On the 15th of August, 2018, a network for pro bono lawyers
was organized by the Prisoner’s Right Advocacy Initiative (P.R.A.I). The
centerpiece of the event was basically to train and encourage Nigerian lawyers
working in the legal aid unit or practicing some form of pro bono services on
many ways to deliver quality services to their clients. Additionally, the
conference also aimed at isolating the challenges faced by pro bono lawyers in
discharging their duties.
was organized by the Prisoner’s Right Advocacy Initiative (P.R.A.I). The
centerpiece of the event was basically to train and encourage Nigerian lawyers
working in the legal aid unit or practicing some form of pro bono services on
many ways to deliver quality services to their clients. Additionally, the
conference also aimed at isolating the challenges faced by pro bono lawyers in
discharging their duties.
The event was hosted by Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem and Katumi Oboirien. Present
at the occasion were special guest speakers including Hannah McCrea and Nyasa Hickey from the Brooklyn Defenders Service,
New York, U.S.A and a host of other panelist including Aderera Olayinka; Shakrat Ikotu; Olumide Babalola; Lawson Olanipekun;
Mrs Mutiat, the Heads of the Prison service amongst others. A goodwill
message was presented by Meghan Chapman of
the Justice and empowerment
initiative. The panel was chaired by Janet Gbam of Fortitude attorneys. The
event was hosted at the LCCI conference center, Ikeja, Lagos.
at the occasion were special guest speakers including Hannah McCrea and Nyasa Hickey from the Brooklyn Defenders Service,
New York, U.S.A and a host of other panelist including Aderera Olayinka; Shakrat Ikotu; Olumide Babalola; Lawson Olanipekun;
Mrs Mutiat, the Heads of the Prison service amongst others. A goodwill
message was presented by Meghan Chapman of
the Justice and empowerment
initiative. The panel was chaired by Janet Gbam of Fortitude attorneys. The
event was hosted at the LCCI conference center, Ikeja, Lagos.
Some of the thoughts shared involved the applications of world best
strategizes and practices such as
strategizes and practices such as
1.
Specialization
Specialization
2.
Work together within the profession
Work together within the profession
3.
Forming Partnerships with Non-Law Professionals
Forming Partnerships with Non-Law Professionals
4.
Track Outcomes and Measure Quality
Track Outcomes and Measure Quality
5.
Targeted & Strategic Political Advocacy
Targeted & Strategic Political Advocacy
Here
are some lesson to take home from the event –
are some lesson to take home from the event –
a. Experience
+ Creativity = Quality. Lawyers must seek experience first and above pecuniary
gains. In the long run there is a better chance of offering better services to
our clients.
+ Creativity = Quality. Lawyers must seek experience first and above pecuniary
gains. In the long run there is a better chance of offering better services to
our clients.
b. Lawyers
must have a large network of Lawyer
friends and Non-Law professionals. As they can help facilitate handy solutions
to many difficulties we might have in carrying our duties to the client.
must have a large network of Lawyer
friends and Non-Law professionals. As they can help facilitate handy solutions
to many difficulties we might have in carrying our duties to the client.
c. Lawyers
must continually train others, in order to help the law profession.
must continually train others, in order to help the law profession.
d. One
major solution to solving prison congestion is enforcing community service for
simple offences.
major solution to solving prison congestion is enforcing community service for
simple offences.
e. Big
and small Firms have a shared duty of funding probono works.
and small Firms have a shared duty of funding probono works.
@Legalnaija