“…it is very important to expose oneself to global standards for practicing law.”-Janet Temlari Gapsiso
Janet Temlari Gapsiso is a Chartered Mediator and the Managing Partner of Tamarix Law, an Intellectual Property Law Firm in Abuja. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), Intellectual Property Lawyers Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) and International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). In addition to publishing the first Intellectual Property Valuation Courses on Udemy, she also has extensive experience in the entertainment industry where she started as a Talent Manager and is now running Lari’s CAFE Ltd, a production company and platform for creative legal education. She mentors law students and young lawyers under the Lawyers Without Courtrooms (LWC) initiative run by Tamarix Law.
1. The Driving Force for Choosing the Legal Profession.
Janet’s passion for the legal profession started in 2016 in her Intellectual Property class. She only applied for law because she was an art student. She didn’t have any interest until that class showed her how the law can protect the creation of the human mind. Right now, her motivation has evolved from the growth of the Creative Industry to the growth of the African economy. She believes this can happen through building legacy businesses and not one-man ventures that often die with their founders or fancy start-ups that get sold after successful IPOs. Although elements of her motivation have changed, she still maintains that the African economy can be boosted through IP optimisation in the Creative Industries.
2. Qualities of an Exceptional Lawyer and How Young Professionals Can Cultivate Such Attributes.
Janet believes that a truly exceptional lawyer in today’s world is one who is up to date with technology and cultural changes around the world and not just one that knows the letter of the law. That “current” lawyer will be more useful to their clients and employers.
3. Significant Ongoing Project or Initiatives and Possible Impacts.
Janet’s law firm is working on building a network of exceptional lawyers as she described in her last answer through the Lawyers Without Courtrooms Mentorship Programme. Her goal is to duplicate herself in other lawyers so that the goal of building many legacy businesses in Africa will be achieved faster not just through her but other lawyers as well.
4. Role Models and Impactful Books
One book that challenged Janet as well as reassured her passion for Entertainment Law is and remains “Entertainment Law in Nigeria” by Michael Dugeri. In her journey, she has been greatly influenced by Modupe Odele, Ms. Uduak Oduok, Julianna Imam, Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, Chijioke Emole and Opeyemi Ojengbede Iredumare.
5. Advice or Guiding Principles for Young Legal Professionals and Advocates Trying to Find their Place and Purpose in the Legal Terrain.
“The first is exposure.” Janet advised that it is very important to expose oneself to global standards for practicing law. Internships are great, but podcasts are almost as handy. Secondly, she admonished being up to date with news in international trade law regardless of the area of law practice. Finally, Janet advised networking horizontally with classmates, including those who may have seemed “off” in school.
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Editorial Team
Silver Obioha
Clinton Nyamongo
Kazeem Afolabi
Dikeledi Matlhagare
Tolulope Olasunkanmi
Sulaimon Badmus
Aya Hamdy
Princess Maake
Jemilat Akerele
Vera Enubianozor
Brandon Otieno
Oluwabusayo Awodele
Kyenpiya Wonang
Gift Nwoke
Jessica Odoh
Tracy Karumba
Mary-Jones Ossi
Halimah Oladunni
Mary Linus
Peter Momoh
Jessica Omoruyi
