For Sulyman Abdulrahman, the first year of legal practice has been a crucible of growth, challenge, and discovery. As a young associate at ALP NG & Co with a keen interest in the intersection of law and technology, he is charting a path defined by resilience, adaptability, and a firm belief in innovation.
Professional summary: Sulyman Abdulrahman is an associate in ALP NG & CO. He has interest in technology law and the connection of law and technology. He is a firm supporter of the adoption of technology towards the delivery of efficient legal services. He has provided legal services to clients on risk and compliance which includes data protection, corporate immigration among others.
Four Questions with Sulyman
1. What have you learned from your experience so far as a young lawyer and how has this shaped you?
As a young lawyer, I have learnt several valuable lessons that have shaped my professional journey and personal growth: One of such is adaptability as the legal landscape is dynamic and often unpredictable. This has taught me to be flexible and adapt quickly to new situations, whether it is a sudden change in case strategy or navigating the complexities of Nigerian law. Also, the challenges of handling demanding cases, long hours, and the pressure to deliver results have taught me resilience. Additionally, my experience has taught me that a sure way to stay ahead and maintain delivery of quality service to clients is to build a good relationship with regulatory bodies. Building strong relationships with them has helped me facilitate smoother communication, enhance my credibility, and gain valuable insights into regulatory changes.
These experiences have shaped me into a more confident, knowledgeable, and empathetic lawyer, ready to tackle the challenges of the legal profession.
2. What do you appreciate most about your work as a young lawyer?
There are a lot of things that I appreciate about my journey as a lawyer but I will highlight a few of them. One of which is the value of Networking and Continuous Learning. The profession thrives on relationships and reputation. I have come across opportunities that I may never have expected to get but through people and organisations that I have interacted with; I have been able to access to utilize these opportunities which have in turn made a positive impact on my career. An example of this is how I reached out to a senior lawyer on LinkedIn who gave me tips and access to his private group where I have been exposed to a lot of things on technology law. The beauty of networking is that it speeds up the learning process as I have gotten to experience firsthand industry secrets and best procedures that may have taken me a long time to learn.
3. What are some trends/changes you anticipate in the legal industry in the near future?
As a young lawyer, I anticipate several key trends and changes in the legal industry that will shape our practice in the near future:
1. Increased Use of Technology: The adoption of legal technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, is set to revolutionize the industry. AI can assist with tasks such as document review, legal research, and even predicting case outcomes, making legal processes more efficient.
2. Specialization in Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues are gaining prominence. Lawyers specializing in ESG compliance, sustainability, and climate change litigation will be in high demand as companies face increased regulatory scrutiny.
3. Collaboration between legal practitioners and technology experts: The legal sector is seeing an influx of technology experts such as software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists who collaborate with lawyers to implement and manage LegalTech solutions. This multidisciplinary approach is essential for navigating the complexities of modern legal practice
4. Growth in Specialized Practice Areas: There is increasing demand for expertise in areas such as regulatory compliance, privacy law, technology law, environmental law, and intellectual property, especially as Lagos continues to be a hub for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and media innovation. Lawyers with knowledge in these emerging fields will be highly sought after.
These trends will not only transform how we practice law but also open up new opportunities for growth and innovation.
4. What leader do you look up to and why?
That will be Mr. Senator Ihenyen. As a legal professional who has achieved a lot in the Technology and Intellectual Property legal fields, he is approachable and down to earth. I admire his ability to create a synergy between stakeholders in the technology space and the regulators. His contribution to the National Blockchain Policy for Nigeria and regulation of virtual assets in Nigeria serve as an attestation to his ability to inspire innovation.
