Managing Partner Dolapo Kukoyi is joined by partners Chukwudi Ofili and Abiodun Oyeledun in this conversation with Africa Legal’s Tom Pearson.

Dolapo leads the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Power Practice and, according to Chambers & Partners global commentary 2019, is regarded as one of the West African nation’s expert voices on the power industry.

As a commercial lawyer, Oyeledun is the head of the Finance & Capital Markets Practice and the Real Estate & Construction Practice. His expertise adds strength to the commercial foundation that underpins DETAIL’S core focus.

Ofili is the “techie” of the trio – he leads the Technology and Digital Economy practice area as well as the Legal Tax Advisory practice area. Like his colleagues he has formidable international experience and understands exactly what clients need to operate effectively in the global community.

Tom opens the discussion with the new managing partner asking her about her role and what it is about DETAIL that sets the firm apart.

Dolapo explains that it is the firm’s values which are so closely aligned with her own which makes it a fulfilling and happy place to work. Most importantly, she explains, the culture of the work environment is key to the firm’s overall success.

“We have an institutionalised way (of reinforcing the firm’s culture) which starts from recruitment as there are certain types of people who work best in this culture. 

“Everyone at DETAIL is employed because we see them as a potential partner. This means that when you get in, you are ‘on-boarded’ on the culture,” she says. People are employed because they are a good fit for the whole team.

“It is not all perfect and different generations come in (with expectations) and you always have to tweak (the ways things are done),” she says.

In a comment aimed at young lawyers, Abiodun then comes in to explain how he has built his own expertise to become one of the rising stars of Nigerian law. 

“In my first year of law I did a lot of shuttling between the firm and the land registry which enabled me to learn the ropes and which taught me to be able to structure transactions with clients.”

To be innovative, the young lawyer has to constantly be searching for knowledge and reading is an intrinsic part of this, he says.

Chukwudi adds to this conversation saying that what makes him excited and energetic about the next generation of young lawyers is their drive and desire to take on a global approach to the practise of law.

“In my experience lots of lawyers are not only looking to the Nigerian (legal) jurisdiction (anymore) but looking at law as something global that transcends Nigeria. I took steps to get qualified as an attorney in New York - and beyond gaining knowledge it also helped me to establish connections and gave me a more holistic view. This helps with your development as a lawyer.”

To enjoy this delightful conversation with the DETAIL team visit SoundCloud or Apple Podcast

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