By: Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi SAN, FCIArb (UK)
INTRODUCTION
There was a time when being a successful lawyer simply meant being well-dressed, having a huge library, going in and out of courtrooms, and writing long, serious opinions. But today, things are changing fast; a new kind of economy has emerged, one where businesses are being built overnight. With the advent of technology, complex problems are being solved in minutes, and industries are being reshaped by innovation. The legal profession cannot stand apart from this shift.
Lawyers, particularly young lawyers, are entering a world where the traditional path is no longer enough. It is not just about knowing the law anymore; it is about understanding the world the law now operates in. Clients are changing, the way legal services are delivered is changing, and the expectation of what a lawyer should be is also changing. Many of these new crop of clients, like tech companies and digital creators, are building products and platforms in industries that are still unfamiliar to most lawyers.
Hence, conversations about tech, business, and the future of law are not optional. The digital economy does not just need lawyers who can draft contracts; it needs lawyers who can think strategically, understand business models, speak the language of innovation, and adapt quickly. As unsettling as that may sound, it is also exciting because it means there is room to redefine what it means to be a lawyer today.
LEGAL PRACTICE IN A TECH-DRIVEN WORLD
One of the most noticeable shifts in the legal profession today is how legal services are being delivered. Technology has stripped away many of the formalities that once defined law practice. Clients no longer need to visit law offices to receive quality legal advice. Contracts are negotiated over Zoom, documents are signed electronically, and some court proceedings are now conducted virtually. What this means for lawyers is simple: the profession is gradually moving away from being location-bound and paper-heavy, and towards becoming more flexible, tech-enabled, and client-focused.
This evolution is not only about speed or convenience, but also about access to justice. A lawyer with a laptop and the right tools can now run a lean, efficient law practice, serving clients across multiple cities or even countries. There are platforms that automate tasks like document drafting, case tracking, and client onboarding. In Nigeria, tools like LawPavilion’s TIMI, DIYLaw, and even WhatsApp-based legal services are helping lawyers meet the expectations of a digitally-minded generation of clients. These tools are not replacing lawyers; they are simply creating space for lawyers to operate their higher-valued services.
At the heart of all this is a simple truth: the business of law is becoming more dynamic. It is no longer enough to rely solely on courtroom appearances or referrals from senior colleagues. Younger lawyers who understand how technology is reshaping industries are better positioned to serve the new breed of clients. They are also more likely to build practices that are adaptable, efficient, and future-ready.
TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL, MARKET, AND A LANGUAGE FOR LAWYERS
As technology continues to transform the legal profession, it is important to understand that its impact is not one-dimensional. For lawyers, especially those hoping to remain relevant in a fast-changing economy, technology should be viewed through three lenses: as a tool, a market, and a language.
- Technology as a Tool “Working Smarter, Not Harder”: At the most basic level, technology is a tool that helps lawyers work more efficiently, manage their time better, and deliver services with greater precision. This includes employing tools like document automation software and legal research platforms in carrying out legal services. These tools reduce the administrative burden in a lawyer’s work, the time spent on repetitive tasks, and improve the accuracy and speed of legal service delivery. A lawyer who understands how to use these tools can focus on the substance of their work, while still meeting the modern client’s expectations for speed and efficiency. Tools like Clio, Casetext, and LawPavilion are becoming part of the new legal toolkit.
- Technology as a Market “Serving the Builders of the Digital Economy”: Technology is not just something lawyers use; beyond using tech, lawyers must start seeing it as a market in itself. The world’s economy is increasingly being built on technology-driven businesses, from fintech startups and e-commerce platforms, to Web3 innovators, e.t.c. The rise of these businesses has created a growing pool of clients who operate in unfamiliar legal terrain. These companies need legal support that goes beyond basic company registration or contract drafting, they require lawyers who understand venture capital structuring, intellectual property protection, data protection, data privacy compliance, cross-border transactions, and general tech policies. Lawyers who understand how these industries work, i.e “understand how a startup is funded, what it means to comply with relevant applicable laws,” are better equipped to add value, offer meaningful, industry-aware advice. More importantly, they can build niche practices that cater directly to the needs of the digital economy.
- Technology as a Language “Bridging the Legal-Product Divide”: The third and often overlooked aspect is technology as a language. Many clients who operate in the digital space rely on product terms, development frameworks, and agile methodologies that are unfamiliar to most lawyers. Terms like Application Programming Interface (API), User Experience (UX), tokens, Smart Contracts, backend architecture, although not necessarily legal terms, matter in legal conversations in such businesses. The ability to understand how digital products are built, what drives tech-based businesses, and how to communicate with developers, product managers, or startup founders is now a valuable legal skill. This does not mean lawyers need to code or build software. It simply means they must learn to bridge the communication gap between legal advice and product design. When a lawyer can speak to how the law applies to APIs, tokens, data pipelines, or platform terms of service, they instantly become more useful to the client, not just as a lawyer, but as a strategic advisor.
EMBRACING ENTREPRENEUR MINDSET AS A LAWYER
While the legal profession remains a noble profession, it is also increasingly a business. Yet, many lawyers are never taught to see it that way. The traditional model focused heavily on gaining legal expertise, often leaving out the equally important skills of branding, pricing, networking, and business thinking. As the legal industry evolves, young lawyers must learn how to run their practice as a business or even start businesses of their own to position themselves for long-term relevance.
The lawyer-as-entrepreneur mindset begins with seeing yourself not just as a professional but as a service provider in a competitive market. This means being intentional about how you present your value, who you serve, and how you deliver your services. It means understanding client behaviour, leveraging digital platforms for visibility, and pricing your services in a way that reflects both value and sustainability. Whether you run a small firm, work in a larger practice, or operate as a sole practitioner, thinking like an entrepreneur allows you to take control of your growth, rather than waiting passively for opportunities.
Young lawyers can now build niche practices around startup advisory, IP protection, and regulatory compliance. They can also develop legal templates, online courses, or personal brands through content creation. Or better still, build LegalTech platforms that provide automated services to the public. These show that legal training can be the foundation for much more than traditional practice. With the right mindset, young lawyers can create solutions, build ventures, and serve their communities in innovative ways, all while staying grounded in their professional ethics.
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES AND ETHICS
As exciting as the intersection of law, business, and technology is, it does not come without its own set of complexities. Young lawyers operating in this space often face challenges, from limited access to LegalTech infrastructure to unclear regulations, and sometimes, scepticism from traditional clients or colleagues. Practising law in Nigeria, especially as it relates to tech, means dealing with a system that is still catching up with global innovation trends. But these gaps, while frustrating, are also areas where smart, forward-thinking lawyers can create real impact.
One major challenge is the lack of regulatory clarity in emerging areas like fintech, crypto assets, AI, and data protection. While frameworks like the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and SEC guidelines exist, there are still grey areas that require careful navigation. This is where ethical judgment becomes crucial. Lawyers working in fast-moving sectors must learn to balance innovation with responsibility, advising clients not just on what is possible but also on what is prudent. Legal advice in this space should not only be about compliance; lawyers should also guide businesses to operate sustainably and with integrity, even when the law is still evolving.
There is also the challenge of earning credibility in unfamiliar territory. Tech founders may prefer lawyers who understand product development, while older lawyers may question whether this kind of practice is even “real law.” But with consistency and competence, young lawyers can bridge that divide. Lawyers practising in the tech space must immerse themselves in the industry by attending product demos, reading tech policy papers, following regulators, and staying curious. Over time, this builds not just expertise but trust. And in a country like Nigeria, where digital transformation is just beginning to accelerate, there is plenty of room for lawyers who can guide the process with clarity and care.
CONCLUSION: BUILDING THE TECH-SAVVY, BUSINESS-MINDED LAWYER NIGERIA NEEDS.
As young lawyers, the incorporation of tech into law is not something we can afford to watch from the sidelines; it is already unfolding, and it demands that young lawyers evolve with it. The digital economy is expanding, industries are being redefined, and entirely new categories of clients are emerging. In all of this, there is a growing demand for lawyers who understand how modern businesses operate, who are fluent in the logic of innovation, and who can bring clarity to the complexity of a tech-driven world.
However, becoming that kind of lawyer is not about abandoning the foundations of the profession; rather, it is about expanding them. It is about bringing legal thinking into executive boardroom meetings, into product design conversations, into startup ecosystems, and regulatory strategy. Young lawyers must know how to ask the right questions in unfamiliar spaces and not be afraid to learn new things even when it is outside their comfort zone. It is about shifting from the mindset of “waiting to be briefed” to the mindset of “solving real-world problems.”
Finally, the world is changing, and we must change with it. Young lawyers must not sit back and observe; it is a time to pay attention, learn new things, and think differently about what it means to practice law.
