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THE LAWYER'S COFFEE By: Agboola Mariam



*Advocacy is a skill. The skill of persuasion. It is an art, not a science*

Join me on a voyage of exposition as we explore the tool of the hallowed profession.  Never be afraid to ask for direction on how to practice law more effectively. Everyone is afraid to look foolish but practice of law is a collaborative endeavor - *Eugenec blackard*

Advocacy is what a lawyer should painstakingly develop as his success in both oral and written addresses would depend largely on how he is able to translate his words into logic and logic into words. Advocacy is not about forcing people to agree with you but it is more of a skill - the skill of persuasion.

Like any other skill, *advocacy can be learnt.*
The position prior to this age was that advocacy cannot be taught at all and that it can only be learned through a mystical
process of quasi osmosis. Just as it is the case with other skills, you can only be taught some of it while excellence in it would be determined by personal commitment and dedication.

On this basis, nobody can be taught to be a brilliant advocate, excellence requires practice. As a seasoned scholar puts it, *practice your art so much that you find the secret behind it*

We learn advocacy by doing it. By practice and practice and more practice. These tips will help in getting started:

 --> Try things out then debate them before hand as advocacy involves experimenting regularly. This will help to improve existing skills and to try out new skills.

 --> Don't sit around. Get up and do it
 --> Practice in front of mirror
 --> Practice in front of friends
 --> Practice to and from class or work in the quiet of your mind on foot, on the train or in the bus
--> Don't be shy to talk out loud to yourself
--> Honing your skill its not madness, if in private. (just don't do it in the supermarket or public)
--> Always look for ways to ask and phrase questions, turning phrases and encapsulating arguments.
--> Don't ever stop being curious. Think new idea work on dem,and have courage to try them.      

 NB: *TO BE A GOOD ADVOCATE, PRACTICE IS WHAT IS NECESSARY*

The lawyer's coffee : A spry polemic on how to be really good in court.

COMPILED _BY:
*AGBOOLA MARIAM*
Law Part One
Faculty of law
Obafemi Awolowo University
Sept 20, 2017

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