By Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam, Esq, ACIARb (UK), ACArb, AICMC, ACIS
Treasurer, NBA Abuja Branch (2022-2024)
Introduction
Once upon a time, Nigerian lawyers were confined by geography. If you were not practicing in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt, your opportunities were limited and if you were not abroad, earning in dollars, pounds, or euros felt like a far-fetched dream but the game has changed.
Today, the world is your client base and your expertise, if positioned right, can attract foreign currency without a visa stamp or plane ticket.
Welcome to the era of the Global Lawyer—the one who understands that the true jurisdiction of success is not defined by borders, but by strategy, visibility, and digital infrastructure.
A.The Borderless Practice – What It Means to Be a Global Lawyer
Being a global lawyer does not mean practicing in New York or London courts. It means:
1. Offering cross-border legal insight
2. Providing consulting services relevant to international clients.
3. Leveraging your local knowledge for global value.
You do not need to be dual qualified to earn foreign currencies , you only need to know how to package your knowledge in ways that appeal to international needs.
B. Legal Services Nigerian Lawyers Can Offer Globally
Think outside the litigation box, these are legal-adjacent and global-friendly services you can offer:
1. Legal Consulting for Foreign Startups
Nigeria is Africa’s largest market. Foreign companies want in but they need guidance. You can:
1. Provide advice on business registration
2. Draft regulatory compliance documents
3. Guide foreign founders on local partnerships and structuring
2. Contract Drafting and Review
From tech startups to remote teams, the global freelance economy is booming and contracts are in high demand.
1. Offer flat-rate packages for contracts, NDAs, MoUs.
2. Help creators and service providers protect their IP globally.
3. Immigration & International Student Advisory
Do you have experience with visa applications, residency, or study abroad legal support? Package it as a paid consultation or digital product.
4. Legal Content Creation
If you can simplify complex legal topics, consider the following:
1. Writing for legal publications abroad.
2. Ghostwriting legal blogs for foreign law firms.
3. Creating legal explainer videos for platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
C. Platforms to Attract Foreign Clients
1. Upwork & Fiverr
These platforms are not just for designers and writers. Many lawyers now offer:
1. Legal research
2. Contract writing
3. Business registration support
4. Trademark searches
Position yourself as a “Legal Consultant” or “Business Legal Strategist” to broaden your appeal.
2. LinkedIn
Although quite common, it is still underused by many Nigerian professionals. With the right positioning, you can:
1. Attract international professionals needing African legal guidance
2. Build credibility through articles, short legal tips, or case insights
3. Clarity.fm & Coach.me
These platforms let you charge by the minute or hour to provide legal/business advice. Great for lawyers with niche experience.
4. Gumroad, Payhip, Selar
Use these to sell your digital products like:
1. Legal templates
2. Guides to doing business in Nigeria
3. Compliance checklists
D. Payment Gateways to Get Paid in USD, GBP, or EUR
No foreign client will pay you in naira. You need systems to collect and retain foreign currency legally and efficiently.
✅ Use These:
1. Payoneer: Ideal for receiving funds from freelance platforms and global clients.
2. Grey.co: Lets you open virtual USD, GBP, and EUR accounts with Nigerian KYC and it works well with Upwork and Fiverr.
3. Geegpay: Also offers virtual foreign accounts and supports multiple currencies.
4. Wise (formerly TransferWise): Great for invoicing clients in their currency.
5. Stripe (via Paystack/Flutterwave integrations): If you sell digital products, this can collect USD.
Tip: Use a domiciliary account to transfer and save in dollars.
E. Keys to Thriving as a Global Lawyer from Nigeria
1. Position Yourself Internationally
2. Do not just be a Nigerian lawyer, be a legal advisor to African startups or a compliance strategist for foreign businesses in Africa.
3. Invest in Personal Branding
4. Have a professional website, LinkedIn profile, or Linktree page with all your services and client testimonials.
5. Charge in Foreign Currency
6. Stop quoting in naira for services that solve international problems. Package your services in USD or GBP equivalents.
7. Get Comfortable with Asynchronous Work
8. Clients in Australia or Canada would not wait for your “office hours”. Use Calendly, Zoom, Notion, or Loom to work across time zones.
9. Stay Compliant
10. Speak with a tax expert to declare and remit any earnings. Financial intelligence is just as important as legal intelligence.
Final Verdict: Your Practice is Bigger Than Nigeria
You do not need a global license to earn global income.
You need a mindset shift, a digital strategy, and the courage to step outside the traditional mold.
Lawyers who learn to earn beyond the bench are already building wealth in dollars, pounds, and euros from their Lagos or Enugu home office.
Connect with me on Social Media:
X: CIAO Legal
LinkedIn: Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam
Instagram: CIAO Legal
Facebook: Chinelo Ofoegbunam
