The ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt has turned attention to the financial realities of legal practice, with practitioners urged to develop a more professional approach to determining, negotiating and collecting legal fees. The message formed the central focus of a breakout session titled “The Business of Fee,” moderated by Emeka Obegolu, SAN, with Bode Olanipekun, SAN, Chinyere Okorocha, Ikechukwu Ekwueme, Aisha Ado Abdullahi and Isdore Uzuo as speakers.
The panellists challenged lawyers, particularly young practitioners, to recognise that legal expertise is a professional asset with measurable commercial value. They maintained that sustainable legal practice requires practitioners to move beyond discomfort around fee discussions and approach the issue with confidence, transparency and a clear understanding of the services being offered to clients.
Bode Olanipekun, SAN, cautioned lawyers against allowing familiarity with clients to undermine the value placed on their professional services. He noted that longstanding relationships with clients should instead encourage clearer and more professional conversations about fees. Chinyere Okorocha similarly stressed that legal practice has an important commercial component and urged lawyers to appreciate the monetary value of their knowledge, experience and professional responsibility.
The session identified several considerations that should guide the pricing of legal briefs, including the scope and complexity of the assignment, the resources and cost required for delivery, the risks involved, the importance of the matter to the client, as well as the lawyer’s expertise and experience. Speakers also emphasised that practitioners must be able to clearly explain the value they bring to a client rather than treating fee negotiations as merely a discussion about cost.
Aisha Ado Abdullahi drew attention to the Remuneration Order as an important framework for professional fee determination. She advised lawyers to first understand the nature and scope of the service required before determining an appropriate price. According to the discussions, having a structured approach to fees can help promote professionalism, reduce uncertainty and ensure that lawyers are appropriately compensated for the responsibilities they undertake.
The session concluded with a strong message that valuing legal services is essential to building sustainable and professionally respected law practices. Participants were encouraged to combine competence with commercial awareness, communicate their value confidently and use established fee guidelines appropriately. The broader takeaway was that lawyers who understand both the professional and business dimensions of their practice will be better positioned to deliver quality services while maintaining financially sustainable practices.