#38 UK Legal Podcast: From Nigeria to the UK Building a Global Career in Dispute Resolution with Femi Adeluola

Additional resources mentioned in this episodeAllAboutLaw, the UK’s leading platform for aspiring solicitors. AllAboutLaw runs a series of virtual law career events, including their Virtual Law Fair and skill building workshops designed specifically for future lawyers. These live sessions give you the opportunity to connect with law firms, hear directly from recruiters, and gain practical insights that can strengthen your applications and interview performance.Learn more athttps://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/thelawyerfiles-Dual qualified disputes lawyer Femi Adeluola shares his journey practising law across Nigeria and England and Wales, offering a grounded and insightful look into litigation, arbitration, and international legal careers in this must listen episode of The Lawyer Files.In this episode, I sit down with Femi, a disputes lawyer licensed in both Nigeria and England and Wales, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK. His experience spans courtroom advocacy within a fused legal profession in Nigeria, as well as in house legal work in London, where he advises on disputes, risk, and commercial decision making.Femi’s legal journey began in Nigeria, where acting as both solicitor and barrister gave him early exposure to every stage of the dispute process, from client engagement and case preparation to courtroom advocacy. After qualifying in England and Wales, he brought that experience into a new legal system, developing a dispute resolution approach focused on efficiency, cultural awareness, and resolving matters out of court wherever possible.We also explore the realities of transitioning from private practice to an in house role, including the shift from being an external adviser to becoming a legal and business partner within an organisation. Femi reflects on the importance of maintaining independence and objectivity while supporting commercial goals, and how this balance shapes professional judgment.We talk about✅ Practising within a fused legal system and how early courtroom exposure shapes advocacy✅ The challenges and opportunities of dual qualification across jurisdictions✅ Moving from courtroom advocacy to in house legal work in the UK✅ Why resolving disputes out of court is often the most effective outcome for clients✅ The role of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in modern legal practice✅ Soft skills, adaptability, and cultural awareness in international legal careers✅ Practical advice for aspiring lawyers interested in cross border workWhether you are interested in dispute resolution, arbitration, or building an international legal career, Femi’s story offers clarity, realism, and thoughtful guidance for navigating law across borders.Follow The Lawyer Files on Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.Subscribe at TheLawyerFiles.com for written interviews, legal career guidance, and behind the scenes insights from the next generation of legal professionals.Guest InformationFemi Adeluola on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/femi-adeluola-aciarb-uk-3a062359/Contact and EnquiriesEmail [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/denice-o