BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF? I am Nnamdi P. Nweke Esq., a Legal Practitioner, Principal Partner, Adventus Solicitors and Advocates, a Law Firm based in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. I hail from Ifite- Ogwari, Ayamelum LGA, in Anambra State. I am a proud father of two beautiful daughters and a devote catholic. I attended Anambra State university and was called to Bar in 2007. After completing the mandatory NYSC programme in Rivers State, I joined City Law Firmin Abuja in 2008 as a Junior Associate Counsel, that’s where my practice Experience started. WHAT AREA OF LAW THATINTEREST YOU MOST? I like every aspect of the law, especially the ones that throw challenges that bring out the quest for knowing more. It’s always a nice feeling to appear before the courts, I can saymostly the superior courts. That is the summit of the joy I drive from being a lawyer. I always leave the court with pride every time WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT LEGAL PRACTICE? Beside the pecuniary benefits it confers as ones means of livelihood, practicing Law is a thing of great joy, It gives one self-esteem. I interact with some of our collegues whofor one reason or the other could not engage in the practice and it doesn’t feel good. They are most times constrained to put a call across to us and ask for some legal advice, probably for a relative or friend who called on them knowing that they are lawyers. They have to call because they have lost touch with the Law, they are no longer sure of what they once knew as a certain principal of Law, God forbid that i feel that way any day in my life. I can’t imagine telling someone “ oh sorry I am not practicing, although I am a Lawyer”. WHY I CHOSE TO BE A LAWYER? Well it’s a long story but let’s see how short I can be. Growing up, I had made up mymind to be a Catholic priest. After primary school, I immediately took the seminary Exam, passed but when it was time to start school, I was shocked by my Dad “ you are not going to the seminary, Ex-seminarians don’t do well” With this words, crisis started not only in my life but in our family because my mum was fully in support of my ambition. Angered by my father’s refusal to allow me go to the seminary, I made attempt while in secondary school to join the Army but that too didn’t work out. I was later admitted to study philosophy at Unizik, Awka. Due to the fact there were lots of Ex-Seminarians there, my desire to join the seminary was once more rekindled, until one day during my first semester break. The foremost Lawyer from my town, Frank Ekwunife, visited my Dad at home. In the course of their conversation, he reminded my Dad that though he couldn’t make it to become a Catholic priest, that as a Lawyer, “ He is a priest serving at the temple of justice” from that moment, I decided to go for that kind of priesthood. I couldn’t let the holiday end before buying JAMB form, and subsequently, I was admitted to the faculty of Law, Anambra State University MOST CRITICAL TIMES? Challenges abound in practice, but I think my most critical time was when I had to appear in court as a junior to take a very contentious application against a renowned Learned Senior Advocate because my principal missed his flight and the judge refused my application for adjournment. I got confused midway, my colleagues in court confused me further by attempting to give me hints. At the end, the ruling was delivered and to my surprise, it was in our favor. WHAT DETERMINES PROGRESS IN PRACTICE? For one to be successful in practice, one has to be fully dedicated to it. It is never easy but I seriously doubt if you can combine practice of Law with anything and be successful in it. HOBBIES? I love football, and music. I am a staunch supporter of Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League. I am hoping to someday drop a music album, certainly Gospel music. EXPERIENCE AS A YOUNG LAWYER? I must say that being a young lawyer who is interested in practice is not encouraging especially in this Abuja. Imaging where a Junior in a law firm is paid #20,000, monthly, while his/her rent per anum is #300,000, where does he/she get the balance from? You have not added living expenses. I strongly suggest that the NBA should do more to better the condition of young lawyers, as many easily abandon practice due to difficulty in surviving in it. MOST INFLUENCIAL PERSON? The most influencial person to me is my former principal, Dr. GarbaTetengi (SAN). He is the reason I chose to remain in practice despite the difficulties associated with it. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT? Perseverance, dedication and hard-work, the only key to success. Practice pays later in Life. It is not a means of making money quickly, but gradually, you will become comfortable. ]]>