I was appointed a Notary Public of Nigeria in 2012. I have been involved in various legal and commercial transactions in Nigeria, Ghana, Angola and Kenya, advising on a wide range of issues including Dispute Resolution, Gas Projects, Acquisition of Petroleum Assets, Acquisition of Aircrafts, Real Estate Transactions, Management Buyout, Public offerings, Arbitration, Tax Advisory, Corporate Governance issues, Public Private Partnership, Maritime Law etc. In 2007, I was appointed as the foremost National Secretary of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association and that gave me the opportunity to push the interest of Young Lawyers. My Team introduced the Young Lawyers Summit and also ensured the vibrant sessions of the Young Lawyers Forum during the NBA Conferences. I also served on the National Editorial Board of the NBA between 2012 and 2014, and have at various times, been a member of the Law Week Planning Committee for the Lagos Branch of the NBA. I currently coordinate the Branch Legal Email project. I am also a very active member of the NBA Section on Business Law and currently represent the NBA in the Civil Society Committee of the National Extractive Industry Initiative. I am a member of the Capital Market Solicitors Association, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Chartered Conciliators and Mediators and the As- sociation of Outsourcing Professionals of Nigeria. I am also a member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. When I am away from work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends at the Ikoyi Club and staying at home playing with my daughter. Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so what were the main challenges? Yes, my road has been very rough as a Practitioner, and I have been through the furnace of legal Practice. I remember my first day in Court where as a new wig, I had to move an ex-parte motion. Gratefully, I was before a High Court Judge in Kwara State who was patient with me as other more experienced lawyers whispered to me what to do. As a young lawyer I had to go for matters in Bonny in Rivers State by speed boat, also, Ogbai, Warri etc. This was not funny. Many times, I arrived at the Court room only to find out that the Court would not sit, after going through hoops to get there. Also, running a law practice has been fraught with challenges such as billing right and ensuring that the Clients pay “well”. The issue of loyalty has also come up a few times. It is difficult to find young lawyers who are willing to pay the price with you to build a practice. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a few loyal colleagues who have made the journey worthwhile. What was your worst day as a lawyer? A few years ago, I was handling a litiga- tion matter for a Client, who invited me to his office for a meeting. That fateful day, I attended the meeting with a junior colleague, only for my Client to tell me that he felt the lawyer to the adverse party had access to the Judge, and was being over indulged by the said Judge. He then informed me that he was going to get another lawyer who knew the Judge well to lead me in the matter. He concluded by emphasising the fact that he was comfortable with my knowledge of the law, but that the matter required more than just knowing the law. I left his office feeling very dejected!. What was your most memorable experience? It is difficult to say. I have had a lot of memorable experiences, but it is always memorable for me when I get a positive and satisfactory feedback from a client especially when I have proffered a unique solution that truly satisfies him/her. I also always look forward to closing dates for transactions. Who has been most influential in your life? I have been influenced immensely by different people at different stages of my life. First it was my Parents (the late Hon. Vincent E. Uwanna (also a lawyer) and Mrs. Bernadette N. Uwanna); then as I grew professionally, some mentors like HRH Serena David Dokubo Spiff, R. A Lawal Rabana, SAN, the late Chief Sir Amaechi Nwaiwu, SAN, Prof. Andrew Chukwuemerie, SAN, Dr. O. J Onyike and Prof. Moses O. E. Iwuala amongst others who have paid close attention to me and believed in my potential. Why did you become a lawyer? My father was a Lawyer and without saying so, he set out to make me love the profession. During the holidays, he would take me along to his office, to Court etc. and he usually introduced me to the Court when he announced his appearance. I remember once I was with him in Court and the Judge walked in and requested to know what I was doing there, so my father introduced me and the Judge encouraged me be like my father, someday! I loved to go with my father – the major attraction being that he would always buy me biscuits, sweets, fruits etc. So, indeed I will be right to say that I thought the profession was an opportunity to have the things I wanted; that was how I was seduced!. What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law? I work almost round the clock, weekends, holidays etc. If you are interested in being a good lawyer, get ready for hard work. But, I have also learnt that hard work does not kill, it only makes you stronger. Law is also a ticket to see the world. You will travel very far and wide, if you are ready to work hard. I will not forget to add that it is also very rewarding. If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen? Without a doubt, I would have been an artist. Growing up, I had a very deep flair for drawing. I hope that someday, I will return to my first love. I still find artworks irresistible. Where do you see yourself in ten years? I strongly believe in the Book of Proverbs 19 V 21 that says that “many are the plans in a man’s heart but the counsel of the Lord will prevail”. At the recent ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, I was celebrated as one of the 40 lawyers under 40 who will shape the future of the legal profession in Nigeria. Are they right? Only time will tell. For me, I will keep working hard, dreaming big and praying that God will birth his plans for me at the appropriate time. ]]>