What does success mean for the female lawyer? A healthy bank balance, becoming a Senior Advocate or judge or just fulfilment in one’s career/vocation? Women lawyers from across the country gathered in Lagos for the fourth annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) to discuss thriving in a male-dominated profession, reports Deputy News Editor JOSEPH JIBUEZE
When Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, daughter of the eminent legal giant Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), decided to leave active legal practice to pursue her passion for art, theatre and filmmaking, many wondered what was the problem with her.
Here was a well-trained young lawyer, raised by a formidable legal mind, about to take an uncertain path.
Even the great Aare Babalola could not believe it at first. But his daughter eventually made him proud by having the courage to decide her fate.
Her decision paid off. Passionate about what she does, Austen-Peters has been described by CNN as “the woman pioneering theatre in Nigeria.”
Aside from founding the Lagos culture centre Terra Kulture in 2003, Austen-Peters is a multiple award-winning movie and theatre director/producer.
Her company, BAP Productions, has produced some of the best movies and dramas, including for Netflix. Her Terra Academy for the Arts has partnered with Mastercard Foundation to offer free education in sound, stage and set design, animation and scriptwriting for thousands.
Austen-Peters was fittingly the keynote speaker at the fourth Annual General Conference & International Women’s Day 2024 of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBA WF) with the theme: “Beyond the Balance Sheet: Redefining Success for Women in Law.”
The conference, which featured 30 speakers during the six plenary sessions at the Oriental Hotel, also featured a pre-conference cocktail, a health talk and a dinner.
The session themes were: “Enabling a supportive professional ecosystem for female lawyers,” and “Growing your business: what to know about people and financial management.”
Others were: “The role of technology in advancing gender equity,” “Elegance, etiquette and panache – mastering personal branding for female lawyers,” “Health, wealth and everything in between – a blueprint for success,” and “Defining success for female lawyers – navigating the path to career success.”
Among the panellists were Justice Atinuke Ipaye of the Lagos High Court, professors of law Foluke Dada and Oluyemisi Bamgbose (SAN), Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), former NBA Section on Business Law chairman George Etomi, his successor Seni Adio (SAN) and a member of the German Bar, Imke Boerner.
Austen-Peters stressed that women have their work cut in a world where men are believed to have an edge.
She said: “People perceive us as not doing well and that the men are better, but we need to change the perception.”
The first step for every female lawyer, she said, is to decide the path she wants to take and to stay focused.
“Success is about liking yourself and what you do, what makes you happy, not your balance sheet.
“Know what you want to do, and once you decide, the stars will align.
“Your passion and love for what you do will make way for you when things appear difficult.
“It is important to like what you do and that makes you happy,” she advised.
According to her, women lawyers must lift and encourage each other, and avoid tendencies that tend to pull others down.
“Men network through clubs. They play golf and talk business.
“Rather than join anger clubs and gossip, (women lawyers should) talk about where you want to be positioned.
“Nigeria needs to hear our voices. Nobody silences you, so we need to stand up and take our place,” she said.
What does success entail for the female lawyer? Austen-Peters said: “There are many value-adding opportunities in the legal space. We must determine where our strength lies. Your passion will help you overcome obstacles.
“External forces should not decide for you what makes you happy. Whatever you choose to do, be determined to be the best version of yourself.”
Pedro: journey to gender equality ongoing
Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), urged women lawyers to continue to stand out.
He quoted Maya Angelou, who said: “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
Pedro added: “Together, let us stand up, let us speak out, and let us work tirelessly towards a future where every woman, regardless of her background or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed in the legal profession and beyond.”
He acknowledged that women lawyers operate “in a world where the scales of justice often shake, where the voices of the marginalised struggle to be heard, and where the journey towards gender equality remains ongoing.”
The SAN hailed the NBA WF for empowering women lawyers through various initiatives, noting that the theme “encapsulates the essence of our collective aspirations towards fostering greater economic inclusion and empowerment for female lawyers and women in general”.
“It challenges us to look beyond conventional metrics of success and to strive for holistic advancement and fulfilment,” Pedro said.
Abiodun: women lawyers well placed to drive change
The first lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, represented by Elizabeth Oyeleke, believes the theme challenges women lawyers to look beyond traditional measures of success and consider their holistic well-being and advancement in the legal profession and beyond.
She said: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is crucial to recognise the pivotal role that women lawyers play in our society.
“Women lawyers are not just legal practitioners; they are advocates for justice, equality, and fairness.
“They are trailblazers who pave the way for future generations of women to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
“Women lawyers are uniquely positioned to address the issues that women face every day, including the gender pay gap, gender-based violence, and other inequalities.
“The law is a powerful tool that can be used to advocate for change, and women lawyers have the knowledge, skills, and passion to drive meaningful change in our society.
“It is imperative that we continue to support and empower women lawyers, ensuring that they have access to opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
“Mentorship workshops and conferences focusing on gender equality, leadership, and personal development, such as those organised by the NBAWF, are instrumental in equipping women lawyers with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in their respective fields.
“As we strive for gender equality and women’s empowerment, let us remember that our actions today will shape the future for generations to come.”
Success beyond financial metrics, says Okorocha
NBA WF Chairperson, Chinyere Okorocha, noted that the theme underscored the forum’s core mission: to empower female lawyers for success.
She said: “We recognise that success in the legal profession goes far beyond mere financial metrics or professional accolades.
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“It encompasses personal fulfilment, societal impact, and the ability to overcome barriers and challenges with resilience and grace.
“We are reminded of the immense strides that women have made in the legal profession, both in Nigeria and around the world.
“However, we also recognise that there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality and inclusivity within the legal profession.”
Alli: we must shatter glass ceilings
Chair of the conference planning committee, Folashade Alli (SAN), said the scale of justice is “tilted” against women, who she said “have to work twice as hard to succeed”.
She added: “The theme of this conference is apt, especially in the legal profession where the scales of justice often seem to be tipped against female lawyers as female lawyers often have to work twice as hard as their male counterparts to be recognised.
“We live in an era where success is too often measured by financial success.
“We recognise that success is not confined to billable hours or profit margins but is also about the impact we make on lives, the support we render to our colleagues and the lasting legacy we leave behind.
“This conference has, therefore, been organised to challenge this paradigm as we women refuse to be confined by the constraints of conventional metrics.
“We are gathered to reaffirm our commitment to shattering those glass ceilings, to defy the status quo, and to forge a new path where every woman in law can thrive, unencumbered by prejudice or inequality.
“For us at the NBA WF, we understand that true success lies in amplifying the voices of women in law.”
‘Women must collaborate’
Country Vice/National President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Suzanah Agbaje, urged women to collaborate.
She said: “In embracing this theme, let us delve deeper into the multifaceted aspects of success for women in the legal profession.
“Beyond financial metrics, let us redefine success to encompass personal fulfilment, professional growth, and societal impact.
“Together, let us chart a course that transcends traditional measures, empowering women to thrive in diverse roles and settings within the legal sphere.
“Through collaboration, advocacy, and mentorship, we can break free from outdated paradigms and forge new pathways toward equality and excellence.
“May this forum be a catalyst for transformative dialogue, inspiring each of us to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of women in law.”
‘Rebuild the woman first’
African Women Lawyers Association President, Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, was of the view that the female lawyer represents progress, possibilities and achievement, having come a long way from being a minority.
She, however, noted there were still barriers to break, and identified how to empower the female lawyer.
Ibharuneafe said: “In terms of professional achievements, impact and successes in the legal and general sphere of endeavour, there is still a lot to be achieved and vistas to be crossed.
“The space is still very much male. The Bar is still very much male-dominated.
“The term ‘we are all gentlemen at the Bar’ is male-centric, probably coined at a time when women were not allowed to be educated talk less of being called to Bar.
“The lawyer’s dress code still goes to show that the Bar is defined by the male species.
“Women wear skirts and men wear trousers, and yet all are gentlemen at the Bar ‘in skirts’.
“So, how do we then begin to redefine the success of the Women in law at the bar?
“Of course, we cannot begin to look towards changing centuries-old practices that have stood the test of time but we can redefine how we develop.
“When a balance sheet is out of balance what the company can do is to rebuild the company file first.
“So, what we must do is to rebuild the woman first before attempting to redefine her success at the Bar.
“Where do we start?
•By developing the academic abilities of women at the Bar, and in general.
•Enhance their world views, cosmogony, and attitudes.
•Improving their perspective professionally.
•Look inwards towards themselves so that they can develop from within.
“•Realising that they can be vibrant and dynamic and achieve a lot.
•Creating for progressive development.
•Capacity building and mentorship.”
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