Beauty, the Old Lady and The Musing of an African Lawyer… My ILFA Experience

The moment the email from ILFA dropped on my phone, I broke out into a cold sweat. I have always desired an opportunity for international work experience and was not ready to be given the elbow at final round. After several minutes of nerviness, I mustered courage and opened the email. And then came the “Oh My God” moment -  I was expecting my first baby in a few weeks, and then ILFA came through. You could imagine the immensity of the ensuing ecstasy. To have been chosen to be part of 19 lawyers from Africa was a hugely important achievement from my perspective.

Leaving my wife and 2 weeks old daughter back in Houston, in September, was at first a struggle but as I boarded the flight to London, I put my worries behind me and silently prayed that my family would be fine while I make the best out of the beckoning challenge. Though London is not new to me, as I had my Masters program at UCL, but this trip seems different – a journey of new discoveries! After the usual security checks and as I stepped out of the airport, I saw a well-dressed man politely calling my name. He took my bags and gave me a royal ride to my accommodation. I was happy and quietly wished the grandiose treatment continues throughout my 3 months stay. Minutes later, I was shown my cozy flat, settled down and made preparations to meet other secondees.

How I survived the first 3 weeks still beats my imagination, these were weeks of intense training at the City Law Firms with all secondees displaying their legal wizardry. “Whoever was behind the selection of these people must be a genius” – I marvelled! Not only did we come from 15 African countries, each person was a star in his own right. The quality of our exposure trumped individual’s cultural background. So we had the brainteasers, learnt how to effectively pitch our proposals, had mock negotiation sessions, exciting arbitration seminars, long hours of oil and gas lectures, stimulating discussion on project finance and trips to Oxford and Cambridge. Like a pack of bees we moved from one law firm to another and had enough hot coffees and cold sandwiches. We had networking sessions, met new people everyday, exchanged contacts, and exhausted our business cards. My professional profile on LinkedIn improved in a heartbeat and contact requests kept coming like a mighty rushing wind. I also cannot forget the strange faces at Harlesden, which gave me the heebie-jeebies at nights. All these inter alia added up to my first 3 weeks experience. But for me, the experience had not started. I had come to London to meet Beauty and see the old Lady!

On the set date I was scheduled to meet Beauty, I wore my best suit, polished my shoes to look elegant for the meeting. I got to the magnificent edifice and my heart skipped a beat “Welcome to Bakers Mr. Okubote” the Receptionist called out with a British accent. I was given a tour of Beauty (now you know – Baker & McKenzie LLP) and was completely dazed at the friendliness of its people, all pleased to meet the Lawyer from Africa. I held my head high and spoke to them about the new Africa, a place of opportunities and destination for investments.  I was shown my lavishly furnished office, settled down and was satisfied. Now that I have met the Beauty, where is the old Lady?

Having worked with one of the best law firms in Africa (Olaniwun Ajayi LP) and related with counsel from international firms on transactions, I had wanted to know more, to have a first hand experience of the legal practice in England, an exciting opportunity ILFA has provided. Drawing knowledge from the quote of Lord Pollock, I wanted practical experience of the old wise Lady – I want to see how law is practiced in England.

During my 12 weeks stay with Beauty, I worked on different cases and transactions. I admire the quality of client services, standard and compliance, high appetite for networking and standing outside the curve. I was given opportunity to express myself and bring in my African dimensions. My advice was considered valuable and they never took the wind out of my sails. All these are the fond memories I take with me and the skills I’ve gained, I will relish for life. At last, Beauty took me to see the old Lady and I am leaving with so much excitement.

On the final days of my secondment program, I joined the barristers in chambers and was placed with 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square. There I had a new life, smaller office, plenty files, albeit neatly arranged in shelves. I went for court proceedings with the Silk. As a litigator, it was so easy for us to connect and the criminal trial at the Crown Court was the highpoint of my placement with the Gray’s Inn Square.

I return home in few hours, having enjoyed London, met Beauty and saw the old Lady – special thanks to ILFA to which I am indebted for life. Now its time to switch back to fatherhood with the pictures of my strong supportive wife and my baby coming back like a flash. I have had the best of ILFA and hope to one day leave an impression on others; similar to the impression this ILFA experience has left on me. As I now become an ambassador of ILFA in Nigeria, I have the confidence that “this is not goodbye!”

Abayomi Okubote

Nigeria, ILFA Secondee 2015