Lagos, Nigeria | June 17, 2025 –
Renowned legal practitioner and image strategist, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, on Tuesday, delivered a powerful message to members of the legal profession at the 2025 NBA Lagos Annual Law Conference, urging lawyers to be intentional about building their personal and professional brands.
Speaking on Day 3 of the ongoing NBA Lagos Law Week, Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya, fondly called Mrs. B, was a panelist at the third plenary session titled “Image, Communication & Client Relations in Legal Practice.” She joined a panel of high-profile speakers including Adebola Williams (Keynote Speaker), Omolola Ikwuagwu (Panel Chair), Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, Chinasa Unaegbunam, SAN, and Tobenna Erojikwe.
In her characteristically energetic and motivational style, Mrs. B declared:
“Be intentional! Have a strong personal brand!”
She stressed that while legal expertise is essential, how a lawyer is perceived plays a significant role in professional advancement.
“Good lawyers know the law, but great lawyers know how they are perceived,” she stated.
Mrs. B identified four key pillars that influence how a lawyer is judged: appearance, demeanor, communication style, and reputation. According to her, these components of professional image are non-negotiable for any lawyer seeking excellence and longevity in legal practice.
“A polished image—a credible, ethical, and knowledgeable image—builds trust,” she explained. “Not just with clients, but with colleagues, the courts, and every stakeholder you encounter.”
She cautioned against the notion that image is limited to dressing alone, pointing out that it encompasses how a lawyer writes, speaks, behaves, and the signals they send even before saying a word.
“Looking the part can do 50% of the work for you,” she noted. “If you want to be taken seriously, show up prepared.”
Recalling a courtroom encounter where a judge reprimanded a lawyer for raising his voice during submissions, she highlighted the importance of professionalism, poise, and calm advocacy.
“Shouting is not advocacy,” she quoted. “Whether you win or lose, you must stay courteous. Your dressing and posture both speak—even before you say a word.”
Mrs. B offered relatable and practical tips for personal brand building, especially to younger lawyers, and emphasized the importance of consistency in character, competence, and comportment.
“Let your name speak for you—that’s how you get into rooms your feet have not entered,” she advised.
She closed her session with a poignant reminder:
“Your image is everything you carry with you—your looks, your tone, your mindset, your values. You are your first brand manager. Be intentional in the way you develop it. Let your presence be felt long after your absence is forgotten.”
Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya’s address was one of the standout moments of the day, earning her a rousing applause and reinforcing the theme of the 2025 Law Week—rethinking the future of legal services through ethics, innovation, and professional excellence.
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