Welcome To The Bar By Daniel Bulusso

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand
firm…You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it
today”– Abraham Lincoln

Just last week, law graduates who were deemed “Fit and Proper”
by the Body of Benchers were called to the Nigerian Bar.

It is after the tedious, brain-straining, hectic and stressful
five years of grilling at the university and the nine months
practical learning of laws at the Nigerian Law School that your
name would be enrolled in the Supreme Court as a barrister and
solicitor.

Many of you might be disappointed with the outcome of the
results, some have been asked to resit the examination, some
graduated with first class and others got grades lower than their
expectation. Those who have been asked to resit, stay strong,
everything happens for a reason, do not relent in your effort to
make it better at the next trial. Those who feel they got less than
they deserved, please note that the grades are not placed on the
forehead of any legal professional. If you feel you are good, come
into the legal industry and prove yourself. Geniuses who made first
class, worthy of congratulation, do not feel you know it all and
relax your enthusiasm to learn.

The fact that in legal practice one is not required to read for
an examination does not mean the journey is over, on the contrary,
it has just begun. Remember all the scenarios you discussed at
group meetings for presentations in the law school. Well, you are
about to encounter them in real life almost on a daily basis on the
practicing side of the fence. When you falter, it is at the expense
of your client and your reputation despite your grade.

Please take note that the legal profession is not a bed of
roses; there is no free meal in the legal industry. Do not come
with the impression that once you become a lawyer you are
established for life. All those with the big dreams of driving
jeeps or building mansions, once they get into the profession,
should be ready for a shocker; there are numerous smart and
ambitious lawyers in the industry before your coming.

However, do not be discouraged, with hard work, smart work,
humility, consistency, commitment and patience, success would
surely cross path with you on this legal journey. Learn to package
yourself into a brand, looking smart, decent, intelligent and ready
to go.

The use of smart phones is not new to majority of your set, so
begin to use the knowledge of Information Communication Technology
(ICT) to advance the cause of justice and improve the legal
profession.

Do not be in a haste to achieve that which is far from your
grasp, be calm, cool and collected. Just as a new born baby learns
to crawl before walking, the same applies to the new wigs, they
ought to come into the profession with the desire to learn and
adapt to the legal environment; as you learn, you grow.

At this stage, a new wig ought to pay attention to his/her
strengths and weaknesses in the bid to discover where his/her
passion lies in the profession. Not all are good advocates,
likewise not all are good solicitors or orators. The idea is to
find your path early and groom such passion/talent to know how best
to put it to use to earn good income. Be careful not to get lost
and spend too much time and effort on another’s dream, ignoring
self-development. It is at this stage that a lawyer begins to lay
foundation for a good name, and a good name is gotten from a good
reputation.

To the few chosen by the Council of Legal Education, welcome on
board the Nigerian Bar, though the journey may be tough and
turbulent, if you stay focused, with a willing spirit to learn, and
accord respect to your senior colleagues, success is
guaranteed.

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