LEGAL EDUCATION: ACT ONE SCENE ONE.

There seems to be a gap between what is taught in the law programmes in the universities and what is needed in legal practice. This gap is not unique to the law but a specific aspect in this gap is our major preoccupation here at the IBARU-McKENZIE BLAWG i.e. the professional marketing of legal services.
So, this is not a critique of the legal education system, it is really a pointing out of current realities and a pointer that the next step in the evolution of the practice of the law should now be taken, especially by the law firm.

There are fundamental business realities concerning the practice of the law that never come into the mind of the law student during his entire study programme of about 6 years, unless perhaps in the vague notion that he has to get a good job at a good law firm.
The most basic reality is that the law firm is a business, the practice of the law is a business and from this basic reality with all its consequences everything else flows. You should consider this idea as the foundation of everything that goes on at the law firm and yours truly suggests that the old timers who had to go through hell to discover this precious gem and now keep it away from younger lawyers are the ones who give the old timers a really bad rep. Teach the law associate/student the ability to look at the law as a business and watch the practice of the law bloom and develop in ways that only an economy that has the most brilliant and innovative and young minds engaged, can.
A rising tide lifts all boats so the deliberate promotion of this idea will mean the quality and hustle of the individual legal practitioner will get better and this will feed into the entire system, producing better lawyers, better arguments and a better reputation.

For suggestions that the individual lawyer should get it himself: this defeats the purpose of progress or achievement, a part of which is the mapping of the territory which makes further progress remotely possible and the legal practice system is built on the idea that there must be pupillage, the period where the greenhorn is shown the ropes. Even with this the ability of the individual will always matter so the lazy lout will always be thrown out on his ears. But which Nigerian lawyer is lazy? Just look at the effort they put in in rain, sleet or heat and it is only when they see that there is a basic component hat is missing from their work that it dawns on them that they do not have a snow ball's chance in hellfire and that mere labour will not get it done. In a sense they were doomed from the beginning because the legal education system left out vital survival skills that they would need in the jungle of the legal services marketplace.

However, many others go through the exact same system and become great and profitable but this focus on individual achievement defeats the purpose of setting up a system in the first place: a system is the only way to transfer productive knowledge to the largest number of people. And if the legal system cannot do this how will we ever have billion dollar, international firms that can pave the way for our local business to go global? Have you noticed the moment there is international business some chaps across the Atlantic are engaged to advise?

Doing Business In Nigeria.

Hi there! So we also work with businesses who are looking to expand into other markets and help them make it happen. For all you businesses that have been stymied in your efforts to get real, actionable market intelligence for whatever reason, we are here to help. Here is what our offer looks like, if it harmonizes with your business interests get in touch with us on +234 802 630 9337 and at ibarumckenzie@yahoo.com

A Commercial Opportunity Initiative

We would like to offer you the opportunity to participate in a cross-border business development initiative that will enhance your revenues and expand your business footprint.

The essence of this initiative is to offer you the information and resources to participate in the Nigerian Economy and that you also offer the same information and resources as well.

We offer to:

1.       Keep you informed with detailed and specific on-the-ground insight and interpretations of happenings and economic opportunities that you or your clients may invest in.

2.       Provide business insight on the formal and informal sectors of the Nigerian economy to support your investment decisions.

3.       Carry out detailed feasibility studies on potential investments.

4.       Search for and offer opportunities to diversify your investment portfolio.

5.       Work as your direct representative presence here in Nigeria, giving you a clear sense of events.

6.       Guide you and your investments through the Nigerian economic and regulatory landscape.

This opportunity has infinite application, could connect technical services, finished goods in our respective economies and expand the market for raw materials, products and services.

To build a strong foundation for our future work together, rest assured that we will exert superior efforts to bring our transactions to a profitable conclusion.

So there you have it, Happy Hunting...

In English, What Lawyers Actually Do.

1. Litigation; When you have a disagreement with someone else or another company or government, the lawyer takes your own side of the matter and explains to the court system why you are right and the court should say you are right and the other side is wrong. This also means that the court will tell the other side to give you what you want and also some more for the trouble you went through of hiring a lawyer to explain your case. So, a lawyer uses his knowledge of the rules of the legal system and the fact that he alone is qualified to ‘enter’ the court system by law, by going through legal training and then explains your case to the court on your behalf and explains to you how the your case will go through the legal system and how to fit it in to the legal system.

2.  Explains the law; what the law says about a specific or general matter and what that means to your own situation; The law is everywhere and affects all that you do so you may be unaware of what the law says on a particular or specific matter until the need or a problem or opportunity arises and you have to act to protect or advance your interests then the practical effects of the law shows up. What concerns you is, how does this law affect me, my affairs and what I am trying to get done and the lawyer explains this to you because he knows where the law is written , how to find it, what is likely to happen and most important, the consequences or benefits for you.                 

The Law tells you what you can do and how you can do it plus what you cannot do and how you cannot do it. The lawyer knows this and will tell you how it affects you and your own affairs.

There are certain acts which have to be done to address the implications of what the law says about your affairs and your plans that only the lawyer can help you carry out, by law. This is kind of a monopoly created by law just like the doctors and other trade guilds

This is the foundation of everything the lawyer does and the rest are the infinite applications in specific situations. In clear terms, everything the lawyer does can be explained in these terms and understood from this perspective.