By John Austin Unachukwu
LawPAvilion Business Solutions Ltd has confirmed its partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to provide Electronic Law Reports to Young Lawyers.
Its Managing Director Ope Olugasa, at the weekend, commended the administration of NBA President Paul Usoro (SAN) for the initiative.
He said: “The beneficiaries of this initiative are young lawyers between one and seven years post-call, who paid their annual practice fee on or before the deadline stipulated in the Legal Practitioners’ Act.
“Majority of these young lawyers are still trying to find their foothold in the industry, learning the ropes and mostly without a robust income.”
Olugasa also praised the NBA for sourcing for palliatives in aid of young lawyers’ careers.
“We believe the saying: ‘give a man a fish and you feed him for a day but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ By empowering these young lawyers with Law Pavilion Electronic Law Reports, NBA has taught them how to fish. I hope the beneficiaries will make the best use of the opportunity afforded them,” he said.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic hit the legal industry hard, particularly with courts being shut for over a month, noting that lawyers who embraced technology were able to function.
“It was difficult and practically impossible for some law firms to continue to render their legal services and this led to some losing briefs or clients. However, only a certain percentage of practitioners who had embraced technology, through the use of Law Pavilion products, were able to stay up and running all through the period.
“There has been a paradigm shift and COVID-19 has accelerated things technology-wise. Two years ago, nobody would have thought that the International Bar Association (IBA) or NBA conferences could be held virtually and, that now, virtual conferences, virtual meetings, remote work, e-filing and remote hearing are the new normal,” Olugasa said.
He added: “Apart from adding new features to enhance the company’s existing products to ensure optimal performance, the company will soon be unveiling a couple of products that will not only benefit lawyers, law firms and judges, but will be of great benefit to every Nigerian’’.
In a related development, apresidential aspirant in next month’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections, Dele Adesina (SAN), has commended the NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), for the provision of Law-Pavilion Electronic Law Report and Legal Research software licences to young lawyers.
Adesina, a former NBA General Secretary, noted that the licences were made available to post-Call ages 1 to 7 who had paid their Bar Practice Fees as at March 3, 2020.
He described the provision as a “thoroughly thought-out initiative”.
Adesina also lauded “other creative ideas including but not limited to the NBA Welfare Committee ably led by Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN for the benefit of the young members of the Bar”.
Congratulating Usoro and his exco, the Silk added that this was a positive institutional welfare programme capable of enhancing law practice.
Adesina said: “This innovative idea is highly commendable as it presents ample opportunity for lawyers to fully embrace technology in their various practices.
There is no doubt in my mind that this laudable provision of Law-Pavilion will ensure that they remain safe and able to work seamlessly from their respective homes and/or offices, while coping effortlessly with the seeming challenges presented by COVID-19 in the short run. In the long run, the innovation will enable young lawyers to be more proficient in legal research, case analysis and review of legislations among other things and this would make them more beneficial to themselves, their principals, clients and the society at large.
“Personally, it is my view that this laudable achievement is one which both you and your entire team must take pride in as initiators. It is an initiative worthy of support and continuity in our quest to provide institutional support for the young members of our profession.
“Good lawyers are not the lawyers who know the law but lawyers who know where to find the law. The initiative will no doubt produce good lawyers that will secure the future of our profession through knowledge, wisdom and good understanding of the workings of the profession.
Leave a Reply