Nigerian Lawyers Association

NLA

The Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA) was incorporated in 1999 as a not-for-profit, non-partisan association of attorneys and counselors-at-law. While most members are of Nigerian descent, Nigerian citizenship is not a requirement for membership.

NLA represents the interests of attorneys of Nigerian descent both in the United States and all over the world. It advances the professional needs of its growing members and provides leadership and advocacy for the legal needs and interests of the Nigerian community in the United States and around the world.

NLA’s principal objectives are to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, facilitate and advance the fair and equitable administration of justice, serve the needs of the members of the Nigerian legal community, as well as the Nigerian community as a whole, in their understanding and access to the law and to educate and assist such persons in their day to day dealings with the law.

To find out more about our organization, please view our Charter and Constitution.

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What We Do

ANNUAL MERIT AWARD DINNER. We host an annual merit award dinner during which distinguished members of the Nigerian community are presented awards for their excellence in their fields of practice.View a list of our past honorees and keynote speakers. Visit the Photo Gallery under News & Events to see photos of our past dinners.

NIGERIA LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. This program is intended to provide our members based in the United States with an opportunity to intern with participating law firms and other law-related organizations in Nigeria. Learn more and apply.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. This program is intended to provide our law student, LLM and LLB members with a scholarship award based on demonstrated community service, personal financial need and academic merit. Learn more and apply.

NLA JOURNAL. Since its inception, The Nigerian Lawyer, a publication of the NLA, has published papers and commentaries on a variety of legal topics of interest to NLA members and its wider audience. Today, The Nigerian Lawyer is a reference point for professionals seeking illumination on pertinent legal issues of the moment. It enjoys a readership that expands beyond the legal community in the United States and Nigeria to include community leaders, government officials as well as professionals in academia, finance, and medicine. Learn more, view past issues and submit an article.

LEGAL CLINIC. With the help of our member volunteers, we conduct legal clinics during the year at local churches, mosques and community centers. The NLA was recognized for its pro bono legal clinics by being selected as the winner of the 2011 Bar Leaders Innovation Award for Small Bars in New York State. NLA’s pro bono legal clinics were described as “an excellent example of how associations reach out to surrounding communities and provide a needed service.” Read more. To see if there are any upcoming legal clinics, click Event Calendar under News & Events.

NETWORKING EVENTS. We organize and host professional development and networking events to help foster networking and professional development opportunities for our members and other members of the Bar in general.

SPEAKER SERIES. We host symposia and presentations by leading professionals in various fields who present on topics of interest to our members.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION. We offer several continuing legal education seminars/classes approved by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board to our members and other lawyers.

JOBS LISTINGS. We draw on our extensive network to bring members updated listing of available jobs and opportunities to advance their careers.

LEADERSHIP APPRECIATION DINNER. A tradition of hosting an annual leadership appreciation dinner during which members of our Board, Executives and Committees are recognized for their service to the legal community.