Maduka Augustine Onwukeme was called to the Bar in November 2012. A blogger, he has just founded ELIX LP, a firm of legal practitioners based in Lagos. He shares the story of his legal journey with ROBERT EGBE WHY did you choose law' Are there other lawyers in your family'I'm the only lawyer in my family and I think law chose me. I wanted to be a writer but then everyone, my dad, my teachers and friends told me I would make a good lawyer. I had this knack for justice, fairness and activism as a child and a teenager. I was also a budding writer and took great interest in politics. So, I was convinced that I could be a lawyer and still be a writer. So, I took the plunge and, boy, it's been so good. But writing is and still remains my first love, love of my life.Your first solo court appearance, what was that like'It was the day I appeared before the Hon. Justice Oluwayemi of the High Court of Lagos State. It was a divorce proceeding and I fidgeted all through. In fact, I recall not addressing the court properly and being corrected sternly by my Lady.The first case you won or lost, how did that feel'The first case I lost was a matter I had prepared the final address barely one year after my call to the bar. A senior had conducted the trial and we had argued with all authorities that the claimant had failed to prove negligence and so was not entitled to claim damages. The judge did not agree with us and ruled that our client's action was unfair. She then held them liable on the grounds of unfair conduct and not even negligence which was the claim of the claimants. It was very disappointing for me because I put in my all in preparing the final written address. Our defence was also superb and my seniors had done a great job at the trial of the case, so we expected to win. However, an appeal was lodged against the judgment and I believe the Court of Appeal will reverse the judgment.My first victory came in a case in which I was part of the team that successfully defended a claim for title to over 72 hectares of land around Lekki in the High Court of Lagos State. The case was quite challenging as there were numerous case files bursting to the seams with documents. The trial was also challenging as it took nearly a year to conclude. My senior colleague at Chief Rotimi Williams' Chambers who is also my mentor, Mr. Olagbade Benson, led the defence team and he really brought out the lion in us all. I'm glad it paid off in the end as we won. The case remains very memorable because I was having severe emotional issues and was surviving on anti-depressants then, but Mr. Benson still believed in me and encouraged me not to quit the team.Young lawyers often complain of poor treatment from their principals, what was your experience'Well, I started practice in Chief Rotimi Williams' Chambers which was a very big law firm and so the welfare and work conditions for lawyers was even a standard for other law firms to emulate. Before then, I interned in firms even as a student and I was lucky to meet good and selfless principals as well as colleagues who I am forever indebted to for their contributions to my career.However, I know a lot of junior lawyers have had and are still having a raw deal in the hands of their principals.
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