Best Internship for Law Students in Nigeria 2024

As a law student, internships are important as they help build on what has been learned in university.

In the classroom, the theory is mostly taught, and only on a few occasions are the practical aspect of law taught, this practical aspect, in which you apply what has been learned, is not available in all schools either, this is why internships are important.

An internship is an experience where a student, a graduate, or even a working-class person, goes to a place relating to their field of study to gain more experience in that particular area.

As a law student, certain places would benefit you more, if you go there as an intern to gain experience on how things are done.

Some of these places include;

  • Law firms
  • Courts (higher or lower courts)
  • Arbitration and mediation firms
  • Government ministries, etc.

Starting with law firms; A law firm is a business entity that is created and formed by a lawyer, or several lawyers, to engage in, and practice Law.

They primarily advise clients (which can be individuals or corporations) on their legal rights, positions, and obligations.

They also help represent the client in court during civil or criminal cases, business transactions, dispute settlements,s or any other agreement to be made.

Best Internship for Law Students in Nigeria

To intern in a Law firm, especially a well-established, and popular law firm, you have to have certain qualities that would make them want to hire you as an intern, especially if you’re going to be paid.

  • Have great research skills
  • Have great writing skills
  • Great communication skills
  • Be tech-savvy
  • Have great qualifications; like previous internships or experience.
  • Understand what you learn in the classroom so you can apply it.
  • Be quick to catch up
  • Have a good command of the English language

In a good legal internship, you would be asked to conduct research, give opinions and advice, and draft legal letters, court summons, and legal documents.

A good internship is going to test your knowledge and how you can apply it in real-life scenarios, other assignments can be reviewing documents, organizing documents, and filing some documents at the court.

Law Firms in Nigeria

Some well-known firms in Nigeria where you can apply are:

AELEX

This is a leading Commercial & Dispute Resolution law firm. They are one of the largest full-service law firms in West Africa, and they have branches in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.

We provide legal services involving commercial practice areas that cover a broad spectrum of matters relating to;

  • Project Finance
  • Litigation & Arbitration
  • Oil & Gas
  • Agriculture
  • Capital Market & Securities Law
  • Power, Tax Law
  • International Trade Law
  • Securities Law
  • Energy & Infrastructure
  • Banking & Finance Law, Aviation & Maritime Law
  • Intellectual Property Law, Technology Law
  • Telecommunications Law
  • Media & Entertainment and Financial Technology

Banwo & Ighodalo

This is a well-structured partnership firm that comprises over 70 solicitors.

They work for public and private companies, governments, Nigerian and foreign investors, financial institutions, foreign law firms, and international consultancy firms.

Lawyers from their firm are often called upon to serve as resource persons at local and international seminars/workshops and as public and private sector office holders and advisers

Their areas of specialization are:

  • Capital Markets
  • Securities
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Corporate Finance & Restructuring
  • Project Finance
  • Foreign Investment & Divestments and one of the top five law firms in Shipping
  • Aviation & International Trade
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Intellectual Property.

They also have a worthy track record in Commercial Litigation.

Olaniwun Ajayi LP

This firm has established a sterling reputation for a wide range of corporate, and commercial litigations.

They are also known for complex transactions, high-stakes mergers and acquisitions, capital markets activities, intellectual property rights, regulatory compliance, tax issues, and virtually every other type of legal matter that can impact the modern business or institution.

Aluko & Oyebode

They specialize in the areas of corporate and commercial legal services, this includes;

  • Banking
  • Capital markets
  • Competition & antitrust law
  • Corporate services
  • Governance, risk,
  • Compliance; employment
  • Immigration and incentives
  • Energy and natural resources
  • Financial institutions advisory
  • Infrastructure finance and PPP
  • Intellectual property
  • International trade
  • Litigation
  • Dispute resolution & risk management; etc.

Udo Udoma & Bello Osagie

Their areas of specialization are:

  • Aviation
  • Intellectual Property
  • Banking and Finance (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring)
  • Business Establishment and Cooperate Immigration
  • Mining
  • Capital Markets
  • Mining
  • Oil and Gas
  • Real Estate
  • Tax
  • Fintech
  • Dispute Resolution, etc.

Court Sessions

So there are different areas of law practice, and as listed above, different firms focus on different areas, so whichever area you are interested in, it will be advisable to pick a law firm that is in that area of practice, for your internship.

Apart from Law firms, going to courts on a few occasions, just to watch a session will also help you as a law student. This might even help you get to meet some Legal practitioners that will help as mentors.

A lot of lessons can be learned from going to and sitting through court sessions. For example, a court session will help you caution and tailor your use of language to the style of the court, and help you know the appropriate manner in which to address the court, even before practice.

Arbitration & Mediation Firms

Arbitration & Mediation firms are good places for law students to intern.

This is because you would learn the basic skills of communication and dispute resolution which are needed as a legal practitioner.

Government Ministries

Government ministries are government houses and buildings, which are in the form of subdivisions in various states in the form of different ministries (e.g Ministry of internal affairs).

Going to these places to intern would help you gain knowledge on how to file certain documents in required places other than courts. For example, how to Register a land title in the land Registry.

It should be noted that, of all these options, the Law firm internship is still more advisable, this is because it encompasses almost all of the other aspects.

Being attached to a lawyer in a firm, for example, would give you a chance to visit the court, visit the government houses and ministries, and other legal institutions you can gain knowledge from.

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