Young Business Lawyer: Women’s Month Edition

In celebration of Women’s Month this March, BusinessDay will characteristic four younger female lawyers who have distinguished themselves. Our first young woman lawyer of the month is Prada Uzodimma. In this job interview with Prada, she shares her enthusiasm, working experience and progress as a lawyer.

Comprehensive identify: Prada O. Uzodimma
Organisation: Basic principle Authorized Check with
Region of Apply: Maritime Legislation, Core Litigation, Civil/Company and Commercial Legislation
Yrs of Working experience: 5 A long time

Skilled Summary
Prada Uzodimma is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable legal practitioner who has garnished a prosperity of lawful knowledge and knowledge more than the many years. She has an LL.B from the University of Surrey and an LL.M in Maritime Legislation from the University of Southampton, both in the United Kingdom.

Prada is a humanitarian, who frequents various tv courses to educate the general public on their human and legal legal rights. She also represents men and women and organizations in contract and marine transactions. Possessing dealt with instances in different jurisdictions and with an array of legal awards, Prada Uzodimma has distinguished herself amongst her friends.
She was part of the group that gained the seriously contested and celebrated Imo State Gubernatorial Election Petition at the Supreme Court docket. She was portion of the team that recovered 2 Billion Naira Debt in favour of a big client. Prada is also passionate about empowering gals and youthful aspiring lawyers, therefore the launch of the Prada Uzodimma Law University Scholarship Grant (PUSG), initiated to relieve the issues for indigent aspiring young lawyers. She is also the Co-Founder of The Means Existence Initiative, a basis engineered to bridge the gap for persons with disabilities.

Study also: IWD: Gender equality beneficial to corporations that are inclusive — Naomi Nwokolo

4 Queries with Prada
What have been some of the most rewarding moments in your legal vocation so far?
The rewards for me are not even when I am prosperous in a situation following many years of intense litigation, suspense and combating in what we all know as a precarious justice method. My rewards occur back again in the form of smiles and a re-ignition of hope when my indigent pro bono purchasers lastly really feel that the system will work for them and not from them. My biggest reward arrived back again in the form of a limited hug from a kid, who was put again in the arms of his mom as the judgement was granted in our favour. There is no greater reward than knowing that the minimal boy was finally going house.

What problems have you faced as a younger female law firm, and how have you defeat them?
The truth is that below in Nigeria, there is pretty much a salient belief that “the older the wig, the a lot more ability they possess”. I’m not disputing this entirely for the reason that, for a truth, some classes come through knowledge. On the other hand we must also fully grasp that opportunities afford to pay for us the probability at gaining all those beneficial ordeals.
Personally, even in circumstances where by I am undermined due to the fact I haven’t had 30/40 several years of lawful knowledge, I allow my understanding do the talking. I never react with intense debates or heated arguments alternatively I answer with the worth that my expertise affords me. I answer with the intrinsic intuition that can make me Prada, the intuition that allows me to see what other individuals are unable to my rational and analytical mind.

What are some of the trends or changes you foresee in the legal market in the in close proximity to future?
Globalisation is at present affecting all fields, and the legal business is not exempt. The effect of the pandemic has proven us the have to have for technological enhancements in the lawful sector. From digital courts to digital ADR classes, e-submitting, documentation, digital hearings and more. I know this improvement is not without having worries in particular right here in Nigeria but it is anything to undoubtedly appear forward to and assume in our close to future.

How can we make certain that diversity and inclusion are created a main section of the Nigerian authorized market?
For starters, the 1st stage will be to not just discuss about it but to correctly realize the significance of owning a varied lawful process.

How far can we actually say we have gone to be inclusive when most of our courts are inaccessible to all those with mobility impairments? Apart from looking at accessibility concerns for lawyers, what about the common citizen with a disability that struggles with gaining entrance into courts? Or working with Court staff members/bailiffs who haven’t experienced good schooling on how to interact with People With Disabilities?
A good start off would be for organisations like the Nigerian Bar Association want to do far more to ensure an inclusive procedure for all via mass sensitizations, instruction of employees, available buildings, and an inclusive appointment process for judges and authorized officers.

What guidance do you have for other young girls who are considering a vocation in regulation?
For young women considering a vocation in legislation, I’ll say, Welcome! You are needed.
With new unexplored regions of our world wide financial system, organizations and many sectors in the world, novel issues are surfacing, and a effective 21st-century law firm would be the just one prepared with alternatives to these challenges.
As it is commonly stated: “Opportunity favours the prepared”, you have to do your finest to assure that new alternatives come across you ready. Do the function and exceed expectations. There is a compulsion that women of all ages have to demonstrate themselves above and over again as opposed to their male counterparts. But you really do not have to get sucked into this, stand in your essence and magic. You deliver value and that is sufficient. Choose the accountability of currently being the option provider and do not operate from the do the job or competitiveness.

Eventually, in honour of International Women’s Day, how do you believe females can keep on to break obstacles and thrive in the lawful industry?
Irrespective of each challenge, gals proceed to shatter glass ceilings. To carry on to do this, women should have an unwavering belief in on their own and their benefit. Investigate has shown that having girls on legal teams – or on any staff actually- in the long run outcomes in far better illustration for purchasers and a lot more profitability. Recognizing this is the to start with step. We must go on to clearly show each individual employer and shopper that we are valuable to the team. We ought to not be fearful to assert ourselves. Every time I am presented any opportunity for influence, I consider up the undertaking to get extra women into the place and make guaranteed they have seats since I feel this is a single of the methods we carry on to crack boundaries.