Positioning The Young Lawyers For A Better Future Of The Bar

I will start by a very apt quote of the famous BENJAMIN FRANKLIN which goes thus “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”. The very day I saw this quote, I wasted no time in relating to it because it totally spoke to my situation at that time. Just few months into my legal career after my call to bar as a youth corps member under the mandatory NYSC scheme. With the hunger of a lion in the forest, the thirst of a camel who has gone days without drinking water in the desert and with the inquisitiveness of a child I began my service year in a highly reputable law office of a learned senior lawyer hoping to hit the ground running by getting involved in drafting processes and subsequently having the opportunity to stage solo appearances in at least (with due respect) the lower courts in order to start developing my self confidence. But to my greatest dismay these wishes seldom came through, and as a result, I began to doubt the development I had dreamt of achieving in my early years of practice. Interestingly, I was not a lone soldier, as a lot of my passionate colleagues also plying their trades in the law offices of learned senior lawyers especially the learned silks share similar experience like me or maybe even worst because some of them whom I encountered lament that they are not even allowed access to files in their various offices. They never get the opportunity to stage a solo appearance in court to express their selves in order to develop their confidence. As if that is just a tip of an iceberg, some young lawyers who are 2-3 years post call also lament that they are yet to stage a solo appearance in court. I am more pained when I see some of my colleagues who accompany a more senior lawyer to court just to mention a case. When the young lawyers should have been left to do that very easy task that can be handled even by a law school student. The main reason always given by senior lawyers to young lawyers for the lack of opportunity given is “INEXPERIENCE”. Yes, experience differs with the number of years in practice. But it is also undeniable that experience is gotten from constant practice, mistakes and corrections of mistakes. It is noteworthy that all the professional services that could be offered by a learned silk can also be offered by a new wig. What stands out however is the level of experience used in rendering the professional services. It goes without saying that every passionate young lawyer like me, believes in their abilities as such what we crave more beyond the much needed wages is the experience gotten from the constant practice as a result of the opportunities given to us to develop in the profession. Experience is never gotten overnight but rather overtime. And experience is the end result of years of practice, mistakes and guidance. Passion is what drives us and keeps us in the practice with the hope that someday we will be at the top of the game like the learned silks who we look up to, and who would never hesitate to always remind the young lawyers of their struggle in the early years of practice. They are also honest to tell us that they are where they are today not just because of the hard work, dedication, patience they put in but also because of the much needed opportunities they got from their seniors then. Therefore, there is no gainsaying that the young lawyers are the future of the bar that play a major role in the development of legal profession, as such should be positioned well in the profession through the provision of the basic things like adequate remuneration and also involvement in the affairs of the daily practice for a better bar. The resultant effect of neglecting the welfare of the young lawyers is apparently what I may call “practice apathy” which portends a great danger to our profession. A profession that is not just instrumental to the development of Nigeria as a country but also as the last hope of the common man. It is the humble firm view of this writer that, the bar is no doubt better with the presence of the young lawyers who need to be encouraged by adequate remuneration, opportunities to thrive, guidance and support which is not too much to ask for in order to keep the passion burning for the young lawyers. The Nigerian bar association is also tasked to ensure that the young lawyers are well positioned. Shuaib Sheriff Adukke, Ssadukkes12@gmail.com]]>