In this edition of Young Business Lawyer, we spotlight the journey of a legal professional in the formative years of practice. From adapting to the fast-evolving demands of the legal industry to identifying emerging trends and the pivotal role of mentorship, our guest shares insights, challenges, and valuable lessons that define life as a young lawyer today:
Full name: Michael Chukwu
Organisation: Africa Law Practice NG & Company (ALP NG & Co.)
Area of practice: Energy & Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Projects, Finance and Capital Markets
Years of practice: 5 Years
Professional summary: Michael Chukwu is a senior associate at ALP NG & Co, who has advised local and international clients in various areas, including commercial issues and financing transactions. He is a commercially aware lawyer, utilising his multidisciplinary experience and extensive knowledge of the law to provide comprehensive legal guidance tailored to each client’s specific needs. Michael’s expertise involves navigating complex commercial transactions, resolving disputes and delivering favourable outcomes for clients.
Four Questions with Michael….
What have you learned from your experience so far as a young lawyer and how has this shaped you?
Planning is important. In the same way that if the first button of a shirt is done up properly, the rest will line up easily; a transaction, day or a task that has been well-planned will be relatively easy to manage and complete.
Yes, there are instances where I have to move before I finalise the plan, but in those circumstances, I sometimes must self-correct when I find that I am going in the wrong direction.
Imbibing this approach continues to hold a positive impact for me. Even on days or in matters where I am confronted by several unexpected demands, having a plan/schedule that I can refer to is usually helpful in recalibrating when I am done putting out the fires.
What do you appreciate most about your work as a young lawyer?
I continue to cherish the versatility of my experience and knowledge I gain as I progress in my career as a lawyer. By giving me the opportunity to advise various clients on many transactions/matters in a wide range of sectors/practices, my work allows me to learn things that are useful at work and outside the office.
I recently had an interesting conversation about the rising operating costs for a small chain of pharmacies. During the discussion with the business owner, I was amazed by how much I still remember about the regulatory requirements of the profession and drug supply chains from my work on a cross-border financing transaction I had advised on earlier in my career.
Sometimes, it is the mundane things that seem to have little to no utility in the future that turn out useful while advising in another transaction. Sometimes it is the major limitations I experienced in undertaking a task that teach me which errors must never be repeated. Overall, spending time learning things for the first time continues to pay off as I do not have to learn them from scratch (if at all) when I encounter them again.
What are some trends/changes you anticipate in the legal industry in the near future?
Given the socio-political changes that are taking place currently, a boom in intra-Africa trade is likely to occur in the near future. Between the economic and foreign policy changes of the United States of America and the increased push for the actualisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, there should be an uptick of activity in international trade which should drive changes in various practices of law including corporate commercial legal advisory and ultimately (alternate) dispute resolution.
Nigeria is positioned to be at the centre of this tide, and this should lead to some developments in our jurisprudence and legal practice generally. While many stakeholders (such as ALP) are positioned to participate in the new dispensation, Nigerian lawyers and the government must be ready to support the country in developing a robust legal framework for fully benefiting from this future reality.
What leader do you look up to and why?
Olasupo Shasore, SAN whose brilliance and commitment continues to awe and inspire me. He is a distinguished lawyer that has been successful in public service, private practice and history. His legal expertise spans energy, electricity, infrastructure-related transactions in addition to international arbitration where he has been instrumental in advising on complex commercial and public sector disputes. His contributions have not only shaped Nigeria’s legal system but also enriched its historical narrative, making him a figure worthy of emulation.
