REPORT ON THE WEBINAR HELD BY EQUITY PRIVATE CHAMBER, AAUA

REPORT ON THE WEBINAR HELD BY EQUITY  PRIVATE CHAMBER, AAUA

13th August, 2021

By Lord Sulaimon Amina

Equity Private Chamber organised a webinar on a cogent skill of legal practise, learning the professional art of client interview on the 13th of August, 2021. The webinar was held in a closed whatsApp group for one hour, thirty minute (8pm to 9:30pm), where the members of the prestigious chamber were given the privilege of receiving a lecture from our guest as well as ask questions on whatever thing they wished to know on the subject. The chief guest, Mr Olumide Ogidan Esq. is a renowned lawyer, the Principal Associate of A. Ogidan&Co Chambers in Ondo State, and the current legal adviser of the NBA, Akure. Our chief guest is also an Alunmus of our great University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. 

The webinar was moderated by the Lord Chancellor of Equity Private Chamber, Lord O.O Olatunde, beginning  with an introduction of our chief guest via his profile. Our guest was welcomed with applaud from other Lords present who were so excited to meet him. Our guest also eased the atmosphere by throwing jokes and exchanging pleasantries with members of the Equity whom he most times referred to as "my brother". Thereafter, the floor was thrown open to our chief guest to educate the lords on what the “art of client interview” is about. To aid easy and quick understanding of the subject matter, as well as further reference after the webinar, Mr Olumide Ogidan Esq. released his write-up on client-interview to the House of lords. The write-up contained the details about client interview, the stages and purpose. It also educated the members of the house of lords on how to counsel one’s client professionally, the steps to carry out in putting the client’s mind at ease and at the same time earning the client’s trust. The lords were further enlightened on what to do when they suspected that the client was not letting out the whole truth or his statements are not coherent. 

The lords were given enough time to read through and digest the contents of the write-up. Thereafter, they were allowed to ask our chief guest questions on aspects that were not clear to them on the subject matter. Our Guest, Olumide Ogidan Esq. did his best to answer the questions meticulously to the full understanding of most members. In all he was also constantly relating his answers to his experiences as a legal practitioner who has practiced for more than 8 years, feeding our young lords with practical knowledge on the subject matter..

The webinar ended with the chief guest giving a piece of advice to the lords to ensure they working on their line of interest in the legal profession right from their days as student of law without waiting for the time they graduate. An excerpt from his advice goes thus:

"I once asked a friend of mine at the Law school, what do you wish to do afterwards?", she replied, "I really don't know". 

"As aspiring members of the Bar, I want to chip in this advice. From now on, try to know what you want to do with the legal profession. 

If you want to involve in litigation practices, start to plan it from now on!

If you want to go into corporate practices, start working on it from now on!

If you want to be a Government employee, start making your contacts now. 

Whatever you want to do, start early enough. 

The profession is good, noble, profitable and honourable. It is good to chart your course early.

It is not good to wait till you are called before you start to make your decisions."