Thread by @adetolaov

Congratulations to everyone who just passed the Bar exams. After 5years (more or less) + 1 year of law school, you’re now a lawyer.

Here are some pointers on how to maximize your law career. This probably also applies also to any young lawyer.

A thread.

You are only as relevant as you can solve the problems of your clients. People just want their problems to go away, they don’t want to read a 30-page opinion on the legal meaning of “shall” and “may”. Build your career around solving real problems for people & businesses.

Don’t be in a hurry to specialize. Experiment with different areas of law. You never know what you will find interesting or be extremely good at till you try. This is one advantage of a big firm, it gives you the chance to try out a lot of things early.

The fields of law are as many as the different specializations in the world . Law is a system of order, so there is a law for everything. Read widely & be curious. Who knows you might even be the pioneer in a new area (like I did with the #AfCFTA or #TradeRemedies in Nigeria)

Make friends, especially outside of law, that’s where most of your clients will come from. Law in the end is a business, your clientele or pedigree will grow based on either your clients or your expertise. Do your best to grow both simultaneously.

No one like to admit this but know your advantages (good grades, brains, looks, sharp dresser, persuasion, good speaking, family connections, likeability etc) and use them early. They won’t maintain you long-term, but they will get you in many doors at the beginning. Own it.

You don’t have to go to court. You don’t have to end up in-house. You also can. Point is, there are a lot of options. Don’t be scared of any path. People have excelled at all. What matters is that you experiment, focus and start to build. Change any path if it isn’t working.

Earn the respect of your clients, superiors and peers. Build trust. This may come from honesty, solving problems, caring or extreme brilliant. This is important because you won’t always know the legal solution but if they trust you they will allow you time to find those answers.

On Masters, depends on if you have figured out what you want to specialize in. If you have, research if that area cares about degrees (eg. LLMs are less vital in commercial than international law). Go for a LLM where you can claim both general & specialized. Gives you flexibility

Learn in your early days how to secure clients - how to convert conversations to fees. Law in the end is a business & this is a vital skill if you plan to become a partner in a law firm or start your own private practice. Even humanitarian law can be monetized in a humane way.

Don’t be scared to charge for your services. Don’t be scared to talk about money. Of course, understand your client and creatively find a fee system that works for them (e.g. I’ve accepted equity in businesses). However, don’t be scared to let those unwilling to pay, to go.

In your first 3 years, you won’t need to show you have a lot of experience & you will also forgiven for many mistakes. Maximize it. This is the best time to secure mentors and try new opportunities (even entry jobs). The bar is lower at this point. Don’t waste it.

At some point in your career, you’ll get big breaks where you’d have to pick between your known comfort & an uncertain move. I went for the uncertain move & I haven’t regretted it. This will usually come when you figure out what you really want to do. Don’t be scared to take leap

At the early stages, try to diversify your income base and invest a lot. This may include side gigs, an investment portfolio etc. This gives you a buffer for when you have to take bigger risks later on.

Learn how to research. No matter the area of law you choose, knowing how to find the law and use it to solve problems is the singular most important skill. Don’t cram the law, just know how to find it.

A mentor once told me, “know the rules so well that you can bend it to the extreme without breaking it”. This is where the best lawyers live. Know the rules, the exceptions, and the exceptions to the exception’s exception. This is the reason you will earn the big bucks!

Know how to market yourself. Maximize every platform - write articles, attend & speak at conferences, organize things. This is how to stand out. The faster you stand out the better. Also learn how to network & leave a lasting impression (e.g solve a problem. Always works)

I always advise that you learn under someone first. Gives your credibility and discipline. Be a fast learner. Plan for every scenario you can think of & work hard but also socialize (more deals are done in causal settings than in offices).

Be that person that knows what others don’t know (some develop good contacts) & who makes your everyone’s life easier. That way, even if they don’t like you, you will be indispensable, respected and valued even if you decide to move elsewhere. Ensure you’re always wanted.

Not everyone is going to practice. If you don’t plan to, drop the certificate with those who made you study law and pivot quickly. People have found huge successes outside law. Don’t be stuck trying to make what you hate work. It’s stressful, depressing & draining.

As you build your career, build a community - those you look up to who will recommend you in places of opportunities, peers who you’re both supporting yourselves & juniors you’re helping.

Protect your mental health. Don’t stay in a toxic everyone. Have a plan. Don’t be scared to start afresh if you bungle things up. Don’t worry most people are also winging it. Don’t get overwhelmed.

If you’re economically disadvantaged when you start your career, find your selling point - may be hard work, brains or persuasion. Don’t feel or act inferior. Once we all wear a suit or native, no one can tell our stories except us. Clients just want someone to solve problems.

Getting a job is easier if you have a relationship in the firm, this is where LinkedIn, your university lecturer, that your father’s friend comes in. If your results aren’t good, create an exceptional pitch to the law firm. Someone once offered volunteered till he got an offer.

There are many successful lawyers to look up to, in Nigeria & globally. There are also many areas & space to build a name for yourself. Wishing you a successful law career.

In the wise words of legendary Barrister Atomic esq, “ My Lord, may I, can I?”