the 3-in-1 event as a

purposeful initiative aimed at addressing the challenges faced by in-house and government lawyers in Nigeria’s ever-evolving legal environment. The theme of the event, she said, aptly captured the shifting expectations and silent efforts of non-litigation lawyers who play critical roles in boardrooms, policy formulation, and public institutions. Lewa underscored the often under-appreciated value of in-house and government counsel, expressing the hope that the event’s conversations and mentorship sessions would contribute towards reshaping the narrative around that field of legal work. She expressed gratitude to the mentors for their commitment towards inspiring excellence, stressing that their presence was a reminder that in-house counsels were not alone in their professional journeys. She also praised the diverse insights and perspectives brought by all the speakers, saying their contributions were critical to the sustainability of institutions. Praising the leadership of the NBA Lagos branch for its support since the inception of the Forum, Lewa concluded by calling on all attendees to remain committed to upholding the rule of law in their respective institutions.

In his own remarks, the Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Olabisi Makanjuola, Chairman NBA Lagos Branch, described the event as timely and strategic, commending its role in fostering capacity-building and professional growth within the legal profession. He paid effusive tribute to the leadership of Justina Lewa and Ugochukwu Okonkwo, acknowledging their vision, passion and commitment to advancing the Forum’s objectives. The calibre of attendees and the depth of the topics under discussion, he went on to say, signified the legal profession’s continuous evolution, especially in response to global trends and changing client expectations.

Highlighting the importance of mentorship in such a dynamic environment, he noted that it was no longer a one-way process, as both mentor and mentee benefit; while one shares wisdom, the other offers fresh perspectives and challenges the profession to grow. Initiatives like these, Makanjuola stressed, are vital for bridging generational gaps and sustaining the values of the Bar. In-house and government counsel, he said, are the often-unsung engines driving institutions, industries and public governance. These days, he asserted, in-house counsel are not only advisors but key influencers and decisionmakers, as they shape policy and institutional outcomes. Turning his attention to mentorship, the Chairman pronounced it as a crucial component towards building a more effective and ethically-grounded legal profession, and must go beyond mere instruction to include inspiration and value-based leadership. Makanjuola urged younger lawyers never to underestimate their potentials, or limit their professional outlook to litigation only. He stressed the need for a culture of knowledge-sharing, innovation, and continuous professional development at the Bar.

For the panel session Dapo Oduwole, moderator, was joined by a distinguished cast of speakers, namely, Ajibola Olomola;

Ariyo Oluwaseun Sogbesan; Marvis Oduogu; and Enobong Ozor.

In their respective contributions, they explored critical questions such as:

– What are the challenges and opportunities for government counsel?

– The entry point for lawyers is Level 9, while for doctors, it is Level 12. How can we ensure equality for lawyers?

– In-house lawyers sometimes feel marginalized and invisible. How can we ensure that In-house counsel get enough recognition?

– There is a belief that lawyers in the public sector are overwhelmed, underpaid, and unappreciated. How can we reform the system so that there is reasonable remuneration and fair play?

– What are the significant shifts affecting the legal profession, and how do they affect in-house and government counsels?

– Can the NBA go beyond symbolic inclusion of in-house counsel, and if so, how can they be more included?

– Does the NBA have a role in protecting the in-house community in its activities?

– Should in-house counsels be able to take the silks the same way external counsels do? Or should there be an alternative to the silk for in-house counsels, or should SAN be open to all?

– Can the NBA collaborate with other industries to help in-house and government counsels be better valued?

The panelists, in their interventions regarding the above questions, made the following points:

– On the issue of equitable remuneration for lawyers, the NBA must be as assertive as the NMA (the Nigerian Medical Association, which sometimes goes on strike to press home their demands for higher pay);

– In-house lawyers can channel their quest for greater recognition to the Association’s leadership via ICSAN. Also, there should be a robust engagement between the NBA and the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) as their interests are not mutually exclusive.

– The NBA constitution should be amended to make for a more intentional inclusion of in-house lawyers in the Association’s scheme of things;

– The SAN rank and its privileges should be expanded to accommodate in-house lawyers. In the alternative, a rank such as ‘Distinguished Corporate Counsel of Nigeria’ (DCCN) can be introduced – with recipients being referred to as ‘learned DCCN.’

– The requirements for becoming the President of the NBA should also be wider in scope, for the same purpose of inclusion;

– In-house lawyers, just like all legal practitioners must learn, unlearn, relearn and adapt to meet the challenges and opportunities of an evolving global marketplace – the better to enhance the quality of their output and to give informed advice to their clients/employers;

– The NBA must leverage its privileged relationships with important corporate stakeholders on a multi-sectoral basis on behalf of in-house lawyers.

NEWSWIRE’s correspondent reports that the panel session concluded with further interventions by Ogechi Ihekweazu (the Secretary of the In-house & Government Counsel Forum); Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson; Nonso Azih; the aforementioned Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN and Olabisi Makanjuola.

Their views were summarized by Mrs. Uche Ogunade Akingbade, who called on in-house lawyers to be more involved than ever before in the affairs of the NBA – at both national and branch levels.

Proceedings came to a close with a cocktail and networking session, designed to bring together professionals from various sectors of the law ecosystem, as well as key players from other sectors – against the backdrop of fine wining and dining.