VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

OSINBAJO, CJN, USORO, AKPATA, OTHERS FOR LEGAL TECH CONFAB

FEATURED

Virtual LegalTech Conference unveils New Ecosystem for Client/Lawyer Engagement and Administration of Justice in Nigeria Post COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage economies all around the world, there has been an increased pivot in the use and adoption of technology across several industries, where hitherto technology was a mere tool and not a driver of day to day operations. The world as we knew it has changed forever and it is imperative that this paradigm shift is accentuated by current realities of how individuals, organizations, institutions and governments work and interact.

The realization that the operation of businesses and delivery of services cannot go back to pre COVID-19 ways of providing goods and services has motivated putting together the first Legal Technologies Virtual Conference, by Nigeria’s foremost LegalTech company, LawPavilion Business Solutions Limited, in conjunction with Telnet Group, Nigeria’s leading digital transformation company, to be held on August 13-14, 2020.

The conference which will be available to participants from all around the world through Zoom video conferencing app features a line-up of erudite judges and legal practitioners in both public and private sectors. The Keynote Address will be delivered by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Other dignitaries expected at the virtual conference include His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed CFR, Chief Justice of the Federation of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council; the Honorable Senate President, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan; Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and other captains of industry and legal luminaries.

Briefing the press in Lagos, the Managing Director of LawPavilion Business Solutions, Mr. Ope Olugasa remarked that for almost 2 decades, LawPavilion has been at the forefront of providing and improving access to digital tools for the legal services industry. It has become imperative to leverage technology to accelerate access to justice for Nigerians and organizations interested in doing business in Nigeria.

Speaking further, Olugasa stated that while the general public tends to think of the judiciary as the least visible or important arm of government, the role of the judiciary comprising of judges, lawyers, arbitrators, mediators and legal institutions in economic growth and development is so critical, that where the justice system is fraught with inefficiencies and inadequacies, economic growth is stunted. He pointed out that for example, in today’s global market, true wealth is no longer in only expansive real estate or tangible cash, but in holding intangible intellectual property. Thus, economies that do not accord enough recognition and protection of law to intellectual property stand a genuine risk of not being at par with other economies.

The conference, which will span over 2 days comprise of a keynote lecture and panel discussions on the role of an efficient justice system in driving the wheel of innovation and economic growth, with panelists such as Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (JSC), Hon. Justice Amina Augie (JSC), Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN, Mr. Wale Fapohunda, AG Ekiti State, Mr. Folorunsho Aliu, Group MD of Telnet Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Gbenga Sesan, CEO Paradigm Initiatives. There will also be breakout sessions focusing on seamless court integration as well as tools and resources to run an efficient law firm post COVID-19 using technology.

Some of the discussants at the breakout sessions will include Hon. Justice Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of Borno State and Chairman of National Judicial ICT Committee; Hon. Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu, the Chief Judge of Ondo State; Dr. Ayodele Akenroye, Judge of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada; Mr. Dapo Akinosun of SimmonsCooper Partners; Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Head of Legal, Union Bank of Nigeria; Mr. Raymond Mgbokwere, Head of Legal, First Bank of Nigeria and Mr. Seun Abimbola, Former AG of Oyo State and Chairman of NBA Section on Legal Practice.

Commenting further, Olugasa pointed out that there has been a significant revolution of the banking industry through the introduction and adoption of FinTech in Nigeria, which has exponentially raised the profile of Nigeria’s banking industry. There has been significant collaboration between banking institutions, stakeholders and government agencies to consolidate and rapidly enhance banking operations, irrespective of location or time.

Accordingly, the legal services industry is also ripe and well primed for such technological transformation and the virtual Legal Technologies Conference being hosted by LawPavilion, in conjunction with Telnet Group, will showcase the unveiling of an enterprise solution for the judiciary,  LawRights App (for the general citizenry), Lagos State Laws in E-book version integrated into LawPavilion’s award-winning legal research software, all of which constitute parts of a new ecosystem, seeking to institutionalize legal-technology in Nigeria’s justice sector.

AJIBADE SPEAKS ON VIRTUAL CLE, AS ‘CLASS OF ’89’ HOLD WEBINAR

Leading Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential aspirant, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN will be on a familiar turf today as he speaks to his classmates and other stakeholders on the prospects of online mandatory continuing legal education (CLE).

Listed as one of the discussants for the virtual conference slated for 2 pm, Ajibade has gained renown as a cerebral lawyer and leading facilitator of continuing legal education in the legal industry.

Organised by the Nigerian Law School Class of 1989, an accredited NBA CLE Service Provider, the theme of the virtual conference is “Online Continuing Legal Education (e-CLE) in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: Challenges, Benefits and Prospects.” Prospective participants are required to register for the free virtual conference at https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upMlc-yspzosH9yXkq67siifyduRZ0HcPaLD After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Other discussants are Mr. Emeka Albert, Chairman of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1989 and acclaimed Toronto, Canada based attorney and Managing Partner of Topmarke Attorney LLP, Oluwakemi Oduwole. She was formerly a Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School.

Moderated by Chief Osuala E. Nwagbara, General Secretary of the Class of 1989 and Managing Partner at Maritime and Commercial Law Partners, the conference is, according to a statement by Albert “the first in a series of webinars aimed at opening up vital conversations among lawyers on mentoring, CLE and support to the Nigerian Law School. Dr. Ajibade, being a strong supporter of the cause of our Class, is expected to provide uncommon insights on the subject consistent with his experience and track record.”

Ajibade is the Managing Partner of S. P. A. Ajibade & Co. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1989 and elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in December 2007. He was the first member of his Nigerian Law School set of 1989 to take silk.

Ajibade obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1988. He obtained a Master of Laws degree in Corporate and Commercial Law from King’s College, University of London in 1990 and a Doctorate Degree in Private International Law from the same university in 1996.

Ajibade is a Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London, an International Practice Fellow of the International Bar Association (IBA) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom. He combines the role of an advocate, a corporate/commercial solicitor, an administrator and a reformer and is reputed to have excelled in each of these areas.

With over 20 years legal prowess specializing in immigration law, family law, mental health law and legal education, Oduwole has been a partner in Topmarke Attorney LLP since the inception of the firm in 2016. She is reputed for her leadership, teaching and mentorship skills (especially of young lawyers) and ability to navigate difficult and sensitive legal matters.

Oduwole holds a degree in Law and two master’s degrees in law. She is working on her third master’s degree. She also holds a certificate in Higher Education and has been called to the bars of Nigeria and Ontario, Canada. Oduwole practised law extensively in the areas of corporate/commercial law, civil litigation and family law in notable Nigerian law firms. Aside from her practice of law, she taught law in the Nigerian Law School, particularly in the areas of Civil Litigation, Legal Drafting, Professional Ethics and Responsibility, and Real Estate Law. Oduwole is a published author who has published law texts and several journal articles, and has presented research papers in conferences in Asia, Africa and North America.

On his part, Albert is a renowned justice sector reform consultant and Lead at LEGALPEDIA, a foremost software company. He has presented several papers on technology and disruption in the legal industry. Speaking on the impact of technology in law practice, he said: “Law is very dynamic. That is the essence of technology. It enables you to keep pace with developments. Technology helps you to adapt to new changes.”

The Nigerian Law School Class of 1989 donated an e-platform to its alma mater as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations. The facility is aimed to support quality training and retraining of Law School students and especially young lawyers. The e-platform is reputed as a first in Africa aimed at transforming legal education and legal practice.

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