When you see these designers: Gianni Versace, Stefano Ricci, Guccio Gucci, Pierre Cardin, Yohji Yamamoto, Ermenegildo Zegna, Cesare Paciotti, Stefano Gabbana, John Varvatos and Tom Ford, surely your mind will readily race to the fashion label, Zeof and then the enigma behind it, Jideofor.
Twenty-five years ago, a young lawyer's path crossed that of delectable young lady. The interplay of cupid forces would later entangled the two love birds in an inextricable marital journey that have witnessed only pure bliss.
Twenty-five years down the lane, Jideofor and his beautiful better half, Salome, have set an eviable marital example that calls for emulation.
For the man of the moment, his modest rise to success is a study in dexterity, grit-determination to excell and hardwork.
Indeed, the cliche, "a man of many parts" finds expression in High Chief (Barrister) Jideofor Valentine Chukwudebem Ezeofor's life trajectory. Versatility is ingrained in him and this explains the reason a law degree could not sentence him perpetually to courtrooms.
After acquiring a degree in law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife, the mandatory one-year post stint at the Law school and then youth service he was appointed Magistrate in Anambra State Judiciary Awka. He served in the Chief Magistrate Courts Ogidi and Onitsha respectively.
However, in 2005, Jideofor resigned from the Magistracy and veered into private business, establishing a limited liability company, Zeof Corporate Identity LTD as the C.E.O.
He was also at thesame time serving as Legal adviser of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited as well as Legal Adviser to Earls Court Properties LTD and Jacee Properties Ltd and so many other companies.
Zeof was the pestal on which Jideofor morphed from a full time practising lawyer to a fashion designer. Infact, his label is Zeof Excluzioni. Jideofor designs and makes clothes for the top echelon of society.
Jideofor is a goal-getting young man who has carved a niche for himself through the dint of hard work, innovative ideas and honesty.
Effervescent and genial, Jideofor has the presence of mind to recognise that his beautiful wife, Salome completes him and is an integral part of his success story these 25 years hence he is rolling out the drums to celebrate a silver Jubilee of conjugal bliss in grand style.
***
Ingram Osigwe, MD of Full Page International Communications Ltd writes from Akokwa, Imo State, NIgeria.
Robert Half Legal Research Highlights Management Practices Transforming Legal Field
MENLO PARK, CA, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — As the economy regains momentum, it’s not a return to business as usual in the legal field. A just-released industry report from Robert Half Legal outlines how strategies developed during the downturn are now guiding the business and customer relationship management models for law firms and corporate legal departments.
Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal
The report, Best Practices for a New Era in the Legal Profession, is part of Robert Half Legal’s eleventh annual Future Law Office project, which also includes video interviews with leaders in the legal field, and is available at www.futurelawoffice.com.
For its Future Law Office project, Robert Half Legal surveys lawyers from among the largest law firms and corporations in the United States and Canada, interviews leaders in the legal field, conducts research to assess how law offices might operate in the future, and obtains the insights of key Robert Half Legal staffing and recruiting professionals throughout the company’s branch network in North America.
Key Findings
* Firms are playing a more strategic role in their clients’ businesses. As corporate clients seek more return for their investment in legal services, the ability for law firms to address the needs of their clients is essential. A thorough understanding of clients’ businesses and the issues they face, along with flexibility on fees, are forming the cornerstone of many law firms’ new customer service models. * Most law firm revenue growth is expected to stem from current clients. Eighty-five percent of lawyers surveyed said their law firms do not plan to launch new practice groups to increase revenue in the coming year. Eighty-six percent of lawyers said their firms were hoping to obtain more business from existing clients. * Lateral hiring is more prevalent. More lawyers are making lateral career moves as law firms recruit them to bring their expertise and client contacts. Firms also are focusing on retaining top employees who are at risk of being recruited by other law firms looking to broaden their areas of specialization. * New fee structures gaining ground. Law firms are offering clients alternatives to the traditional billable hour. More than half (56 percent) of lawyers surveyed said their clients request flat or fixed fees the most. Volume discounts and discounted fees followed, with each receiving 43 percent of the response. * Compliance, cost-containment taking center stage. The top challenges facing legal departments include “compliance or regulation issues,” “controlling litigation or outside counsel costs,” “increased workloads” and “budget reductions.” Many general counsel are keeping more work in-house and using project teams to control spending on law firms and meet business demands.
Changing Business Models to Improve Service Levels
According to the research, corporate clients are demanding greater efficiencies from their law firms. General counsel are specific about what they are willing to spend on outside counsel and the outcomes they expect. As a result, law firms are implementing new approaches to deliver quality legal services while containing costs to clients. “Many firms are renewing their focus on customer service and capturing new business by showing a willingness to adapt to their clients’ changing needs,” said Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. Law Firms Pursue New Growth Strategies
Law firms increasingly are taking a measured and strategic approach to growth, expanding their client bases through lateral hires and mergers or acquisitions to enhance their service offerings and increase revenue.
“The most successful law firms in this new working order are focusing on improving efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness to their clients,” said Volkert.
Retaining top performers and hiring senior- and partner-level lawyers with client portfolios in high-demand practice areas remains a priority while long-standing practices, such as lockstep pay and the billable hour, are being re-evaluated, the research shows. Corporate Legal Departments Seek Greater Value from Outside Counsel
With compliance, discovery and litigation-related expenses continuing to escalate, general counsel are striving to minimize risk while managing spending on law firms. “To keep costs in check, many corporate legal departments are handling more work in-house and using external project teams assembled for specific case work, along with managed review solutions, in order to gain immediate access to specialized expertise,” Volkert said.
Added Volkert, “Many corporate clients want to partner with outside counsel to find the best approach for legal matters, whether that involves obtaining the firm’s advice on risk management and alternative business strategies, or coming up with creative solutions for resolving issues.”
To download a complimentary copy of the complete report, Best Practices for a New Era in the Legal Profession, watch the video, or find more information about the Future Law Office project, please visit www.futurelawoffice.com.
About Robert Half Legal Robert Half Legal provides law firms and corporate legal departments with project and full-time professionals, including lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel. Robert Half Legal offers online job search services at www.roberthalflegal.com.
# # #
Media Contact: Lisa Hamilton (650) 234-6234 lisa.hamilton@rhi.com
Collaborative forum to direct attention to opportunities for advancements in the trial system and improving public access
DALLAS (Feb. 25, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — The dramatic reduction in the number of civil jury trials in recent years is a wake-up call to anyone interested in preserving a fundamental constitutional right, say planners of the upcoming National Jury Summit in Chicago, June 23-24. One of the most basic rights of Americans is in jeopardy. This is a story that needs to be told.
Themed as “The Jury Trial of the 21st Century,” the National Jury Summit is a call to action that will feature goal oriented sessions on the best practices for jury innovations, reforms to improve access to jury trials, technological advancements in courtroom presentation, and assessment of the public perception of the jury trial.
Numerous studies, including a recent one conducted for ABOTA, have demonstrated that there is overwhelming support for the jury trial among Americans. And yet, there is an alarming downward trend occurring in the nation’s civil courts.
“We intend to make reforms and innovations happen, not just ponder them,” said Harry T. Widmann, president of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the organization sponsoring the Summit.
ABOTA, in collaboration with the National Center for State Courts, has advocated changes that will improve the system’s ongoing quality and relevancy.
“Juries are the backbone of our democracy and are as critical as the right to vote itself,” said Summit Chair Gilbert H. Dickinson of the Denver law firm of Dickinson, Prud'Homme, Adams & Ingram, LLP. “The jury trial not only provides protection to the litigants, it also directly involves our citizens in the judicial branch of government. The declining numbers of jury trials demonstrates the need for innovations that will make the system more effective and efficient. Inaction is not an option.”
Summit speakers were chosen because they have backed up their research with action and are dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the jury trial.
* Federal Judge Mark W. Bennett of the Northern District of Iowa has written extensively about the vanishing jury trial and has been an active proponent of using technology in the courtroom. * Professor Robert P. Burns of Northwestern University is the author of the books, “The Theory of the Trial” and “The Death of the American Trial.” * Daniel J. Hall and Paula L. Hannaford-Agor are from the National Center for State Courts, a clearinghouse for research information and comparative data to support improvement in judicial administration in state courts conducts research on emerging issues. * Justice Rebecca L. Kourlis (retired) is the executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, a national, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the process and culture of the civil justice system. * Professor Nancy S. Marder of the Chicago-Kent College of Law has written and researched a wide range of issues regarding jury innovations.
The National Jury Summit is open to lawyers, judges, legal professionals, and the public. For registration and event information, call (800) 932-2682 or go to www.abota.org.
ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the 7th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Foundation of ABOTA is an affiliated charitable entity, the mission of which is to support the purposes of ABOTA through education and research. ABOTA membership consists of more than 6,400 lawyers and judges spread among 96 Chapters in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. ABOTA publishes Voir Dire magazine, which features in-depth articles on current and historical issues related to the 7th Amendment.
For more information: Brian Tyson (214) 871-7523 briant@abota.org
Chief Abdul-Ganiyu "Gani" Oyesola Fawehinmi, (22 April 1938 - 05 September 2009)
Honorable Gani Fawehinmi was the conscience of Nigeria and there will never be another Gani Fawehinmi again. He and the late Afro beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti were the most outspoken Nigerian human rights activists of the 20th century. As Fela used his music as the instrument and vehicle for the social and political emancipation of the poor masses, Gani used his law to fight for justice and liberty in Nigeria.
For decades Gani risked life to defend the defenseless poor and powerless people of Nigeria and was imprisoned dozens of times for his protests against military dictatorship and injustice. Gani was a fearless and incorruptible prisoner of conscience. Gani was a great man and would be remembered as one of the greatest civil rights leaders of our time.
Nigerians Report hereby proposes that we should have a special day to be celebrated as a Gani Fawehinmi Day in Nigeria.
