Nuggets From the Bar - Part II
We hope you enjoyed the first part of our two-part blog series, “Nuggets from the Bar”. Today, we bring you the second part of the blog featuring more submissions from lawyers including law firm partners. Enjoy!
Every work assigned to you is an opportunity not just to deliver on a task but also to learn. That means reading on the area beyond what is required to deliver on the task. For instance, if you are to review a mining agreement, take the opportunity to read all the relevant laws on mining. If you are given facts to write a statement of claim in negligence, read at least one textbook on negligence.
Expand your area of interest and knowledge because there are some areas of law not taught in law school.
Develop your soft skills – teamwork, problem-solving, communication, time management, adaptability, interpersonal skills, negotiation, etc. Be very intentional about them.
(Ferdinand D. Adadzi – Partner at AB & David Africa; Lecturer at GIMPA Law Faculty & Author of “Modern Principles of Company Law in Ghana”)
Have an exit plan. Knowing when and how you will "retire" from private practice helps to keep you focused and is a bit of motivation to get up and get going when the job begins to weigh on you.
Be patient: The money will come. Some will see it early, but eventually it comes to us all. Do not rush. Do not be greedy. That is how career-ending mistakes are made.
Do not be shy: You were called to the Bar for a reason. You know more than you think you do. Take a breath, think through whatever has been assigned to you and make informed decisions. In court, speak up, be confident, do not back down from a winning argument even with a judge (though you may choose not to prolong an argument, make your point and have it on record).
Have fun. There is joy in the mischief of litigation. Other lawyers are your friends at the end of the day. Do not let your clients' problems ruin your relationships. Battle till the court gives its decision then shake hands with your colleagues on the other side.
Your clients' problems are not your problems. There is a tendency to take on other people's headaches in this job. Know where your obligation to your clients end.
(Agyenim Agyei-Boateng - Associate, Oseawuo Chambers & Co)
Your home must be peaceful; work suffers when there is no peace in the home. Focus on comporting yourself and building systems and practices in the home that foster peace.
At the beginning of your practice, try to learn everything, including the “non-legal” aspects of practice, such as the clerks' work. Go to the ground and see how elements of such “non-legal” work are handled.
Pick a particular person, a judge or an experienced practitioner and dedicate time to study his/her style and exploits. If they are speaking at events, make time to attend.
Get a business sense early; see yourself as a “seller”, not only as a “professional”. With this, you can pick soft skills that will drive your competitiveness and prepare you in case you decide to set up your own practice.
Knowledge of the law is insufficient, but knowledge of systems and industry will improve your problem-solving skills. Spend time early in your practice to acquire this kind of knowledge.
Volunteer when all else is declining. The rewards will come to you big time when you least expect them.
Have a journal, record landmark and interesting transactions/cases you have been involved in and set out the key lessons learnt. Such records can help enhance your efficiency as they serve as quick references. You can even create a book out of it.
Keep precedents, they always come in handy.
Between 30 years to 38 years can be a good time to consider making a move to set up your practice if you want to do so. Some set up their practice later, but it should not be too late.
Have at least one competence (M&A, project finance, arbitration, or corporate finance) which sets you out as an expert and work to maintain your name to be associated with this competence.
Lastly, trust in God. Anchor your practice on values higher than law.
(Benjamin Sackar - Partner, AB & David Africa)
“Congratulations once again, guys! I’ve got three nuggets to share:
Lawyering skills are learnable. You have been learning your whole life and made it this far, so you can definitely do this! Improve your technical competence and soft skills and learn as much as possible from others. We learn from task to task, so do not be intimidated by someone’s mystical genius. Just keep learning.
Find something you enjoy about the work. Having this can help you keep at it, although you need more than feeling. But it helps. Sometimes with competence comes passion, or so I hear, haha.
Maintain a creative outlet if that is your thing and have a support system. When things get all-consuming, it is helpful to have channels to remain sane and human. Take care of your mental health because your mind/thinking is a fundamental part of the work.
Have a fulfilling law career/journey!
(Yaa Boatemaa Ohene- Bonsu, Adjaho & Adjaho (Knightsclid Chambers))
The legal profession entails more than your knowledge of the law. There is more to law practice than you have ever been taught in law school, so be open-minded to learn new things.
To be successful and relevant, your RELATIONSHIPS and ASSOCIATIONS matter. Know that there are shoulders you can stand on and excel even in your ignorance. Build meaningful relationships and associations with judges, seniors at the bar, colleagues, clerks, and all other stakeholders. It can be a game-changer for you and your career.
Know that being a practising lawyer is more stressful than your days as a student. So strive to maintain a balanced life and take your mental health seriously.
Above all, put your trust in God and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
(Douglas Kwakye- Duah – Assistant Legal Counsel, Ministry of Finance)
