From Law Student to Legal Insider: My Banwo & Ighodalo Internship

An insider's glimpse into the prestigious B & I!

By now, most law students have probably heard about the famed B & I. A Tier 1 law firm located in the heart of Lagos, Banwo & Ighodalo is undoubtedly at the top of many wishlists.

According to its website, Banwo & Ighodalo is the only Nigerian law firm with Tier 1 rankings in all 6 practice areas in the Legal 500 EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) rankings for 2023. It also retained the Tier 1 spot across 8 practice areas in the IFLR1000 2022 Firm Rankings.

But what’s it really like to be on the inside?

Join us as we follow the exciting journey of Deborah Ajanya, a 400-level Law student at the University of Lagos, who recently explored the inner workings of the prestigious Banwo & Ighodalo. Get ready for a firsthand glimpse into the heart of this legal powerhouse.

Nice to meet you! Can we get to know you, please?

I am Deborah Ajanya, a 400 level student of Law at the University of Lagos. I'm quite an inquisitive person and like to explore different fields of learning. I won't say I'm doing law because I love it; I'm simply doing law, and I'm beginning to love it. I don't know if I will practice or what area I want to practice yet. However, I'm looking forward to what the future holds in store for me.

Can you provide an overview of the company you interned at and the department or role you were assigned?

I interned at Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading commercial firm in Nigeria. It has several departments that deal with anything commercial law. During my time there, I was able to work with Capital Market; Shipping and Aviation; Tax; Banking and Finance and Litigation.

My role was basically assisting the Associates with client matters. I did research; helped in conducting company due diligence; drafted MemArts or other documents; reviewed contract agreements; gave legal opinions; did legal writing; drafted minutes during meetings with clients or practice team meetings.

How did you prepare for the internship application and interview process? What documents and information did you have to present?

There was no interview. I simply sent in my CV and a cover letter to the HR email, accompanied by a well-drafted body. Your CV should be simple and concise, should have your grade, your skills and interests and a personal statement.

Your cover letter should introduce yourself, why you want the internship, what areas of law you've explored (subjects you've been taught in school), your level etc. Some of these things should be in the body of your email too, because they might not read through your cover letter. Your email should have an accurate subject e.g. “Application for Internship.” This is because HR receives a lot of mail for different reasons. To avoid your email getting lost in the pool or ignored, put in a subject in bold. Yeah, I forgot to mention: put in the name of your school too and mention the name of the firm. State that you are aware that the firm prioritizes or is known for “this and that.”

How did you feel on your first day? What was the reception (welcome) like?

My first day wasn't so good for me. That was because I resumed later than others. But eventually, the week progressed well.

Could you describe a typical day or week during your internship?

Every week, we were assigned to new practice groups. A typical week would look like this: introduction to the practice team, receiving induction slides and other relevant write-ups to help you understand the practice area and what your practice group does, say, Shipping and Aviation or Corporate Commercial.

Then, you make a short presentation on what you understand to an associate or your supervisor. From then on, you are assigned different tasks to work on. During the week, you are also expected to join the practice group meetings. On some weeks, there there might be a general meeting or training. You will be lucky to get lunch or snacks. I always looked forward to meetings 😂.

What were your primary responsibilities and tasks during the internship?

Anything assigned by the practice group. Legal research, drafting, legal writing, etc.

Were there any unexpected challenges or obstacles you encountered during your internship, and how did you handle them?

Yes, on my first day. So I didn't resume on the first week of the internship; orientations had already been given to the interns on the first week. When I resumed, I wasn't really briefed on how things worked. I sat at my desk all day; I didn't know that I was supposed to introduce myself to the practice group I was assigned to for the week.

Subsequently, my supervisor called me into her office and expressed her displeasure and asked if I wasn't interested in working with the team. Thankfully, I was able to resolve the issue and had a splendid time with the team.

Another challenge I faced was when I spent the entire day working on the wrong thing. I didn't understand my task, and I didn't seek clarification. At the end of the day, I didn't deliver what was expected. I felt really ashamed, but I learnt better from the experience.

Were you assigned real-life tasks or purely internship-related work?

Hmmm. Yes, most of the time, except the work was highly confidential or beyond our level of legal knowledge. We were incorporated into every aspect of the firm, hence, we were given opportunities to assist the lawyers in real life tasks. Litigation, for instance, would explain the situation to you and ask you to look for related cases or how it could be resolved. For other teams, we were given a bit of the work to assist and joined them in meetings with their clients. It was really enjoyable.

Were there opportunities for networking and building connections within the company or industry? Did you interact with the lawyers and other members of staff?

Yes, you always have the opportunity to interact with lawyers from various practice groups and even other staff members as well.

Can you share any memorable moments or achievements from your internship experience?

Everything about my internship in B & I was memorable. I enjoyed every day.

What did you learn about the company culture and work environment during your internship?

B & I prioritizes excellence. They don't appreciate laziness or idleness, so it's important to always seek out tasks from the associates. They also pay attention to detail because of the kind of clients they handle and their kind of work. You have to ensure that you deliver on your tasks well and ask questions when you are uncertain. Do not assume.

Did you receive any feedback or performance evaluations during your internship?

Yes. We were expected to fill reflection forms at the end of the week and approach our supervisors for feedback. Also, after every task, it was important to ask your supervisors or whoever you worked with for feedback on your task.

Was there any form of remuneration (stipends, transportation support, free lunch, data allowance)?

Yesss, please. At the end of the internship, we were given a very good stipend. Also, whenever the day got extended due to any meetings, we were provided with lunch or snacks and drinks.

Would you consider working there as an employee in the future?

Definitely! Unless God has a different plan for me. One thing that inspires this decision is the fact that Banwo & Ighodalo has a very healthy work atmosphere. I've worked and interned in places that felt quite hostile and toxic, but I didn't feel that way at B & I.

The careful attention to detail, the workspace, snooze room (where you can even relax) and the relationship amongst the staff show that B & I cares about their staff. Also, when you check the track record of people who have worked there, it is nothing short of excellence. Most move from there to better places; many of their staff members are known for excellence. I want that for myself too.

For students considering a similar internship, what advice or insights would you offer to help them make the most of their experience? Would you advise other interns to apply during the next cohort? What can they do to make themselves stand out?

Yes. If you have the opportunity, give it a shot. It's totally worth any price you can pay for the experience. For me, it was investing so much money into transportation. I live very far away; I had to wake up as early as 4 or 5am to beat traffic. On some mornings, my body refused to respond, but I pushed. I don't regret making those sacrifices.

Please apply; don't settle for less. If you are rejected, apply again. Make your CV as simple and concise as possible. Truth is, they will not spend so much time analyzing all your records, so only input things that are relevant. You also don't need to put in all your track records of internships. They don't care. What really matters to them is your grade, your introductory statement and the body of your email (at least from what HR told us).

Also, work on improving yourself because it is the way you present yourself at work that makes you stand out. Landing the internship is not just enough.

Do you want to share your social media handles with us (Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook etc.)?

You can connect on Instagram: @o_j_o_c_h_e and on LinkedIn @: Ajanya Deborah

Well, there you have it! An inside look at Banwo & Ighodalo. Remember to keep Deborah's helpful tips in mind for the next time you're applying for an internship.

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