RENUMERATION OF JUNIOR LAWYERS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN NIGERIA

Sadiya Nasir Esq.

There is no doubt that the renumeration of young lawyers in the legal profession in Nigeria is poor. What junior lawyers get as remuneration while working under senior lawyers is not enough to cater for and sustain them, apart from the everyday need of a junior lawyer, every lawyer is expected to pay the annual practicing fee, pay for a seal and local branch dues, there is the NBA Annual Conference too one must pay in other to attend.

There are few lawyers/ firms which pay a respectable amount, most senior lawyers fondly speak of how even they weren’t paid anything respectable when they started and thus emotionally speaking to the young fresh lawyers that the baton of this custom is being passed on to them. A senior lawyer once said to me that “junior lawyers should be grateful for anything they are paid for the ‘first few years’, after all it is only during these first few years that they get to learn the basics of the practice of law in the courts which they were not thought in school.

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria also said “As a junior lawyer, focus on making the name first before seeking for money because when you make the name, the money would come”
It is worthy to note that the legal profession in Nigeria is becoming saturated, some law firms can comfortably afford only one junior lawyer but they end up employing more and as such, junior lawyers cannot be paid well.
Also there is the issue of lack of regulation regarding the remuneration of junior lawyers. By way of solution, if only the Nigerian Bar Association can come in to regulate a salary scheme to meet a certain minimum wage standard, it can go a long way in bringing succor to the remuneration plight of junior lawyers just as it is obtainable in the medical profession. It was the Nigerian Medical Association that fought for the junior doctors, they are been paid stipends by their various state governments right from the university after which they will be absorbed to work for the state for a certain period of time and then choose their most preferred paths afterwards. Why can’t we have same in the legal profession? This lack of adequate remuneration is not only affecting the junior lawyers alone but also affecting the legal profession in the sense that the profession is no longer becoming attractive.
Senior lawyers should be more concerned about the welfare of junior lawyers. I feel every senior lawyer should make sure that the junior lawyers in their chambers have paid for their annual practicing fee, branch dues and seal. The relationship should not just strictly be on work, welfare of junior lawyers should also be considered, adequate remuneration or lack of it should be discussed. Even the way the junior lawyers dress and package themselves should be a thing of concern to the senior lawyers.

For junior lawyers to succeed, they must possess patience to be able to endure the hardship of the profession and not let frustration which is temporary to take advantage of their ability to become better equipped lawyers.
Junior lawyers are expected to improve their skills by practicing under a senior lawyer where they can learn the tricks of the profession because the legal profession is vast and complex that one would need guidance from a learned senior. Practicing under a senior will also boost the reputation of such junior lawyers.

This writing is not meant to discourage junior lawyers but rather encourage them. The remuneration thing is not permanent, it shall come to pass and if one is passionate about practicing law, there are few professions which are fulfilling and as challenging.

Also for those who care, make sure that the next generation doesn’t have to go through the same obstacle because you did, start by paying a respectable amount.