The law firm, Liberty Semper Fidelis, LP, based in Lagos and Abuja, with correspondent offices in Accra, London and Atlanta, USA organised a three-day workshop and retreat for its Lawyer and other members of staff, in a bold move aimed at preparing them for pioneering the emerging field of TechLaw in legal practice.
The workshop was by the Centre for Legal Studies, the training arm of the law firm and had as its theme: ‘Transforming the Future of Law Practice’. It held at the Arcade Sinclair Suites in the Central Business District, Abuja and had resource persons from leading law firms, universities and legal institutions across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The Principal Partner, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi told newsmen that, the focus is on how the legal practice in Nigeria can adopt advanced use of technology in the delivery of justice in a similar manner as the financial services sector has used FinTech as a cutting edge application for improved service delivery.
“The workshop is to make us understand the Nigerian technology law landscape, and appreciate the import of innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) in law and justice. Thus, we will learn more about digital law, technology applications in law, and using new technology to improve our services to our clients, and also help the justice sector of the economy to grow and comply with global best practices.
“We hope to use the workshop to set the standard for our slogan: ‘Faithful to the Brief’, by ensuring that all Partners and Associates know that we aim to ensure that technology becomes the driver for change and positive transformation in the practice of law”, Afikuyomi stated.
Among the resource persons who led discussions during the workshop are Dr. Gbenga Oduntan, an Associate Professor of International Commercial Law who also serves as Director of Studies and Chair of, the Research Ethics Advisory Group (REAG), Kent Law School, Elliot College, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK; Mr Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, former Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Managing Partner, Legal Resources Consortium and Mr Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, Principal Partner, AK and Co., and former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Others include Dr Titi Hameed, Director (Academics), Nigeria Law School; Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, Professor of Communications at the Baze University, Abuja; Dr Emmanuel Olowononi, a Senior Lecturer at the Nigeria Law School, Abuja; Mr Suraju Olanrewaju, Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre and Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), a coalition of anti-corruption organisations; Jude Igbanoi, Deputy Law Editor and Group Head, Legal and Compliance Services, THISDAY Newspaper.
Prof Oduntan spoke on “Practice Research and Guidance on Cybersecurity and the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Domestic/International Litigation and Arbitration” as well as “Current Legal Issues and Aspects in Air and Space Law”. Igbanoi’s paper was on “Utilising Press Presence and Social Media Positioning Successfully in Legal Practice”. Kazeem addressed the workshop on “Managing a Modern Law Firm”, while Hameed made a presentation on the issue of “Ethics and Professional Responsibilities Required in Legal Practice”.
Suraju’s topic was on “Perspectives Strategies on Current Legal Practice in the Area of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Law”, while Adeniyi spoke on the issues of “Marketing and Communication Strategy for a Law Firm in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” as well as “Outdoor Team Building and Exercises Focusing on Effective Communication, Problem Solving and Collaboration”. Also, Olowononi handled the issue of “Interfacing with Regulatory Agencies for Effective Corporate and Property Law Practice in Nigeria”.
According to Afikuyomi, the nation’s justice sector will gain from the workshop, as the firm intends to send the various papers and submissions to relevant committees and sessions of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the leadership of the Judiciary.
The event held from Wednesday, February 7 – 9.
