Only 24, Kenneth Okwor is an adjunct
lecturer of Corporate Law and Practice at the Nigerian Law School,
Lagos Campus, and a Templars Law Firm Associate. In this interview, he
tells KEMI LANRE-AREMU, about his love for the legal profession and some of his career milestones.
lecturer of Corporate Law and Practice at the Nigerian Law School,
Lagos Campus, and a Templars Law Firm Associate. In this interview, he
tells KEMI LANRE-AREMU, about his love for the legal profession and some of his career milestones.
What schools did you attend?
I attended the University of Jos where I
obtained a Bachelor of Law degree; and for my vocational and
professional training, I attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.
I graduated with a Second Class Upper Honours from the University of
Jos, and First Class Honours from the Nigerian Law School. I graduated
top of my class at the Nigerian Law School, winning several awards and
prizes.
obtained a Bachelor of Law degree; and for my vocational and
professional training, I attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.
I graduated with a Second Class Upper Honours from the University of
Jos, and First Class Honours from the Nigerian Law School. I graduated
top of my class at the Nigerian Law School, winning several awards and
prizes.
What is your work history?
Presently, I am employed as an Associate
at Templars and I am also an Adjunct Lecturer of Corporate Law and
Practice at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
at Templars and I am also an Adjunct Lecturer of Corporate Law and
Practice at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
What are your job responsibilities?
At Templars, I sit primarily in the
finance practice area and we basically advise clients on matters
relating to banking, capital markets, mergers, acquisitions and other
forms of external and internal restructuring options, project finance
and other financing and refinancing structures, and general advisory
services on corporate and finance matters.
finance practice area and we basically advise clients on matters
relating to banking, capital markets, mergers, acquisitions and other
forms of external and internal restructuring options, project finance
and other financing and refinancing structures, and general advisory
services on corporate and finance matters.
At the Law School, I teach Corporate Law and Practice.
Did you set out to become a lawyer or you had other professions in mind?
I actually wanted to study Literature in
English. However, when it was time to fill the form that would enable
me sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Law was the
first choice.
English. However, when it was time to fill the form that would enable
me sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Law was the
first choice.
Why the sudden change of mind?
I do not think the decision was actuated
by any altruistic feeling or by a desire to define a path for my life.
Honestly, it was really about gaining admission to the university to
study a prestigious course. However, when I began to study Law, I saw
that I could be more and I could do more. The study of Law exposed me to
deeper issues that have gone a long way in defining who I am today and
what I represent.
by any altruistic feeling or by a desire to define a path for my life.
Honestly, it was really about gaining admission to the university to
study a prestigious course. However, when I began to study Law, I saw
that I could be more and I could do more. The study of Law exposed me to
deeper issues that have gone a long way in defining who I am today and
what I represent.
What are your areas of speciality?
I am specialising in corporate law and
finance as my core areas. For me, these areas are niche areas of
practice both in Nigeria and across the world and I believe that on
account of my love for corporate law and all that concerns it, I would
be able to learn, grow, and contribute my quota in developing the
jurisprudence in these areas.
finance as my core areas. For me, these areas are niche areas of
practice both in Nigeria and across the world and I believe that on
account of my love for corporate law and all that concerns it, I would
be able to learn, grow, and contribute my quota in developing the
jurisprudence in these areas.
You graduated with second
class upper honours from the University of Jos and a first class from
the Nigerian Law School. How did you achieve these feats?
class upper honours from the University of Jos and a first class from
the Nigerian Law School. How did you achieve these feats?
Like I always say, it was all a function
of God’s grace and hard work. Studies at the university are quite
different from studies at the Law School. The approach is very different
as the university emphasises substantive law and it is usually very
theoretical, while the Law School teaches practical law. Even though the
Law School keeps an eye out for substantive law, its emphasis is on the
practical application of these laws. Therefore, if properly utilised,
the knowledge gained from the university can play a key role in
facilitating success at the Bar Exams.
of God’s grace and hard work. Studies at the university are quite
different from studies at the Law School. The approach is very different
as the university emphasises substantive law and it is usually very
theoretical, while the Law School teaches practical law. Even though the
Law School keeps an eye out for substantive law, its emphasis is on the
practical application of these laws. Therefore, if properly utilised,
the knowledge gained from the university can play a key role in
facilitating success at the Bar Exams.
At the university, I was diligent and
hard-working, and only missed classes when they conflicted with mock
trials. Why I placed more emphasis on the mock trials was because they
taught me to contextualise the knowledge gained in class and taught me
how they would operate in practical reality.
hard-working, and only missed classes when they conflicted with mock
trials. Why I placed more emphasis on the mock trials was because they
taught me to contextualise the knowledge gained in class and taught me
how they would operate in practical reality.
At the Law School, I was also diligent
and hard-working. The Law School’s calendar was, and still is, properly
structured such that it was perfectly possible to actively participate
in the law clinic and the mock trials without missing any class, and
this contributed in making the difference.
and hard-working. The Law School’s calendar was, and still is, properly
structured such that it was perfectly possible to actively participate
in the law clinic and the mock trials without missing any class, and
this contributed in making the difference.
Can you recollect your first time in court?
Of course I can. It was June 6 this
year. My superiors at Templars insisted that I go alone. I was scared
and spent the entire weekend studying the file and rehearsing the
court’s language in front of my mirror. It was a defamation suit and we
were the counsel representing the claimant. In court that morning, I was
nervous but the longer I waited, the more relaxed I became because I
noticed that the court’s procedure was not significantly different from
the mock trials I had experienced in my undergraduate and Law School
days. When my matter was called, I got up and successfully did the
needful.
year. My superiors at Templars insisted that I go alone. I was scared
and spent the entire weekend studying the file and rehearsing the
court’s language in front of my mirror. It was a defamation suit and we
were the counsel representing the claimant. In court that morning, I was
nervous but the longer I waited, the more relaxed I became because I
noticed that the court’s procedure was not significantly different from
the mock trials I had experienced in my undergraduate and Law School
days. When my matter was called, I got up and successfully did the
needful.
Who and what have impacted your legal career so far?
I am an academic and a practitioner and I have mentors in both aspects of my professional life.
Albert Einstein is reputed to have
observed that he saw far only because he had the privilege of standing
on the shoulders of giants. My case is not different from his. My life
and my story is a product of mentorship, with my parents being my first
and foremost mentors. They inspire me and consistently encourage me to
do more. After my parents, Mrs. Adetoun Adebiyi, the Deputy Director
General and Head of Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School is one woman
who believes that there is nothing I cannot achieve. Next on the list
are my academic fathers and mentors: His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
SAN, Prof. Nnamdi Aduba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN (the one I watch
from a distance), Prof.Dakas CJ Dakas SAN, Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN,
Prof. Shaakaa, Mr. Alimi, Mrs.Odukoya, Mrs. Egbe, Mr.Ogbuanya, Mr. Sam
Oguche, Mr.Udemezue, Mrs. James, and my best friend as far as
international law is concerned – Mr. Matthias Zechariah. These persons
have, whether actively or passively, consistently spurred me to aim for
more.
observed that he saw far only because he had the privilege of standing
on the shoulders of giants. My case is not different from his. My life
and my story is a product of mentorship, with my parents being my first
and foremost mentors. They inspire me and consistently encourage me to
do more. After my parents, Mrs. Adetoun Adebiyi, the Deputy Director
General and Head of Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School is one woman
who believes that there is nothing I cannot achieve. Next on the list
are my academic fathers and mentors: His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
SAN, Prof. Nnamdi Aduba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN (the one I watch
from a distance), Prof.Dakas CJ Dakas SAN, Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN,
Prof. Shaakaa, Mr. Alimi, Mrs.Odukoya, Mrs. Egbe, Mr.Ogbuanya, Mr. Sam
Oguche, Mr.Udemezue, Mrs. James, and my best friend as far as
international law is concerned – Mr. Matthias Zechariah. These persons
have, whether actively or passively, consistently spurred me to aim for
more.
As a practitioner, Mr. Chike Obianwu
tops the list of those I work hard to be like and I learn from him
daily. Working with him and Desmond Ogba has made me commercially aware,
has changed the way I think, and given me deeper insights into the
practical application of legal principles and the provision of ‘A’ grade
services to clients.
tops the list of those I work hard to be like and I learn from him
daily. Working with him and Desmond Ogba has made me commercially aware,
has changed the way I think, and given me deeper insights into the
practical application of legal principles and the provision of ‘A’ grade
services to clients.
All these persons have had positive
impacts on my legal career and have contributed in pushing me this far
in my very young career. I mean, I only became a year old at the Bar on
December 16, 2016.
impacts on my legal career and have contributed in pushing me this far
in my very young career. I mean, I only became a year old at the Bar on
December 16, 2016.
What key skills and qualities must one possess to become a successful solicitor/barrister?
Humility, hard work, diligence, high
moral and ethical standards, commercial awareness, reliability, a sound
knowledge of the law, continuous professional development, and of
course, paying clients!
moral and ethical standards, commercial awareness, reliability, a sound
knowledge of the law, continuous professional development, and of
course, paying clients!
What do you think are the most important characteristics and abilities for any person’s success?
At the risk of sounding ecclesiastic,
grace is a necessary tool for success in whatever we do. In addition to
grace, anyone who wants to attain success must merge humility with hard
work, smart work, diligent work, and excellent work. Having said that, I
must state that I would typically not advice anyone to pursue success
alone. I advocate excellence and if I am permitted to quote Ranchoddas
of the 3 Idiots, “pursue excellence and success will pursue you pants
down.”
grace is a necessary tool for success in whatever we do. In addition to
grace, anyone who wants to attain success must merge humility with hard
work, smart work, diligent work, and excellent work. Having said that, I
must state that I would typically not advice anyone to pursue success
alone. I advocate excellence and if I am permitted to quote Ranchoddas
of the 3 Idiots, “pursue excellence and success will pursue you pants
down.”
How did you arrive at the decision to become an Adjunct Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School?
I have always wanted to teach and I
developed that dream while I was a sophomore at the University of Jos.
However, the opportunity to teach came when I least expected it and at a
level that is best left to imagination. In my eyes, the Law School is a
sacred institution reserved only for superior legal minds and I did not
permit myself to dream of teaching at the Law School because I did not
know that I had the requisite superior mind. Consequently, when Mrs.
Adebiyi invited me to be her adjunct lecturer, I was overwhelmed with
joy and disbelief.
developed that dream while I was a sophomore at the University of Jos.
However, the opportunity to teach came when I least expected it and at a
level that is best left to imagination. In my eyes, the Law School is a
sacred institution reserved only for superior legal minds and I did not
permit myself to dream of teaching at the Law School because I did not
know that I had the requisite superior mind. Consequently, when Mrs.
Adebiyi invited me to be her adjunct lecturer, I was overwhelmed with
joy and disbelief.
How do you relate with your students considering your young age?
That has been a challenge – a major
challenge actually. I started out by being very friendly with them, but
trust students, they started abusing it. Then I switched and became
strict, and they said I was proud. Even elderly students consistently
try to use the age factor against me. But by and large, God has kept me
through. I try to be very friendly with them, but I draw lines where
necessary.
challenge actually. I started out by being very friendly with them, but
trust students, they started abusing it. Then I switched and became
strict, and they said I was proud. Even elderly students consistently
try to use the age factor against me. But by and large, God has kept me
through. I try to be very friendly with them, but I draw lines where
necessary.
What is your ultimate career goal?
To develop the jurisprudence in the
theory and practice of corporate law and finance in Nigeria as a scholar
and as a practitioner, to fight for a vibrant Nigerian Bar that is made
up of lawyers who are driven by a positive sense of ethics and high
professional conduct, to fight for the protection of human rights
(particularly the rights of internally displaced persons), to make
positive impacts on legal education pre-call and mandatory continuing
professional development post-call. These are at the vanguard of the
career I am building.
theory and practice of corporate law and finance in Nigeria as a scholar
and as a practitioner, to fight for a vibrant Nigerian Bar that is made
up of lawyers who are driven by a positive sense of ethics and high
professional conduct, to fight for the protection of human rights
(particularly the rights of internally displaced persons), to make
positive impacts on legal education pre-call and mandatory continuing
professional development post-call. These are at the vanguard of the
career I am building.
In between all that you do, what other things interest you?
Classical music! They always bring peace
with them. I also love to watch law-related television series. Arts and
nature also interest me. Besides these, I lead a very boring life!
with them. I also love to watch law-related television series. Arts and
nature also interest me. Besides these, I lead a very boring life!
How do you achieve a work life balance?
Truthfully, I do not. In between church,
Templars, the Law School, and my personal efforts towards
self-development, I have no extra time to myself. Right now, the
prospects of a work life balance for me is utopian.
Templars, the Law School, and my personal efforts towards
self-development, I have no extra time to myself. Right now, the
prospects of a work life balance for me is utopian.