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African Testimonials
Olasupo Shasore, SAN - Attorney General of Lagos, Nigeria
The strengthening of the Rule of Law in Africa is an integral component in the advancement of good governance on the continent. The cultivation of African lawyers is central to this objective, and ILFA plays an important role in achieving this. I attended 2009 fundraising dinner for the International Lawyers for Africa programme and gave the Keynote address. I had the benefit of meeting both the African lawyers and the participating firms. I was very impressed by the impact this initiative has made in a relatively short period of time and the nexus of legal talent it is drawing together across Africa.
Dr Mo Ibrahim, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Africa's future prosperity lies in the expansion of good governance and the fortification of the Rule of Law. Enhancing legal expertise and best practice not only assists economic growth, but helps to sustain it. Africa needs lawyers with the ability to engage in international dialogue and the confidence to create a framework for those interested in doing business in Africa.At the 2009 fundraising dinner for the International Lawyers for Africa programme I was impressed to see the commitments of the UK law firms in assisting with this process via the ILFA programme. ILFA is developing a network across the continent of lawyers with a useful combination of local knowledge, international exposure, global perspective and a shared vision.
Nutifafa Klutse-Woanyah Ghana ILFA candidate 2007
I cannot express my gratitude for this once in-a-lifetime opportunity. Potentially via ILFA the lives of a whole generation of African Lawyers will be professionally and socially enriched.
I would like to thank the participating firms for the wonderful and altruistic vision they have for Africa and its lawyers. ln three months I have learnt what it could have taken a lifetime to acquire. Thank you.
Febbie Chikungwa Malawi 2008 ILFA Candidate
The ILFA training is bearing good fruits!!!
Since returning from the ILFA programme I have been promoted to the position of Company Secretary, the first woman to hold an executive position in the Company. It is a big jump for me and a huge challenge. I recently attended my first Board meeting in Virginia, USA. As the only woman and the youngest person it was a humbling experience to be among the senior executives of my company and our parent company in the USA; although it was a good feeling.
On the way to the meeting, during the meeting and even after the meeting, all I could think of was ILFA. When I was scared to present my paper, I thought of the presentation seminar and knew that I would cope. When I was scared to attend the cocktail reception with all the senior executives I thought of the course on breaking through and I said to myself "yes I will". When I was amongst the American directors and wasn't sure of how to act or how to read their actions I thought of the Cultural Differences' seminar and was able to blend easily. When it was all over, I felt great. I am so motivated and eager to work even harder. My confidence, professionalism and presentation skills at the meeting could not have been better. Thanks to the ILFA training. All I could think of was my ILFA colleagues and the fun we had in London.
Such, is the impact of the ILFA training on me and my career.
Tosho Sulieman Nigeria ILFA Candidate 2008
Quite apart from the work experience at the Law Firm, the programme also featured seminars in different areas of public international law such as law of the World Trade Organisation, international law of the sea, international law of human rights, international investment law and international dispute settlement, as well as skills training in advocacy, mediation, project management, negotiation, financial analysis and international networking. All the seminars and skills training programmes were handled by renowned academics and experts from Cambridge, Oxford, London School of Economics and the Law Society. Another important aspect of my experience was the enormous amount of regional and international contacts I made and professional relationships I developed on the programme. This was made possible by the several events and dinners organized by ILFA prominent among which was the final Gala Dinner.
The opportunity to work in an international environment, to network and exchange ideas with people of high intellect and professionals of international repute and the resultant international outlook and exposure has enhanced my skills and further equipped me with the practice experience which I now deploy in my Firm in Nigeria, Paul Usoro & Co, in offering clients innovative legal solutions and sound legal direction that would enable them connect seamlessly with their long term objectives
Jennifer Mbluto Kenya ILFA candidate 2009
I recently had to step in and make a presentation on behalf of my boss at a workshop whose participants consisted of 40 senior government officials from 12 countries. Thanks to the training we had on presentation skills on the ILFA programme, I was able to adequately prepare and present on what (to me) was a challenging topic to an even more challenging audience! I later received very positive feedback from the organisers. I can honestly say that I would not have achieved this but for the skills acquired during the ILFA programme.
Rachel Musoke Uganda ILFA candidate 2008
Upon my return from the ILFA programme I was made up to a Partner at my firm, MMAKS.
I know the firms all take part in ILFA with the hope of helping to develop African lawyers. I wanted to show first hand how their participation does make a big difference.
Syndicated loans are not common in Uganda nevertheless I have been able to obtain instructions to act for the Mandated Lead Arranger for a syndicated loan. This has been possible thanks to the training and support of ILFA and the continued support from my host firm. Not only did I obtain instructions but I was able to do the job well and enjoy doing it, with the confidence that I had acquired from the best (a top UK firm as all the ILFA participating firms are!).
So I want to thank and encourage these firms to continue being there for us because we truly appreciate it and we are grateful for their effort. Moreover we are without doubt better lawyers because of them!
Nkusi Sulait Rwanda ILFA 2009
My experience with ILFA was an invaluable real firsthand experience. Coming from a very young National Bar created in 1997, and seconding at one of the best international law firms; Allen and Overy LLP. It was a great opportunity for ILFA candidates to get exposed and network with lawyers from different law firms most of who were of ethnic minorities. My country is undergoing many transitions and law reforms leaving the civil law system and introducing the common law system; with the training facilitated by ILFA I will contribute alot to the legal system in Rwanda and the great lakes region of Africa.
During my secondment, I realised the importance of Africa's need for foreign investments, and the relationship with different jurisdictions the best way to engage local counsel strengthen personal connection and engage in knowledge transfer on relevant legal topics of common concern, interaction and specialisation skills. Despite the traumas she has been through, Africa can. I felt respected by ILFA organisers and loved by the law firms that hosted us. I shadowed experienced Judges at the royal courts of justice in the strand.
I am at the Institute of legal practice and development (ILPD Law School) writing a thesis entitled "Role of Corporate Local Counsel in facilitating investments in Rwanda as a developing economy" a reflection from ILFA Training. The brain child of ILFA's has created the best way of enabling Europe's law firms in combining their worldwide expertise and knowledge with many different jurisdictions of this vast continent with a huge potential for business and the rule of law. My dream is to see big law firms in Africa with skills in specialisation and a continued collaborating with local counsel of Africa.
Busingye Kabumba Uganda ILFA candidate 2008
I was one of two Ugandans chosen to take part in the second intake, which incidentally was the first time Uganda was included among the participating countries. It is structured as a three months programme and all the costs of successful participants are fully catered for by ILFA and participating UK firms.
During my time in London, I was attached with a magic circle firm, Clifford Chance LLP which is recognized as the world's largest law firm in terms of size and revenue. I worked in the Project Finance and Capital Markets Sections of the firm. The work was extremely challenging and stimulating and brought me up to speed with best practice in the legal arena. Given the relatively smaller sizes of Ugandan law firms, it was an interesting experience working with a firm boasting of more than 3,000 lawyers and with associate offices all over the world. At the same time, with the inevitable increase in the size of the economy, and as law firms in Uganda adapt to the changing demands of their clients, there is little doubt that that is where legal practice in Uganda is headed to. This experience was therefore a valuable insight into the practice of law in a complex environment and I carried back the lessons learnt into my practice and service to clients in Kampala and beyond.
The ILFA experience was very valuable for the contacts and networks I made during my time. To begin with, my fellow participants were drawn from diverse countries in Africa such as Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi and Cameroon which enabled us to share experiences and perspectives.
In summary, the ILFA experience is an invaluable means of bringing lawyers from across Africa and the world together and a crucial avenue by which legal practitioners can further develop their skills in key areas that will increasingly be of interest to their clients
Ayodele Oni Nigeria ILFA Candidate 2009
The ILFA program is top class like you candidates and I am sure it will leave a lasting impression in your life generally and your career in particular. That is, if you make the most of it.
I was with SJ Berwin and I worked with one of the greatest guys you can work with, Bayo Odubeko and learnt law and the 'business of law'. I tried the best I could within my capacity and we wrote a few articles together. You wouldn't believe it, that a few top guys in the best and highest paying firms in Nigeria saw my articles and wanted the get to know me better. From just writing articles, a few newspapers have published my articles. In fact, a publisher of a magazine for lawyers in Nigeria told me a few weeks ago that he saw my ILFA profile and the very interesting articles I had written and would like to publish one of those articles and also profile me in the young lawyers' edition of his magazine for the IBA conference edition in October.
I can go on and on, but would not want to bore you guys. The moral is- MAKE THE BEST/MOST OF THE ILFA OPPORTUNITY to network, learn international practices and build life long relationships; who knows how and when any of these would come in very useful. What you derive from the ILFA program is directly proportional to what you put in.