‘Aspiring Lawyers Must Create a Strategy to Investigate Many Different Paths’ – Mr
- The ADR Society, UNILAG.
- Oct 8, 2016
- 5 min read
Mr. Olurotimi Aju MCIArb is at Partner at reputable law firm, Consolex Legal Practitioners. The firm has in the past years offered their unrelenting support to our society in as many ways as is possible. The Society’s media team stumbled upon Mr. Aju’s interview published in THISDAY Newspaper on the 26th of January 2016, and after obtaining his permission, decided to make it available on our blog.Enjoy!
My name is Olurotimi Aju. I am a graduate of the Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. I was called to the Bar in July, 2003, after successfully completing the Bar Final Exams with a Second Class (Upper Division). In November, 2003, I joined the Firm of Ukpong & Omotoso – one of three legacy Firms that, along with A. Akpomudje (SAN) & Co., and O. Omo –Eboh & Co., gave rise to Consolex Legal Practitioners – as a youth corps member.
With the formal inauguration of Consolex in September, 2006, I was retained as an Associate, elevated to a Senior Associate in June, 2008, and admitted into Partnership in September, 2011. I am a Notary Public and a member of professional associations including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigeria Branch, the International Bar Association (IBA) and the NBA Section on Business Law I am a classical music enthusiast and serve as an honorary organist at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos. My other interests are in sports, especially football and swimming.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and, if so, what were the main challenges? One of several challenging situations which I encountered early in my career was being tasked by my supervising litigation Partner, Ayodeji Omotoso, Esq., within a few months into my NYSC programme at the then Ukpong & Omotoso; to review a Judgment of the High Court of Lagos State in a matter which had gone through plenary trial that lasted over ten years, and to prepare a Notice of Appeal against same. I was also required to file respective applications to set aside the said Judgment, and for a stay of execution; compile records, and produce a draft of the Appellant’s Brief for Mr. Omotoso’s approval all within a short time frame. Significantly, this was a matter in which the Firm had only been briefed at the Appeal stage so I did not have the benefit of participating at the Trial Court. The High Court of Lagos Civil Procedure Rules 2003 had also just come into effect at that time, meaning there was a considerable volume of processes to be prepared. My young practitioner’s mind could not comprehend how to organise the tasks, let alone set about handling them. However, with guidance from my seniors in the litigation group, and some long hours in the office, I was able to deliver on all the tasks within time. Handling those instructions, as challenging as they seemed at that time, has provided the platform for several appellate Court work in which I have since been involved.
What was your worst day as a Lawyer? Waking up on 1st October, 2011, to news of the demise of Ms. Olohirhere Omo-Eboh, the first Managing Partner of Consolex.
What was your most memorable experience? My admission into partnership at Consolex in September, 2011.
Who has been most influential in your life? I recall been asked to identify a role model early in my junior secondary school years. Without breaking sweat, I determined that role model to be my father – Professor Akindele Aju. More than twenty-five years down the line, my response to your present question remains as it was in junior secondary school. The influence of my father in building and shaping my outlook in life has been immense. One of only very few Africans to specialise in the area of Technology Policy, he enjoyed a most distinguished career in the Federal Civil Service, resigning as a Deputy Director, to champion a project which resulted in the approval and licencing of one of the first private Universities in Nigeria. In professional life, my most significant influences have come from some of the founding Partners of Consolex – Edo Ukpong, Dr. Omogbai Omo-Eboh, and Ayodeji Omotoso.
Why did you become a lawyer? Growing up in 1004 Estate meant that I was always within close proximity and walking distance of the only campus of the Nigerian Law School at that time. Our home was also always open to students of the Law School in need of accommodation, some of whom we did not know before their taking up residence with us but who were simply referred to or handed over by graduating students. I became familiar with the phrase ‘fit and proper person’ from my early interaction with these aspirants to the Bar and had the opportunity to attend a few call to Bar ceremonies. I had determined from then on that I would one day be called to the Bar. On the home front, my cousin, Olumide Aju, who is a partner with F.O Akinrele & Co., provided the inspiration (I used his very well written Law School notes which he had made some ten years before I gained admission into the Law School and in fact passed them onto my younger sister who is also a Lawyer). Also, although I never met him, I am told that my paternal grand-father was a Customary Court President.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law? I will narrow down my response to this question, to developing a career in law practice as the scope of a career in law is extremely wide. Law practice in today’s world is a broad and expansive profession with nearly unlimited areas to venture into. Choosing to build a career in law practice can be a big decision, one that may involve some soul searching and talking to established practitioners to find out what they do certainly helps. After deciding to practise, finding one’s best fit within the law and acquiring the skills and professionalism to achieve career goals are even more vital processes. The practice of law is constantly evolving, and individual interests and skills must also evolve. It is clearly not enough today to get through the five years of University with a degree and one year of law school. Aspiring lawyers must create a strategy to investigate many different paths while simultaneously reflecting on how their interests, skills, and motivators are compatible with their aspirations. All things considered, Law practice is ultimately rewarding in all respects.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen? I would have opted for a career in the Navy. I recall with fond memories my years at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State; where my exposure to basic military drills and instructions, and a general sense of order, discipline and camaraderie were formed. The huge sense of patriotism and duty to be derived from the knowledge that, by serving in the Navy, one would be directing demonstrating love for his country were more compelling reasons.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? At the pinnacle of my career, with Consolex globally acknowledged as a top 100 Law Firm.
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