Lawyer of the Month (Aug 2024) – Onyinye Igweonu

Onyinye Igweonu, our Lawyer of the Month of August, takes us on a journey from her days as a law student to her time practising as a young lawyer. She also shares useful tips for law students and young lawyers.

 

• Kindly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, my name is Onyinye Igweonu. I graduated from the University of Lagos and then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus after which I was called to the Nigerian Bar. I am currently an associate in SimmonsCooper Partners.

 

• Let’s look back a little. Tell us about your undergrad experience.

Ah, easier times, lol.  Looking back, I actually quite enjoyed my undergraduate experience. I met many amazing people, attended engaging classes, the constant drama in school and even had some lecturers who were hilarious. Although the exams weren’t exactly fun, the overall experience was quite enjoyable. Is it weird to say I kinda miss it?

 

• Seems you were quite involved in a number of extra-curricular activities. Tell us more about these. How did you balance all that with school work?

Yes, I was involved in a number of extracurricular activities during my university days. I served as the Vice President of the Law Students’ Society and was involved in several other associations before and after that role.

Honestly, balancing these responsibilities with my schoolwork was quite challenging at the time. However, I learned that effective time management and prioritization are key. You know the saying, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”? It applies here. It’s essential to allocate time for your commitments while also staying on top of your schoolwork, as good grades are ultimately the goal. Additionally, as a leader, procrastination is not an option; if tasks pile up, it can become overwhelming!

• You made a first class from the Nigerian Law School. Share with us your NLS success story; the good, bad, and perhaps the ugly.

My experience at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus can be written into a book! That’s how memorable it was. One of the greatest highlights for me was meeting incredible people. I always say that Law School is a meeting point for amazing, intelligent and genuine people, at least in my experience. Another highlight was the things I learned and knowledge gained. I might sound like a nerd, but the classes were insightful, and I enjoyed learning these legal principles.

The not-so-fun part was definitely the reading and pressure—it was a lot. I was all about my books and didn’t have time for anything else. Another not-so-fun part was when my phone was stolen during externship, and it contained all my materials, pictures, and videos. It was heartbreaking. I think I went through the stages of grief, lol. It wasn’t funny at all but I had to pick myself up, refocus, and I also prayed about it a lot.

I read the NLS success story of Mayowa Abiru, the best graduating student in 2019, and a statement he made resonated with me: to give everything I had so that, looking back, I would say I had nothing else to give (paraphrased). I even pasted it where I could see it every day.

Overall, my experience at the Nigerian Law School was truly a memorable one.

 

• Which area(s) of law do you practice in and at what point did you opt for such areas?

I currently practice in Corporate Commercial law, focusing on Private Equity, Mergers and Acquisitions, Competition Law, SME Startups, and Commercial Litigation.

As for the point at which I opted for these areas, I’d say they found me. These are the areas I’m mostly involved in at my law firm, and I enjoy them.

Also, in university, I was particularly drawn to corporate law courses, so I naturally gravitated toward them.

However, I try to keep an open mind on practice areas as a young lawyer.

 

• How have you found practice so far as a young lawyer?

It’s quite demanding but overall rewarding. It’s always satisfying to know that you’ve helped a client or contributed to solving a problem.

• You recently emerged as the best student in Corporate Governance at the December 2023 ICSAN Professional Examinations. Tell us why you opted for this certification. What’s your advice for those who are looking to take the exams?

As I mentioned, I naturally gravitate toward Corporate Law because I quite enjoy it. When I heard about the exams, I knew I would definitely take them, and I liked the idea of becoming a Chartered Secretary.

My advice for those planning to take the exams is to start preparing early. As a lawyer, you’re likely familiar with the principles, but the courses often take a different angle, so it’s best to begin preparation as soon as possible. Personally, I only attended tutorials for Corporate Finance Management because it involved a lot of math, formulas, and accounting principles, which I wasn’t very familiar with.

However, depending on your level of understanding and analysis of each course, you might choose to attend tutorials for other subjects as well.

 

• What’s your perspective on failure?

This is a tough one. I would say that failure means different things to different people. For me, failure has never been something I fear or dwell on. I believe that the fear of failure can sometimes paralyze one into inaction, which is probably why I don’t really think of it.

My main concern is mediocrity—not putting my best foot forward.

• From your interaction with colleagues, what are some of the challenges young lawyers face in practice that require serious attention?

The major challenge I believe young lawyers face in practice is definitely a lack of guidance. I realize that many of us lack proper guidance and end up winging it in our journey of law practice. I think law school tries to provide some form of mentorship, however, I strongly believe structured guidance and mentorship would benefit young lawyers. It’s like being at sea, having never swum before, given a swimming kit, and told to start swimming. Explicit analogy, I know, but it pretty much sums up the situation.

 

• When she’s not working, what’s Onyinye up to?

Onyinye enjoys surfing the net, playing the piano, and posting funny stories and memes on her obscure blog.

 

• ⁠Any final words/advice for law students and young lawyers?

For law students: Always give your best in everything you do. Embrace volunteering, leadership roles, and opportunities rather than shying away and convincing yourself you can’t handle them. An important question to ask yourself is, “What’s the worst that can happen or be said here?” You’ll often find it’s usually not as weighty as you’ve made it out to be. Be audacious, genuinely meet people and importantly, strive to achieve good grades.

For young lawyers: As someone about two years post-call, I share my advice based on what I’ve learned so far and been advised. Be diligent in even the smallest tasks—give each one your best effort. Believe in yourself and your future. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, no matter how silly they may seem, and remember that the internet is a valuable resource for research when you need more information. Make time for yourself, practice self-love, engage in self-reflection, and invest in building your personal brand.

Most importantly, for both law students and young lawyers, as a Christian, I emphasize that the place of God cannot be overemphasized. Seek God’s guidance and put Him first.

 

I’d also like to thank Legal Pages for the warm invitation to interview with you. I used to read Legal Pages in university, so it’s a beautiful full-circle moment to be featured now. Thank you.