I have been fortunate to enjoy a rich and fulfilling career. However, following my recent move from Lagos, Nigeria to Manchester, England I have become more aware of the limitations and differences inherent in practising law across jurisdictions.
The law always applies to a geographical location, and as you move from one jurisdiction to another, the laws and practice of the law changes. Considering I have worked in law firms, as in-house counsel and as a freelance solicitor, my career transitions have been both exhilarating and challenging and being at Glaisyers these past 5 months has given me the opportunity to reflect on the skills I found reliable on this transition journey.
- Understanding Industry Basics: In corporate law, it is easy to become overwhelmed by information and focus solely on your specific role without grasping how all elements integrate to achieve the best outcomes for clients, but I have found that thoroughly understanding the foundational principles helps build you into a valuable member of any team. It certainly takes a bit more effort to understand basics like transaction lifecycle and structuring, key terminologies, and relevant clauses in M&A documentation, but it serves as an invaluable foundation upon which more complex knowledge can be built, regardless of jurisdiction. I have been able to learn a lot of these in practice, but I have also benefited from available resources online and investing in relevant legal literature.
- Networking: This isn’t about keeping a rolodex of lawyers and potential clients. I have found that we probably underutilise our current connections and we’re off trying to add new contacts to our ever-growing list of under-engaged connections. Networking isn’t simply about knowing people but about engaging deeply with existing connections to understand who they know, what they are skilled at, how these relationships can be mutually beneficial, and to keep nurturing those relationships for the near or distant future. As we move from one school to another, from one job to the next, we must devise means of carrying our connections with us. I have made a personal decision not to burn bridges in business and I believe it has been great so far. If I don’t know a guy, I will certainly know a guy who knows a guy.It’s not about amassing the most business cards but about forming meaningful connections that align with both short- and long-term goals.
- Commercial Awareness: Being commercially savvy means recognizing that the service you provide does not exist in vacuum. The clients you work for or seek to work for have businesses that are impacted by real life economics, and you need to know a little bit about that. You need to understand the industries you service, know a little bit of what’s happening in the news and just not pretend to live under a rock. Making my career transition, one of the more challenging aspects was keeping up with the business landscape in two geographically distant countries and retaining sufficient knowledge to service my existing clients in Nigeria while engaging with organisations in the UK.
- International Experience: Although I spent most of my career in Lagos, Nigeria, I frequently dealt with cross-border transactions, navigating the complexities of different legal systems and regulatory environments across Africa, the Middle East and the United States of America. This exposure helped me understand and manage the intricacies of international business operations and cultural sensitivity required to seamlessly integrate into the UK’s highly diverse legal industry.
- Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is an invaluable skill for every lawyer. I have found that my ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and straightforward manner has helped in liaising with clients and stakeholders with varying levels of understanding legal jargon and complexity.
Change can be challenging, and transitioning careers is both exciting and daunting. However, the excitement and apprehension are secondary to the resilience needed to navigate and embrace the change. My resilience is probably the unsung hero of my transition process. I am confident in my ability to deliver exceptional legal services and support the diverse team at Glaisyers.
I am especially grateful for the opportunity to work with such an incredibly talented and supportive group of colleagues. I used to joke that a team of non-scheming, genuinely collaborative lawyers was the eighth wonder of the world, but the positivity and camaraderie here have been truly remarkable. This environment inspires me to reach new heights in my professional journey.
I am now settling into the buzzing city of Manchester, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead. I look forward to contributing my expertise to the Manchester legal community and continued growth personally and professionally. A big thank you to everyone who has supported me through this transition. Here’s to new beginnings and an exciting future.
