“Correct, Don’t Humiliate!”: Chief Ozoani SAN Challenges Senior Lawyers on How Workplace Bullying Is Destroying Young Lawyers’ Confidence and Wellbeing
Former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association National Welfare Committee, Chief Emeka Ozoani, SAN, has warned that humiliation, intimidation and harassment in legal workplaces can undermine lawyers’ confidence, professional development and overall wellbeing.
The Senior Advocate made the observation while delivering his keynote address, “Beyond the Wig: Mental Health and Fitness,” at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Welfare Conference 2026.
Ozoani acknowledged that legal practice is naturally hierarchical and that senior lawyers have important responsibilities in providing direction, supervision and mentorship.
However, he cautioned that the exercise of authority through constant criticism, humiliation, intimidation or harassment can transform a workplace that should promote professional development into a source of distress.
According to him, a lawyer who is perpetually afraid of making mistakes or failing to meet changing expectations may gradually lose confidence, become reluctant to ask questions and avoid seeking assistance.
Such an environment, he explained, can encourage lawyers to work out of fear rather than genuine professional commitment.
The Senior Advocate stressed that maintaining high professional standards does not require compromising the dignity of lawyers.
“This does not mean that lawyers should not be held to high standards,” he explained, noting that the profession requires discipline, accountability and excellence.
“But there is a difference between correcting a lawyer and humiliating one, and between demanding excellence and creating fear.”
Ozoani urged senior lawyers and professional leaders to examine not only whether work is completed but also the manner in which members of their teams are managed.
He said a strong legal workplace should demand excellence while preserving the dignity, confidence and wellbeing of the lawyers responsible for delivering it.
He called for respectful professional communication, constructive correction and effective mentorship, particularly for young lawyers who require guidance as they develop their competence.
According to him, young practitioners should be able to seek clarification, discuss professional difficulties and receive regular feedback without fear of humiliation.
He also urged law firms and chambers to adopt leadership practices that promote professionalism, respect, balance and openness.
The Senior Advocate maintained that effective leadership must combine accountability with a genuine concern for the people working within an organization.
His position reinforces the importance of distinguishing between legitimate professional discipline and conduct that unnecessarily damages confidence or creates a hostile working environment.
Ozoani said the objective should not be to remove the demands of legal practice but to manage those demands responsibly, ensuring that the pursuit of excellence does not come at the expense of lawyers’ dignity and wellbeing.
