The second day of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Annual Law Conference continued with a high-level third plenary session at the MUSON Centre, Onikan. The session, themed “Image, Communication & Client Relations in Legal Practice,” brought together some of the country’s most respected legal minds to examine how lawyers can build strong personal brands, communicate effectively, and nurture lasting client relationships in a competitive and evolving legal market.
Renowned media entrepreneur and keynote speaker, Mr. Adebola Williams, set the tone for the session by extracting the critical role image and storytelling play in influencing public perception and client trust. The panel was chaired by Mrs Omolola Ikwuagwu, Partner at George Ikoli & Okagbue who guided the robust discussions involving some of Nigeria’s leading legal minds.
Kicking off the panel, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya emphasized that a lawyer’s image goes beyond appearance, it communicates value. “Lawyers are constantly being judged by how we look and carry ourselves. When you appear responsible and respectable, you automatically command respect,” she said. She called on legal practitioners to be intentional about their personal brand, appearance, and demeanour. “Good lawyers know the law, but great lawyers understand how they are perceived.”
Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, Partner at The Law Crest LLP reinforced this perspective by linking personal identity to client confidence. “Reputation is everything in legal practice,” he said. “It’s not just about your qualifications but how you communicate your skills and solutions to your clients. You must be a sound individual before you can be a brilliant lawyer.” He urged lawyers to develop a clear, holistic story about who they are and where they are going professionally.
Mrs. Chinasa Unaegbunam, SAN, Partner at Streamsowers & Kôhn, added depth to the conversation by noting that staying relevant in today’s legal profession requires more than technical skill. “Nigeria is filled with talented lawyers, but to maintain relevance, you must deliver value, understand your clients, and apply emotional intelligence,” she said. She also stressed the importance of language, stating, “How you speak and the words you use can make or break your client relationships.”
Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, Partner at Aluko & Oyebode, focused on the role of communication in stakeholder engagement. “Effective communication within legal practice is the ability to engage with your stakeholder (whether internal or external) in a clear, concise and timely manner,” he said. He also addressed the legal community’s misunderstanding of advertising rules. “We often think the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) forbid all forms of marketing. But within legal bounds, we can still communicate and market our services meaningfully.” He concluded by reminding lawyers that “the best form of marketing is high-quality work.”
The session wrapped up with a charge from Erojikwe: “In law, you deal with many stakeholders, from clients to regulators, so your vision must be clear. Be intentional about how you communicate.”
With compelling insights from industry leaders, the panel emphasized that in a world where perception often precedes competence, the legal profession must evolve to balance technical excellence with strategic communication and emotional intelligence.
