In this edition of Young Business Lawyer, we feature Abasiemediong Etuk, MCArb, of KENNA LP, whose practice spans dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), corporate governance and regulatory compliance, banking and capital markets, and energy. We explore her professional journey, insights on the evolving legal landscape, and perspectives on building a successful career in business law.
1. What do you think sets successful young lawyers apart in today’s legal industry?
The legal industry is very competitive and to succeed as a young lawyer in the industry, you must combine strong technical skills with exceptional communication and commercial awareness. Successful young lawyers in advising clients, first ensure to understand business problem behind the question and provide a solution oriented legal opinion to the client. This is because clients value lawyers who beyond the display of mastery of the laws also understands their business and can provide strategic solutions within the bounds of the law. Successful young lawyers are also adaptable, embracing ethical use of tech and AI tools for more efficient service delivery and build clients’ trust through availability and reliability.
2. What alternatives to traditional legal practice are prevalent amongst young lawyers and why?
Many young lawyers are moving in-house early in their careers, which could be due to pursuit of better work-life balance or deeper involvement in business strategy. Legal tech is also booming; lawyers are joining startups or ALSPs that use technology to deliver services differently. There is also growing interest in consulting roles that blend legal and business advisory. Some young lawyers prefer these alternatives because they often offer greater flexibility and a wider range of problem-solving approaches.
However, it is also important to recognise that the state of the judiciary in Nigeria hallmarked by administrative bottlenecks, long adjournments and arguable erosion of public trust in the judicial system frustrates many young lawyers into pursuing alternatives to traditional legal practice. Notwithstanding the above, I would recommend that young lawyers spend their formative years (i.e, at the least the first 3-5 years post call), in general law practice, especially litigation. This will better equip the young lawyer to succeed in any area of practice he decides to pursue in the future.
3. What are the key challenges young lawyers face within the legal profession?
One major challenge most young lawyer face is balancing speed with quality. This is because most assignments are time sensitive and young lawyers upon conclusion of the assignment usually move on to the next assignment without properly internalising the learnings from the concluded assignment. In the above regard, young lawyers are advised to always create time to have a feedback session with their supervisor on the assignment. Young lawyers are also advised to find time to review the project, processes or documents prepared and strategies formulated in the course of the project, in order to note the changes that were made and the reasons for those changes.
Furthermore, young lawyers often struggle with work-life balance as they try to prove their commitment to the Firm or company. Some young lawyers also face the challenge of limited client exposure especially where their role is focused on research work and due diligence. Lastly, the issue of mental health challenge cannot be overlooked, whilst the profession is now paying more attention to it, the challenge still persists.
4. The legal profession is fast-paced and known for its high-pressure environment, how do you manage stress?
I have learned that stress management needs to be proactive rather than reactive. I protect my boundaries where possible, like not checking emails, taking calls or responding to messages after a certain time unless urgent. I sometimes take a walk just after work and before driving home. I also break large tasks into smaller milestones to avoid being overwhelmed. When things get intense, I am not afraid to ask for help or flag capacity issues early rather than letting work quality suffer. I also make out time for rest, watching movies, travelling to new places or trying out new foods/ wine. I have found that having interests outside law helps maintain perspective.
5. What role has mentorship and networking played in your career development?
Mentorship has been invaluable, both formal and informal. I have learned practical skills from senior lawyers that you do not get from textbooks, like how to handle difficult client conversations, negotiate deadlines, think through a strategy, and even manage people. I actively seek out mentors and make sure to maintain those relationships. Networking has opened doors I did not even know existed, whether it is learning about practice areas, hearing about opportunities, or simply getting different perspectives on career decisions. I try to give back, too, by mentoring students now. Mentors do not necessarily need to be older; some mentors could be your colleagues or younger colleagues. Special recognition to my mentors, Prof Fabian Ajogwu OFR, SAN, Mrs Fatumata Coker and Ms Eunice Alasa.
