“Competence is key”- Lincoln Majogo
Lincoln Majogo is a versatile legal practitioner practicing law as an Associate at Mtetwa & Nyambirai Legal Practitioners. He is the youngest and current Chairperson of the Catholic Lawyers Association in Zimbabwe, as well as the Vice President of Membership for JCI Capital, Zimbabwe. A published author of The Art of the Moot, Legal Reasoning and Effective Court Advocacy, Lincoln is the 2024 JCI World Champion of Public Speaking, a rare feat that was last achieved by a Zimbabwean in 2007. Lincoln holds several distinguished accolades, including the winner of the 2020 Lex-Lead Essay Competition, winner of the 2021 ICRC National Essay Competition, Best Oralist-Transparency International, 2023 JCI Capital Most Outstanding Member, and 2023 Most Outstanding Team Member (Mhishi Nkomo Legal Practice), amongst others. Lincoln is a registered legal practitioner, notary public, and conveyancer with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Degree (2021) and is currently completing a Master of Laws (LLM) in Land and Natural Resource Governance with the University of Zimbabwe. He is an avid writer and reader, and his writings can be found online and some on lincolnmajogo.blogspot.com. His primary interest lies in utilising the law to positively impact the lives of clients, society, and the world.
1. The Driving Force for Choosing the Legal Profession.
Lincoln’s journey to law school sounds miraculous as the word itself. An avid reader and writer, the spark for law school is intertwined in his passion for Arts subjects/activities such as history, literature, Shona, Geography, Debate, and Public Speaking. Having spent considerable time debating with friends and teachers at Visitation Makumbi High School, Lincoln’s passion for law was originally sparked by a deep desire for intellectual curiosity, the ability to persuade others, and the feeling of “nobility” that existed for being a lawyer, especially in the communities in which he grew in. Since then, his passion for law lies in the deep belief that legal advocacy is a powerful tool to persuade relevant stakeholders to accede to change, especially where it positively impacts clients, communities, and the world. Lincoln believes in shaping what the law must be and not what it is, and his passion lies in written and oral advocacy, tools that have proved indispensable in legal reform, community development, and societal enrichment in Zimbabwe and beyond. A leader by nature, an author of the “Art of the Moot, Legal Reasoning and Effective Court Advocacy”, Lincoln continued to invest in the future of young people by providing the tools that help sharpen their advocacy skills in law school.
2. Qualities of an Exceptional Lawyer and How Young Professionals Can Cultivate Such Attributes.
Soft Skills are an indispensable key for young lawyers. Soft skills speak to several principles, including empathy, likeable personality, adaptability, integrity, etc, and these can be cultivated through intentionality. One must want to have these skills, write them down, and then research how best these skills can be cultivated. Lincoln’s strategy was in volunteering, and whilst engaging with people, he made friends who developed a soft spot for him and were able to assist him with opportunities to develop these skills.
Competence is key. Just like what former President Barack Obama once remarked, one must be able to get the job done. Young lawyers must understand what the client wants. As one of his mentors once said, If the client wants to recover a debt of US$500, speaking Latin maxims and having an order that doesn’t help the client get back that $500. Therefore, whatever one does, it must result in the client having that $500, at a minimum cost and great speed. So, whatever field one is in, Lincoln believes that competence is a key skill.
Continuous learning-Lawyers are called nowadays to be more than just lawyers. They are required to be advisors and to understand how they can add value to their clients’ businesses. This entails that lawyers must no longer just invest in the “result” but in constantly finding ways to assist the client to increase its value, and this can be achieved by cultivating strong relationships with clients.
Leadership and communication skills-Lawyers are trusted personnel who are constantly called to serve on boards and key positions in society. One must therefore be prepared by having the necessary leadership and communication skills that bring value to the organization that a lawyer has been appointed to serve. Leadership and communication skills can be cultivated through intentionality, eg, joining organizations that offer leadership development opportunities such as JCI, Toastmasters, etc.
3. Significant Ongoing Project or Initiatives and Possible Impacts.
As Chairperson of the Catholic Lawyers Guild in Zimbabwe and Vice President of Membership, JCI Capital, Lincoln is involved in initiatives such as the inaugural Legal Aid Clinics, which are free legal services that are given to communities, given the realities that most who desire legal services cannot afford the costs of engaging. This is a ground-breaking initiative that has helped hundreds of communities access justice and legal services for free.
4. Role Models and Impactful Books
In his journey, Lincoln has derived inspiration from the story and life of Barack Obama, a lawyer who ventured into politics and became the first African American president in a country where very few considered it possible for a black man to be president. He is also inspired by eminent judges and legal minds such as the late Chief Justice Enoch Dumbutshena, the late Lord Denning, and Advocate Adrian de Bourbon. Currently, he is mining rich insights from Loyd Mhishi’s book called “Being the Best Lawyer” and the Bible.
5. Advice or Guiding Principles for Young Legal Professionals and Advocates Trying to Find their Place and Purpose in the Legal Terrain.
- Take Initiative – When one gets to a new place, they must try to understand areas of improvement and what they can do to be useful and to add value. It could be writing articles, volunteering with research, or holding a senior’s bag when going to court. One shouldn’t wait to be given a task; they must make it a priority to search for tasks and to politely demand tasks.
- Enthusiasm and positive attitude – One must have interest, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude. This inevitably opens the mind to fresh and unique perspectives, and in doing so, one is seen as a person of value.
- Hard work – Priority must be given to completing tasks and not clocking the time. If a task has a deadline, one must do everything possible to meet the deadline or even deliver before the deadline. This may involve working weekends or after hours without financial benefit, but it’s necessary and worthwhile.
- Upskill – Learn ways in which you can improve your skills and be better. That’s the only way one remains relevant and above the average!
- Patience – The reality is that the financial reward is not as quick as one expects it, and the process of achieving that reward requires patience without losing the enthusiasm and desire for the law.
Above all, as you work towards your goal, believe that you can achieve it, trust that you can overcome the obstacles, and have faith that you will triumph. Godspeed!
Click here to read our previous Millennial, Ruth Muhawe
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
Mr Majogo’s zeal is unparalleled…evoking envy even from the very concept of zeal itself. This humble observation from my high school days reflects his successful portfolio which is merely a glimpse of the immense potential and vibrant energy one experiences in his presence.