“Carve out your path by setting goals and following through, no matter what your peers are seemingly achieving. Your success is measured by achieving your own goals.” – Olebile Daphney Muzila
Olebile Daphney Muzila is a Partner at Bookbinder Business Law, practicing commercial litigation. She is an adjunct lecturer of law at the University of Botswana and an Independent Non-Executive Director at Export Credit Insurance and Guarantee Company (BECI). She is also a legal advisor at the Chats Bua Lenna Foundation (an NGO that offers support to GBV victims and survivors). She holds an LLM and LLB from the University of Botswana. She also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management, and a Certificate in Finance for Non-financial managers (from the Botswana Accountancy College). She has just completed her MBA at the International University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
1. The Driving Force for Choosing the Legal Profession.
A number of things have influenced Olebile’s choice of the legal profession.
- Her love for literature – Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night remains one of her favourite pieces of literature. She believes that pleadings and judgments must be well written and be fun to read.
- Oratory speeches – She has always loved debates, critical thinking and logical arguments. She was a debater throughout Junior High to University. So, she knew she would make persuasive arguments in court.
- Justice – She has always thought that justice must prevail and believes in speaking out against what is not right.
- Drama – one of the illusions she had was that court would be dramatic and she would be smack in the middle of the drama as an attorney or advocate as depicted in John Grisham’s novels. She thought she could waltz in with a surprise witness to give evidence against her opponent. In his mind she would live out her secret passion as a thespian. Alas! Court is not dramatic. It is still close enough to the drama that keeps her away from the purgatory of the mundane.
2. Qualities of an Exceptional Lawyer and How Young Professionals Can Cultivate Such Attributes.
While there are many attributes of a good lawyer such as attention to detail and hardwork, there are two that stand out for Olebile.
- Energy – nothing beats passion for what you do. Love what you do, be invested in it. Treat it as a privilege rather than work. For that reason, energy to keep moving forward is a key attribute. It empowers every other attribute.
- Malleability/Adaptability – learning is a great part of being a great lawyer. “A lawyer who is not open-minded enough to learn new laws, new skills, new subjects (outside of the law) is doomed”, in Olebile’s view. They cannot see the client’s vision beyond the law and its technicalities. An exceptional lawyer must possess a teachable spirit, adaptability and malleability to meet the ever-changing legal and socio-economic environment.
3. Significant Ongoing Project or Initiatives and Possible Impacts.
Olebile has enrolled in training to become an ESG Advisor. Sustainability has become the buzz word worldwide and developed countries are already ahead of the curve in integrating sustainability in governance frameworks. There has even been some litigation on ESG. ESG must be a strategic framework included in clients’ long-term goals. Olebile intends to build expertise in ESG to meet the demands for an ESG practice.
4. Role Models and Impactful Books
Olebile has been influenced by Lord Denning – the greatest English Judge of all times, in her view. Her favourite characteristic of Lord Denning is logic and common sense! That was most probably influenced by his mathematics degree. The manner in which he approached matters was methodical and meticulous. She thoroughly enjoys his judgements. Other people who have influenced her journey are Justice Dingake, a Botswana native who sits as a judge of the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea. He has written brilliant books and is simply an inspiration to many attorneys in Botswana. Justice Garekwe is a judge in the court of appeal of Botswana. She emerged as one of the strongest female judges in Botswana. She remains an inspiration to her particularly because Olebile wants to become a Judge of the commercial court division in Botswana and eventually sit in the London Court of International Arbitration.
A book that has shaped Olebile’s thoughts and perspectives would be, “The end of Lawyers” by Richard Susskind. It’s a great book on strategic approach to the practice and business of law. Another book that influenced her perspectives is by Mary Portas titled “”Work like a woman”. It shaped her thoughts around being a leader and using her feminine strengths in leadership.
5. Advice or Guiding Principles for Young Legal Professionals and Advocates Trying to Find their Place and Purpose in the Legal Terrain.
On 03 December 2025, Olebile celebrated 10 years since her admission to the bar. She shared 10 lessons that she has learnt over the years, and she thinks that they are useful for young legal professionals:
- Learning never stops: The humility to know that you do not know is key to learning. Keep an open and malleable attitude towards learning.
- Discipline and composure: There are days you will feel weary and annoyed. Put in the work no matter what!
- Win or Lose: There are more lessons from rock bottom than from the peak of the hill.
- Adversity quotient: How you bounce back and deal with adversity in an adversarial system, in which there will be twists, turns, hoops and mountains, determines who and what you are.
- Your path: The trajectory of your career is determined by you. You will become as great as your dominant aspiration and as small as your controlling desire.
- Success: Carve out your path by setting goals and following through, no matter what your peers are seemingly achieving. Your success is measured by achieving your own goals.
- Growth: Give yourself permission to grow, to change your opinions, to transform.
- Energy: That boundless enthusiasm and commitment may seem like madness but in reality, it pays.
- Balance: There is a time for everything – sometimes you have to be a little ruthless, sometimes graceful and sometimes agnostic.
- Add a little flare to your practice by being yourself: if you love literature, do not let your submissions become a bore. if you are a good actress, play the best lawyer.
Click here to read our previous Millennial, Dawit Kidane
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
