Don’t Hold Back – Believe in yourself more

He has held numerous positions of leadership; from House Captain and Vice Head-boy in High School, to his proudest professional achievement yet, becoming Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President. Yet, despite all this evidence of leadership, the confidence that would walk up to various podia and give speeches we all loved to listen to (despite their lengths) wasn’t always present in the person that is Eddie Mwitwa. Well, it wasn’t always present to the critic within. 

With 16 years’ post-bar experience, this Rockstar Advocate is the Managing Partner at Mwenye & Mwitwa Advocates. He took pride in having started his leadership journey as early as Matero Boys Secondary School, and was focused enough to have decided, on the day he got called to the Bar, that he would become LAZ President someday.  

Mr. Mwitwa’s typical day involves being in the office at 2am. This is not surprising for someone who topped both his Law School class with a Merit, as well as his Legal Practitioners Qualifying Exams-ZIALE with seven distinctions. We were however, surprised when he said he hasn’t always been this confident. In fact, his worst fear was that of public speaking. Coupled with a low self esteem, he had his work cut out for him. He learnt early enough though, that the best way to overcome one’s fears is to confront them. He therefore sought opportunities to speak in front of audiences.  

And so in the spirit of passing it on, we asked him to speak to a future LAZ President: 

If it’s what you really want, have the desire and the dream, don’t give up on it. A lot can happen but keep going. I could have done a bit more in learning what the role entails, so get involved with LAZ and other organizations to learn leadership. The role requires a certain level of experience and temperament. Learn to value yourself at an early stage and deal with your struggles. 

Having heard the story of an early inclination to becoming the Law Association President (and because we are passionate about mentorship), we were curious as to what his ideal mentorship relationship looks like. 

My ideal mentorship relationship is one which is not so structured. It’s difficult to find the time to sit and talk, so do away with the structure. Have go-to persons for each area of life, (my wife is my go-to for everything) and reach out to them. There must be some effort on your part. I had purposefully wanted to have a mentorship with State Counsel Musa Mwenye who is now my Partner at the Firm. I was his Associate in my 2nd year of practice and I noticed he was everything I wanted in a mentor- Christian, focused and trusted by the senior members at the Bar, so much that he was allowed by the Legal Practitioners Committee to run a Law Firm even before he clocked the requisite number of years. 

Mr. Mwitwa boasts of a good number of mentees in his eleven years as a Partner at the Firm, and gauges his influence as a possible distant mentor from the number of times he was asked to be Guest of Honour at weddings, during his tenure as Law Association President. 

I have had 10 Associates whom I can say I have had opportunity to mentor. And in my tenure as LAZ President, I was privileged to be Guest of Honour at 4 weddings of lawyers. I can safely say I am mentoring some people within the profession.  

What advice would you give to the Millennial lawyer planning careers with so much uncertainty in these current times?

Uncertainty will always exist at any point. Always know what you want to get out of your career. In every crisis, any troubled time, there are opportunities. Try and stand out; if you survive this period (Covid-19 era), you will survive at every other point. Be focused and do the best you can to be the best version of yourself. 

Book Recommendations   

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. It is an easy read with a profound message because change is constant.

Capitalist Nigger by Chika Onyeani

Redeeming Law: Christian Calling and the Legal Profession by Michael P. Schutt 

Current read:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Movie Recommendation    

Forrest Gump- (Favourite movie)

A Few Good Men (Favourite Lawyer Movie)

Favourite ‘take-my-mind-off-law’ activities:

Used to be a staunch Manchester United Fan. But that became too stressful. Now I don’t even lose sleep over their (read our) losses. 

Gardening. Reading Books. Music. Movies.

On the relationship between one’s faith and the law, should they co-exist, does one take precedence over the other?

I’ll talk about my faith: Christianity must take precedence. Being a lawyer is a calling and the one that calls you is God. He is the ultimate Judge.

The book Redeeming Law re-enforced this for me.

Note to your Younger Self?   

“Believe in yourself and abilities a little more, you can achieve a lot more. That belief informs every decision you make. You are destined for great things. Don’t hold back.“

Let us know which Rockstar Advocates you are inspired by, whose legal journey you’re curious about and we’ll see if we can settle your curiosity.

Edwina