{"id":31763,"date":"2020-05-19T20:30:34","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T20:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dnllegalandstyle.com\/?p=31763"},"modified":"2020-05-19T20:30:34","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T20:30:34","slug":"becoming-a-successful-lawyer-post-covid-19-dr-olanipekun-san-gives-valuable-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dnllegalandstyle.com\/dnl\/becoming-a-successful-lawyer-post-covid-19-dr-olanipekun-san-gives-valuable-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming a Successful Lawyer Post Covid-19: Dr. Olanipekun SAN Gives Valuable Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"

The event was the 4th<\/sup> NBA Ikorodu Branch Whatsapp Knowledge Sharing Session \u00a0on the theme, \u201cThe Relevant Lawyer: Post Covid 19. The guest was Dr. Oladapo Olanipekun SAN.<\/p>\n

Dr. Olanipekun SAN gave very insightful and practical guide on how lawyers can leverage on their vast experience to succeed after the corona virus pandemic.<\/p>\n

On who is a relevant lawyer? <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Olanipekun SAN consider this from two perspectives; the Rule of Law and Business<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the Rule of Law perspective, a relevant lawyer is one who stands and speaks for justice, good governance, etc. One who stands and speaks against abuse, tyranny, oppression, inequality, corruption, etc. I may extend the bounds of this perspective to say that a relevant lawyer must have jurisprudential footprints in their core expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the business perspective, a relevant lawyer is one whose services are needed by the client. This is a simplistic but trite description. Most lawyers are not conscious of the fact that law is both a profession and a business. As I often say – your knowledge of the law without knowledge of the market\/clientele is of no use (and vice versa).\u201d<\/p>\n

He concluded on this by stating that to be truly relevant, a lawyer must be relevant to the client and society.<\/p>\n

On how a lawyer in a relatively rural area can market him\/herself?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

He stated that one of the factors changing the legal landscape is globalisation which has really made the location of a lawyer irrelevant. \u201cThis is underscored by the growing impact of technology on legal practice. In the past 8 weeks, we have seen that physical location does not count as much as it used to. The lines that distinguish city and non-city lawyers will get increasingly blurred in the coming months and years. As such, seeing oneself as a \u2018rural lawyer\u2019 becomes a thing of the mind rather than anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave tips on the opportunities that abound in rural areas for lawyers as follows: \u201cMy first tip is that lawyers practising in \u2018rural areas\u2019 should see beyond their present location in terms of client portfolio. If lawyers outside are looking into the rural areas for opportunities, I do not see reason why lawyers practising in the rural areas cannot look the other way.<\/p>\n

That said, I think there are opportunities in the rural areas also, the typical opportunities are in criminal law, family and civil law practice. It is good for lawyers to entrench themselves in these practice areas.<\/p>\n

There are other opportunities that lawyers practising in smaller communities often overlook. Prime of these is in agriculture. The industry generated circa N300 billion in 2019. There are incidental opportunities for lawyers in conveyancing, estate\/legacy planning, contracts, business formation, advisory services, agric-finance etc. In addition to the agric culture sector, small communities tend to be the base of MSMEs. Even if these businesses may not be able to afford much in terms of legal fees, it is undoubtful that they have many legal needs.<\/p>\n

Many innovations that have already been tested and established in urban areas are now being extended to rural areas. This is also true of many large businesses now extending their tentacles to rural areas. These innovations and business spread have attendant legal Implications and needs that lawyers can leverage on.<\/p>\n

For a lawyer practising in a small town, it is advisable to garner the requisite knowledge in relevant areas. It is also important to embark on legal education for the rural populace, in order to create awareness of the legal implications of their businesses and everyday lives.<\/p>\n

In all, affordability and simplicity are important. It is pertinent to understand the peculiarities of rural clients for purposes of business innovation and client care.<\/p>\n

Another factor that has been reshaping the legal market is consumerism. With the law school churning out thousands of lawyers yearly and new firms opening shop frequently, there is certainly a wide range of choice for clients. This is also fueled by increased competition from non lawyers.<\/p>\n

On what most clients look out for in a lawyer?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Olanipekun SAN stated; \u201cThe effect of consumerism is that client care has become the new marketing. Many lawyers and firms are becoming increasingly innovative in how they attract and provide services to clients. The ability to anticipate clients\u2019 needs is very important.<\/p>\n

To be specific, clients look for cost-effectiveness, relationship and capacity.<\/p>\n

On being relevant and making money<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

He noted that relevance and making money are intertwined. \u00a0He said; \u201cAt the risk of sounding capitalist, a lawyer is not relevant if they are not making money. Put differently, if a lawyer is relevant, they will make money. I am not equating making money with being rich. I am only saying that the indication of a relevant lawyer is the fact of fee paying clients. A lawyer with a good mix of fee paying clients, pro bono and civil advocacy work is truly relevant. Of the mix of clientele, it is the fee paying that have a choice. In any event, civil advocacy and other pro bono work require money. From personal experience, I find that lawyers who do not have a good mix (focusing on advocacy alone) may have ulterior motives.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this is realising the distinction between law as a profession\/calling and as a business. They go hand in hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the effect of the COVID 19 Pandemic on the legal profession and how lawyers should adjust to the \u2018new normal\u2019 to stay relevant<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Olanipekun SAN said; \u201cThe pandemic is unprecedented. Its effects transcend health to various other facets of human endeavour. It has been said that this is the worst shock to the world economy since the Great Depression. Many have predicted that this may be worse than the Great Depression. Already, major sectors such as aviation, oil and gas, manufacturing, entertainment, sports, tourism and finance have taken the hit (and heat). Undoubtedly, the legal profession will be affected, since we source our clientele from these sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n

As resources get scarce, clients will have less money to splash on legal services. Put differently, clients will only spend on services they consider essential. Clients will source for alternatives. Where they must use the services of a lawyer, they will go for the best service at the best price.<\/p>\n

Already, there is competition in the legal market from non-lawyers, paralegals and foreign lawyers. This means that there are alternatives even within the legal profession, where it appears the supply of lawyers exceeds demand.<\/p>\n

The good news is that there is research showing that litigation lawyers tend to fare better in a recession. Their businesses tend to be steady as legal disputes typically escalate as resources dwindle.<\/p>\n

The key to survival and relevance is professionalism. I will consider professionalism in two parts: excellence and efficiency.<\/p>\n

Excellence is now more important because clients will demand maximum value for their money. I do not see any client wasting hard-earned resources on mediocrity. Efficiency is important because clients will demand more for less. Hence, while we start to pay attention to more detail and honing our lawyering skills, we also need to pay attention to productivity as opposed to activity. Nothing will change the eternal values of hardwork, integrity and excellence. If anything, they are more important now that clients need lawyers they can trust. However, we need to embrace technology in order to simplify our otherwise arduous tasks.<\/p>\n

Ongoing health concerns have also affected the way we work. We now have limited access to court rooms, office premises, staff and other resources. The \u2018new normal\u2019 will be emphasis on technology for the conduct of our business. Unfortunately, this will result is less need and demand for man power. Again this lays emphasis on excellence. Only the best will thrive. The law firms will need the best lawyers. The clients will need the best firms. Everyone will go for value optimization – getting more for less.<\/p>\n

To stay relevant, we should be more business minded, build more resilient and forward thinking practices and be more receptive to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the importance of character, integrity and decorum to the relevance of today’s lawyer<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Olanipekun SAN stated; \u201cAs I have said, so many things are changing. Our \u2018territory\u2019 is being encroached upon by so many other professionals who can do what we do. The existential challenge for us is to show that while they may be able to do what we do, they may not be able to do what we do how we do it. This is where professionalism and character come in. Those ethos of integrity, hardwork, attention to detail, scholarship, doggedness etc are in the lawyer\u2019s DNA. I believe that these values are interminably relevant, particularly as resources get scarce and options proliferate. If we lose them, there will be little or nothing left to distinguish us, apart from the wig and gown.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the safeguards to be applied by legal professionals in an increasing competitive global market environment?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

He noted that client satisfaction is circumscribed by ethical considerations. \u201cBefore a client can be described as one strictly so-called, they must have passed ethical checks. Client satisfaction must entail meeting the client\u2019s objective within lawful limits. Also, experience matters. Objectives may be achieved while leaving the client with an unpleasant or indifferent experience. Client-care is an integral part of client satisfaction. This is where the difference is between repeat and one-off clients. For client care, the sky (being cost) should be the limit. A client who has had a good experience and who trusts his lawyer\u2019s competence may return, even if the ultimate objective is not necessarily met. It is about a service-oriented approach to practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the \u00a0tips\/advice to lawyers on how to run legal practice as a business.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Olanipekun SAN hinted that a major deficiency of our legal education\/training is the fact that there is more emphasis on knowledge at the expense of business whereas both are of equal importance. He noted that the difference between the law as a business and other businesses is that law has code of ethics (written – RPC and unwritten) which helps them to steer clear of \u2018trouble\u2019. \u00a0He urges lawyers to be business minded in every other sense.<\/p>\n

He highlighted the following important virtues: Prudence, efficiency, effectiveness, business continuity\/succession planning, commercial awareness ( understanding our business and our client\u2019s business).<\/p>\n

On how lawyers may key into global legal practice to expand client base<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

He gave the following hints<\/p>\n

Be updated on global trends in service areas and delivery.<\/p>\n

Build strategic relationships across jurisdictions.<\/p>\n

Be a thought leader in the profession and in strategic subjects.<\/p>\n

Gain traction by writing on topical issues.<\/p>\n

Focus on retaining existing clients and securing referrals.<\/p>\n

Make use of online resources.<\/p>\n

Always make an impression on your client and opposing clients. This way you will get word-of-mouth referrals.<\/p>\n

Integrity. This is a rare value, even in a global market.<\/p>\n

Compiled and Edited by\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

ADEBUKOLA OGUNKOYA<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Branch Executive Secretary)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The event was the 4th NBA Ikorodu Branch Whatsapp Knowledge Sharing Session \u00a0on the theme, \u201cThe Relevant Lawyer: Post Covid 19. The guest was Dr. Oladapo Olanipekun SAN. Dr. Olanipekun SAN gave very insightful and practical guide on how lawyers can leverage on their vast experience to succeed after the corona virus pandemic. On who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":31767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","category-opinions"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t