My first day at Osuntuyi & Tokan-Lawal Law (OTL Law) began in the Federal High Court, stepping into that courtroom, filled with the weight of legal arguments and the hum of anticipation, I was nervous and excited. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey that would challenge me, inspire me, and redefine my understanding of the legal field.
At the dawn of this year, I set a personal goal: to connect meaningfully with experts in the legal field. Driven by this resolution, I reached out to Ms A Tope Tokan-Lawal, whose profound expertise in Intellectual property, litigation and ADR had truly inspired me. To my delight, she graciously offered me an internship at her firm.
When I started my internship at OTL Law, I had a set of expectations – learn new skills, contribute to projects, and maybe survive on copious amounts of coffee😅😅. What I didn’t anticipate was the sheer depth of learning, the incredible mentorship, and the unexpected twists that turned this internship into a transformative journey.
My internship wasn’t just about completing assignments; it was about cultivating critical thinking, fostering collaborative spirit, and navigating the complexities of real-world legal scenarios. My final project, a practical case involving the unauthorized use of lyrics in the music industry, particularly stands out. It required a deep dive into the Copyright Act and the Arbitration and Mediation Act, culminating in drafting a formal letter to the infringing party. It was a demanding yet incredibly rewarding exercise, forcing me to revisit and apply familiar concepts in a fresh, practical context.
My sincere gratitude goes to Ms Tokan-Lawal for this remarkable opportunity. A special thank you to Sharon Ogunjiofor and Oluwaferanmi Omotoso for their invaluable guidance and unwavering support.
This internship has been an invaluable stepping stone, and I’m excited to apply these lessons in my future endeavors.
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Take that chance! Send the request, submit the application. You’ve got this.
Victoria Sogade is a First Class graduate from University of Lagos (UNILAG). She interned at OTL Law in February/March 2025.