“Legal practice is a marathon”- Derrick Kizito Kunyiga
Derrick Kizito Kunyiga is a U.S. and Uganda trained disputes resolutions lawyer and an Associate in the Disputes Resolution Team at MMAKS Advocates and previously worked with a leading international arbitration boutique firm in its London office. Derrick holds a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree in International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration from New York University (NYU), New York, USA, where he was a Deans Merit Scholar; a Second Upper Class Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; and a First-Class Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, Kampala Uganda where he was a recipient of the Chief Justice Award as the best graduating student on the Bar Course.
Derrick has advised and represented various clients such as, the Central Bank of Uganda, leading commercial banks, technology firms, Government Parastatals, and Governments in high-stake disputes across varying industries areas such as construction, intellectual properties, technology, finance, mining, and energy, before international arbitral tribunals and the Courts in Uganda. He has experience representing clients in arbitration proceedings conducted under ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID, and LCIA Rules and has expertise in project finance, tax, data protection, business and human rights, and litigation finance and routinely advises on these at the firm.
Derrick is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and various other international arbitration associations.
1. The Driving Force for Choosing the Legal Profession.
As the saying goes, charity begins at home. Derrick’s passion for the legal profession was ignited through his interaction with a close aunt. She was the first lawyer he ever met and was fascinated by the huge books (he later came to learn that these were statutes and not as big as his young mind had made him believe back then) in her library, her special neck tie (came to learn those were flaps) that she wore on some days and yes, and had a fancy office. So, he wanted everything she had. As the years went by and interacted with her more, he learnt more about the work she does through her various roles in the tax administration body, to becoming a leading environmental lawyer and recently to the bench. She often spoke about using the law not as a tool of oppression but rather a tool to ensure justice and equity. These talks were often dotted with lived examples of cases she had been engaged in. This drew him closer to the profession and ignited his passion. It is that urge to use the law as a tool to pursue justice for the most trodden person that pushed him to pursue the legal profession.
Derricks knows many will wonder if he has been able to achieve that satisfaction given his practice now leans more towards the commercial aspects. He believes so, as commercial parties like any other person deserve justice and equity. Additionally, that urge to use the law as a means for justice and equity is something he brings to very negotiation and case he handles.
Derrick is naturally an intellectually curious person. He is easily bored by routine things. The law has thus been a fulfilling pursuit for him because he gets to interact with different industries, learn something new and deal with different areas of the law. Currently his interests include international arbitration, banking and finance, business and human rights and litigation finance.
2. Qualities of an Exceptional Lawyer and How Young Professionals Can Cultivate Such Attributes.
With the advent of AI and the increased use of the internet, today’s clients have all the information they need at their fingertips to address the legal issue they are facing. Therefore, they are not looking for a lawyer who will regurgitate that information but one that breaks down that information and offers a practical remedy while keeping within the permissible legal limits. It is not enough that as a lawyer, you are able to identify all legal problems in a case or transaction, the client has probably identified those too and thus why they have approached you. They are looking for a solution.
Against this backdrop, Derrick thinks one of the most important qualities of an exceptional lawyer is the ability to be solution oriented. He also, thinks other necessary qualities that define an exceptional lawyer are adaptability, intellectual curiosity, honesty and hard work. “Legal practice is demanding with often pressing deadlines, as a young lawyer, you must be able to match that pace which calls for hard work. Make no mistake, hard work does not equate to long hours but consistently showing up when you are required to. As a young lawyer, you need to be intellectually curios, explore new areas of law. Often, by becoming an expert in an emerging area of law relevant to your firm or organisation, you can accelerate your career growth whether in a law firm or an organisation because of that expertise.”
3. Significant Ongoing Project or Initiatives and Possible Impacts.
Derrick is looking to be part of efforts to push for legislative reforms in Uganda to legalise third-party litigation funding. He believes legalising third-party litigation funding will foster access to justice in Uganda while also ensuring that lawyers are adequately renumerated. Currently, third-party funding is barred in Uganda under the common law principles of champerty and maintenance. This hinders access to justice for indigent persons with meritorious claims who unless are supported by legal aid clinics, which due to donor cuts are currently under funded, or lawyers entering into contingency fee arrangements, which are legal, the indigent persons are left without recourse.
4. Role Models and Impactful Books
Derrick can hardly list all legal minds that have profoundly influenced his journey. But a couple come to mind, for example, Her Lordship Christine Echookit Akello, Mr. Timothy Masembe, Mr. Adriko J. Moses SC., Dr. Nakayi Rose, Mr. John Fellas, Mr. Batanda Gerald, and Dr. Daniel Ruhweza. The list is long. However, each of these has influenced either his choice to pursue the legal career, taken a chance on him, taught him the ropes of legal practice and encouraged him to be a better lawyer.
Derrick is currently re-reading “The Art of Cross-Examination” by Francis L. Wellman. It was gift he received from a dear friend on one of his recent birthdays. As a dispute resolution lawyer, he believes one of the greatest weapons in one’s arsenal is a good cross examination. “It always brings you closer to the truth and the book blends practical lessons with amazing legal cases (stories).”
5. Advice or Guiding Principles for Young Legal Professionals and Advocates Trying to Find their Place and Purpose in the Legal Terrain.
Derrick summarised, “Legal practice is a marathon”. Plan for the long haul. Have short, mid and long-term goals of where you want to be and what you want to achieve. Importantly bet on yourself and pursue knowledge and expertise, it always pays off. It does not have be a Masters degree, it can be something as a simple as a free online course. Start with those and as you grow in areas of expertise you have chosen, opportunities will come by. Be flexible, as young professional, you can explore different areas, use that opportunity to try out many areas until you find that one or two or three that excite you and pursue then diligently. Remember, it is of no help to be an expert and not be known, therefore, use all the available channels to ensure that people out there know you are an expert in something. Take on speaking engagements, network when the opportunity comes up, attend conferences, and use tools such LinkedIn to get the information out there.”
Click here to read our previous Millennial, Grace Wambura
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
