A Presentation to Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (“MULAN”) 20th May 2017

1. Law Firm Partnership: Models, Fears/Challenges and
Solutions
U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
A Presentation to Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria
(“MULAN”) 20th May 2017
Ovie Ukiri
Partner

2. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Content
• Overview
• Brief History of Partnerships in Nigeria
• What is a Partnership
• Why a Law Partnership
• Models
• Fear/Challenges
• Solutions
• Conclusion

3. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Overview
• Historically, law firms in Nigeria are modelled along the style of the
traditional English Barrister’s law chambers – Not surprising given that the
law and practice in Nigeria were inherited from England.
• The vast majority of law firms in Nigeria are still structured as sole
proprietors working alone, with juniors and/or pupils in chambers in the
style of the traditional English barrister
• In recent times, Lagos and a few other cities in Nigeria have begun to show a
slight movement from the traditional structure of law firms, into law
partnerships.

4. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
• Irving & Bonnar 1917 – First law firm in Nigeria
• Thomas, Williams and Kayode – 1948 (Bode Thomas, Rotimi Williams
and Remi Fani-Kayode)
• Michael, Chris and Samuel – 1950 (Michael Odesanya, Chris Ogunbanjo
and Samuel Akintola)
• Mbanefo & Mbanefo – 1974 (Patrick Mbanefo and Louis Mbanefo)
Brief History of Law Partnerships in Nigeria

5. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Partnership
What is a Partnership?
“A voluntary association of two or more persons who jointly own or
carry on a business for profit” – Black’s Law Dictionary
“A relationship which subsists between persons carrying on
business in common with a view to profit” – Partnership Law of
Lagos State.

6. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
The measure of a successful law partnership would
therefore appear to be profit? i.e money? Not
necessarily true.
 Professional fulfillment
 Social Impact
√ Human rights
√ Law Reporting (Gani Fawehinmi)
 Appointment into public office (Bench; AG etc)
 Academia
A Law Firm or Law
Partnership, to be a
successful business, must
apply the usual business
principles applicable to any
other commercial
undertaking in order to
maximize profits.
Partnership

7. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Two concepts in economics which are applicable in Law partnerships and form one of the
pillars of a successful Law partnership:
Why a Law Partnership
Division of Labour
The ability to raise funds may be increased.
Capacity may be greater.
Attract good lawyers to the business if given
the incentive to become a Partner.
Benefit from the combination of
complimentary skills and a wider pool of
knowledge, skills and contacts.
Economies of Scale
Partnerships can be cost-effective as each
partner specializes in certain aspects of
their business.
Partnerships provide moral support and
will allow for more creative brainstorming

8. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Models
 Lockstep Model (most widely used)
 Modified Lockstep
 Eat what you kill
 Monarch Structure
It is entirely up to the partners to determine what works for them. No hard and fast rules

9. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Lacking a shared Vision
(Important to agree on and buy into the Vision)
Lacking the ability or nature to share
Ego/Greed/Insecurity - treat your partner’s
concerns as equal in importance to your own.
•Partnership demands creativity – Important in
order to accommodate every partners needs
Challenges

10. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Partnership requires compromise - Sharing “all”
profits vs investing in the business.
Partnership requires commitment and consistency – “I
will be here tomorrow, the day after and the day after
that”
Partnership requires flexibility – be prepared to change
the vision for the common good even if the change
makes one person a star.
•Partnership requires fairness – everyone must benefit.
A feeling of exploitation will eventually collapse the
partnership.
Challenges

11. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Solutions
 Sincerity, Honesty, Trust etc
 Helpful if you have things in common (friendship) but not essential. What is essential is
mutual regard and trustworthiness.
 Adhere strictly to the rules that all have set and agreed upon (succession planning;
retirement age etc)
 Ability to adapt to changes

12. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Conclusion
What is the
future of Law
Partnership in
Nigeria?
Foreign Involvement?
Alliances?
Response of Local/Indigenous Law
Firms to Foreign Involvement

13. U&L UKIRI & LIJADU
Thank you