Various speakers at a Career Fair/Dinner organised by the Faculty of Law, Margaret Lawrence University Abuja, have advised law students and legal practitioners in the country to rise above ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), and embrace new career pathways in the legal profession.
Delivering a keynote speech titled: “GENZEEING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE LEGAL PROFESSION; Creating New Career Pathways in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Prof. Ibe Kachikwu admitted that the Gen-Z generation is the most technologically equipped cohort of lawyers in human history.
He noted that the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal profession “is not a crisis, but a disruption” that “favours the prepared”.
The Professor of Law reminded Law students that despite advantages in AI, it contains within it the seed of corresponding failure, stressing that, “Speed without depth is not efficiency. It is a liability dressed as productivity”.
“If your generation uses AI to generate legal arguments it has not examined, drafts contracts it has not read, and produces opinions it does not understand, you will not be better lawyers than my generation” Prof. Kachikwu cautioned.
He, therefore urged Law students and legal practitioners to take up specific career paths like Legal Technology; AI Compliance Lawyer; Legal Engineer; Legal Product Manager; AI Policy Advisor; and Legal Innovation Lead, in order to remain productive in the age of artificial intelligence.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Istifanus Gyang, commended the University, and it’s Law Faculty for coming up with the Career Fair with a thought provoking theme: “Gen-Z and the Legal Profession in the 21st Century.”
Gyang told the students that they were born into a world of rapid technological advancement, and therefore must adapt to emerging trends.
“Master Technology without losing the human touch. Learn to use AI as a powerful assistant, but never forget that the law is ultimately about people — their rights, their pains, their aspirations” Gyang advised.
He reminded the students that the legal profession does not only need more lawyers, but that it desperately needs better lawyers who are technologically savvy, ethically grounded, commercially aware, and deeply committed to justice.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Dinner section of the event held at the Fountain of Joy International Conference Centre, Margaret Lawrence University, Justice Chidiebere Uwa of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, counselled Law students to remain focused on their studies.
“Whether at the Bar, the Bench or Academia, public service and leadership roles etc, understand that the legal profession places high expectations upon those who belong to it.
“Your yes should be your yes. Do not swear affidavit or get people to swear affidavit that you know are false. It is not a do or die thing.You must uphold the integrity required of the profession, the jurist said.
The Supreme Court Justice stated that Law Dinners preserve the culture, ethics, and traditions of the legal profession, adding that they provide an avenue for mentorship, intellectual exchange and professional bonding between the students and practitioners.
“They also remind us that while the law profession is intellectually demanding, it is equally one built on courtesy, discipline, dignity, mutual respect, respect to the court, respect to your colleagues and amongst yourselves and to the client you represent whether in litigation, or in corporate practice. Even in paper work, you have to be polite.
Specifically, Justice Uwa warned the Law students that if anything, “Do not be
surprised that attendance of all Law school Dinners is a pre condition for admittance into the legal profession and it is taken very seriously.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Margaret Lawrence University, Dr Lisa Ejenavi, said the institution organized the Career Fair/Dinner to keep the Law students abreast of career opportunities, professional networks and practical insights in the legal profession, following the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr Ejenavi, noted that with artificial intelligence transforming research, documentation, compliance, and case management, the Career Fair/Dinner will help Law students understand how technology is reshaping legal practice and how to remain relevant.
She submitted that Gen-Z Law students need awareness on new opportunities such as legal technolgy, data privacy law, cyber law, financial technology regulation, AI governance, intellectual property, and digital compliance.
The Career Fair featured a panel discussion anchored by renowned lawyer and rights activists Frank Tietie; where Mr Ejembi Eko SAN, Mr Chris Adaapar Umar SAN, Deji Adeyanju, Dame Offonmbuk Akpabio and other legal experts shared insights on emerging opportunities in litigation, corporate law, alternative dispute resolution, public service, legal technology, and entrepreneurship.
The Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Margaret Lawrence University Delta State and Abuja, Dr. Paul Odili, members of the University’s Governing Council, Management Staff, invited dignitaries, and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria graced the occasion.
