Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, of Uganda's Court of Appeal, urged young lawyers to adapt their skills to the modern legal landscape, emphasizing the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
In a keynote address at the Young Lawyers' Symposium organized by the Uganda Law Society, Justice Kiryabwire stressed the need for young lawyers to become well-versed in ADR methods. "If you don't understand ADR, you're at a disadvantage," he declared, encouraging them to learn and embrace this contemporary approach.
Justice Kiryabwire also highlighted the integration of technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) into legal practice, urging young lawyers to stay current with these trends.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Bernard Oundo, acknowledged the challenges faced by young lawyers and pledged the ULS's commitment to providing support. The symposium offered a platform for knowledge sharing and brainstorming solutions to improve the professional development and practice of young lawyers.
Senior lawyers served as mentors, providing guidance and answering questions from the attendees who participated both physically and online. Phiona Magona, a partner at MMAKS Advocates and one of the panelists, emphasized the importance of building trust with clients and being a resourceful advocate .
This symposium comes amidst recent social media discussions on declining morale and exploitation among young lawyers within law firms. By promoting ADR and technological literacy, the ULS is equipping young lawyers with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving legal profession.