Thread by @Richmondokezie

Choosing & Pursuing Alternative Careers as Lawyers in Nigeria

Thread:

Besides being one of the top underpaid professions, the unemployment rate for lawyers in Nigeria is at an all time high. Some young lawyers are fortunate, 5-7yrs into the profession, they have managed ...

to become Corporate attorneys, Legal Counsels, Tax attorneys, some are even making it big in Real Estate. Others are not so fortunate, they’re still taking 30k from firms, and registering business names/Ltd companies on the side when they can – I bet this was not what they ...

spent 7yrs to become a lawyer for. But whatever category you are in, if you ever get tired of the law and considering a change of career, then this thread is for you.

The possibilities are limitless for you, that’s the good news. Now you can be anything you want to be.

But before we delve into what you can do now, we must first address why you’re leaving the law. Knowing this ‘why’ is very critical, as without it, you’d most likely not succeed in anything you choose afterwards.

Why are you tired of the law?

This might have something to do with why you decided to become a lawyer in this first place.
You aren’t getting fulfilment?
You lost passion?
You did it for your parents & now want to do something for you?
Or you’re just broke?
Did it get boring?

You must know this ‘why’ and own it.
Next, is the route.
What will it be?
Tech/IT? Administration/HR? Finance? Academic? Entertainment? Trade? The possibilities are endless in present day Nigeria.

Nevertheless, you must discover and go the route of something that is in your area of strength, passion, adventurous or simply something that can make you good money – whatever it is that made you leave the law, you must find it in the new venture.

The new venture may be an area where some of your existing lawyer skills can be transferred, in which case you will not be starting from the ground, or an area where you have no skills in, in which case, you will be starting from the ground. In my experience dealing with people..

in the situation, the former is often the easiest. I will share a few of these only, because if I have so much to say & will not be able to get in everything into this thread, lol.

Venture 1 – Talent Management:
You’re already familiar with some of the tenets of managing talent including dealing with intellectual property issues, so this is an obvious area and it has potential. You can manage Entertainers, Writers/Speakers, Business Men, etc.

How to find who to manage or how to start is entirely a different discussion. Start out with one talent and grow the talent and yourself. Maybe even start your own outfit at some point.

Venture 2 – Contract Management:
Unlike the venture 1, this one involves working for a firm. You see, contract administration is very unpopular but high value skill in construction, power/energy and oil & gas sectors.

These guys are at the centre of billion dollar deals, they handle all the administration of the contract interfacing between all the stakeholders. Much of this will be document control too, so you will oversee this.

Venture 3 – Bid & Tendering:
Companies in the consulting business survive on contracts, this cannot happen with bids & tenders. As a lawyer, you’re already familiar with proposals drafting and dealing, so your job is handling bids and ensuring the company makes and wins them.

Venture 4 – Financial Analyst (Mergers, Acquisition, Restructuring):
If you’re considering finance, then mergers, acquisitions and restructuring are areas that your lawyer skills will rub off well.

Due diligence and valuing companies before acquisition and advising during restructuring, etc. With the way Access Bank is growing by acquiring other banks, imaging what their in-house legal department looks like. Lol.

Venture 5 – Finance/tech (Funds Acquisition for Startups):

How many startups do you think are born every day in Lagos? The viable ones among them need to access funding, and often don’t even know where to start or how or the implication of their choices.

But you already know a little, and with more study and time, you can know more and even become an advisor in this field. Helping startups deal with VCs & investors.

Venture 6 - Trade (Fashion & Design):
If you're trade savvy, then this is for you. You can design, make and sell low cost legal clothing. From wigs, to shoes, to accessories. The key here is low cost. Target young lawyers, the ones that have a thing for looking good in court...

and on the job but can't always afford it. Use social media to promote the business. Sell on Konga/Jumia too. Promote it so hard, it becomes the top of the mind whenever anyone thinks fashion for lawyers.

You can consult me with small money if you need more counsel on this, lol

Like I said, this list is inexhaustive, but I believe you get the idea of how to start out now deciding what to do now that you’ve quit the law.

Cheers.
If you enjoyed the thread, you should share and follow me for more.