“Why are you in law school? What do you intend to do with the law?”
These two thought-provoking questions set the tone for an insightful mentorship session organised by the Budding Lawyers Network (BLN), featuring the remarkable Nana Danquah Adjei Domson, Esq., as its second guest speaker for October 2026.
Speaking on the theme “The Esquire Factory: A First-Year Guide to Law School,” Counsel Domson challenged aspiring lawyers and law students to look beyond academic qualifications and intentionally develop the intellectual, professional, and leadership competencies required to thrive in the legal profession.
The session was not merely about surviving law school. It was about understanding the process of becoming a lawyer who is competent, relevant, innovative, and capable of making a meaningful contribution to society.
Finding Your Why: The Foundation of Legal Excellence
Counsel Domson began by challenging participants to reflect on their motivations for pursuing legal education.
Why are you in law school? What problems do you hope to solve with your legal knowledge? What contribution do you intend to make to society?
He emphasised that understanding one's why provides the foundation for discovering purpose, maintaining discipline, and navigating the inevitable challenges of legal education.
Addressing the growing public debate about Ghana producing too many lawyers, particularly arguments that the country needs more engineers and other technical professionals, he offered a broader perspective.
Law transcends virtually every aspect of human and social existence.
From engineering, medicine, business, and technology to governance, international relations, environmental protection, and human rights, legal systems provide the frameworks within which societies operate.
The challenge, therefore, is not simply how many lawyers Ghana produces, but how effectively those lawyers are prepared to respond to society's evolving needs.
The Four Essential Factory Tools Every Law Student Must Master
Drawing on the concept of an Esquire Factory, Counsel Domson identified four indispensable tools that every aspiring lawyer must deliberately develop:
1. Reading
2. Thinking
3. Writing
4. Speaking
Just as a factory requires the right tools to produce quality products, law school requires the disciplined development of these four competencies to produce capable legal professionals.
1. Reading: The Lifeblood of Legal Education
According to Counsel Domson, reading and law are inseparable.
However, reading legal materials requires a different approach from reading a novel or ordinary literature.
“Read the law with a structure in mind.”
He encouraged students to approach legal reading strategically, analytically, and purposefully.
When reading statutes, students must avoid isolating provisions without considering the broader legislative framework. Understanding the relationship between sections, definitions, exceptions, and the overall purpose of an enactment is essential.
For textbooks, students should begin by previewing the table of contents, chapter headings, and relevant sections to understand the structure of the material before engaging in detailed reading.
Similarly, when approaching academic articles, students should first examine the thesis, abstract, or central argument to determine the relevance of the material to their research.
The central lesson was clear: effective legal reading is not about how many pages one covers, but how deeply one understands, connects, and applies the information.
2. Thinking: Moving Beyond Traditional Legal Analysis
Legal education is designed not only to impart knowledge but also to transform how students reason.
Counsel Domson introduced participants to the traditional legal problem-solving framework, AIRACA:
• A — Area of Law: Identify the relevant field of law.
• I — Issues: Determine the legal questions arising from the facts.
• R — Rules: Identify applicable legal principles, statutes, and judicial authorities.
• A — Application/Analysis: Apply the relevant law to the facts.
• C — Conclusion: Reach a reasoned legal conclusion.
• A — Advice: Provide appropriate legal advice where required.
While acknowledging the importance of structured legal reasoning, he encouraged students to move beyond conventional frameworks by incorporating public policy analysis into their thinking.
This advanced approach requires students to examine not only what the law says, but also how legal decisions and policies affect communities, institutions, economies, and society at large.
He further introduced the Six Thinking Hats, a decision-making framework developed by Edward de Bono, as a valuable tool for broadening perspectives.
Each hat represents a distinct mode of thinking:
• White Hat — Facts and Evidence: What information is available, and what is missing?
• Red Hat — Emotions and Intuition: What are the emotional and instinctive responses to the issue?
• Black Hat — Risks and Caution: What could go wrong, and what are the potential weaknesses?
• Yellow Hat — Benefits and Optimism: What opportunities and positive outcomes exist?
• Green Hat — Creativity and Innovation: What alternative solutions can be developed?
• Blue Hat — Organisation and Control: How should the thinking process be structured and managed?
For law students, this approach offers an opportunity to develop balanced judgment, creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to evaluate complex issues from multiple perspectives.
3. Writing: The Lawyer's Battle Axe
“Writing is the lawyer's battle axe.”
This powerful expression captured Counsel Domson's emphasis on effective legal communication.
He explained that the strength of a lawyer's argument is not measured by the complexity of the vocabulary employed but by the clarity, precision, and persuasiveness of the ideas communicated.
He encouraged students to embrace plain English, avoid the unnecessary use of legal jargon, and develop the ability to explain complex legal principles in language that ordinary people can understand.
After all, legal knowledge becomes more impactful when it is accessible to those it is intended to serve.
To improve their writing, participants were encouraged to study well-reasoned judicial judgments, identify effective writing styles, and practise consistently.
One particularly practical recommendation was to dedicate 15 minutes daily to journaling, reflecting on personal experiences, observations, and lessons from the day.
This simple habit, he explained, can improve fluency, organisation of thought, and confidence in written expression.
4. Speaking: Finding Your Voice as a Future Lawyer
Beyond reading, thinking, and writing, the ability to communicate confidently and persuasively remains indispensable to legal practice.
Whether addressing a courtroom, participating in negotiations, presenting legal arguments, engaging policymakers, or educating communities, lawyers must learn to articulate their ideas with clarity and conviction.
Developing strong speaking skills requires consistent practice, active participation in discussions, public speaking opportunities, and the courage to express well-reasoned opinions.
The broader message was that legal competence must be matched with the ability to communicate that competence effectively.
Beyond the Classroom: Leadership as a Training Ground
One of the most compelling aspects of the mentorship session was Counsel Domson's call for law students to embrace leadership opportunities early.
He challenged participants to take up responsibilities within their universities, student associations, communities, and professional networks.
Leadership, he explained, provides an environment in which individuals can develop judgment, manage people, confront challenges, make mistakes, and learn valuable lessons before assuming greater responsibilities.
He further encouraged participants to develop a global outlook.
Ghana needs legal professionals who can contribute meaningfully beyond national borders, including within institutions such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international organisations.
However, global relevance begins with local preparation.
Students must therefore cultivate leadership, diplomacy, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while they still have opportunities to learn and grow.
Artificial Intelligence: Preparing for the Future of Legal Practice
Recognising the rapid transformation of the professional landscape, Counsel Domson urged aspiring lawyers to become technologically competent, particularly in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
As AI increasingly influences legal research, document review, drafting, compliance, and other professional activities, law students must position themselves to understand and responsibly utilise emerging technologies.
Rather than viewing AI solely as a threat to the legal profession, he encouraged participants to see it as an opportunity to enhance productivity, innovation, and professional relevance.
The emphasis was on becoming legal professionals who can combine sound legal reasoning with technological competence, ethical judgment, and human insight.
Start Solving Problems Now
Perhaps one of the most practical lessons from the session was the reminder that students do not have to wait until they are called to the Bar before making meaningful contributions to society.
Every community presents challenges that require critical thinking, advocacy, leadership, and innovative solutions.
By identifying problems within their immediate environments and taking deliberate steps to address them, law students can begin developing the mindset and competencies of effective legal professionals.
Greatness is not simply a destination to be reached after graduation. It is a standard that must be cultivated through daily habits, intentional preparation, and consistent action.
The Budding Lawyers Network Commitment
The October mentorship session reaffirmed the vision of Budding Lawyers Network: to create a platform where aspiring lawyers and law students are groomed through mentorship, professional exposure, and practical learning opportunities.
Founded on the principles of Discipline, Integrity, and Excellence, the Network continues to connect emerging legal minds with experienced professionals who are willing to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights.
Counsel Nana Danquah Adjei Domson's return as a guest speaker was particularly meaningful, considering his historic role as the Network's inaugural speaker.
His willingness to continue investing in the development of future legal professionals reflects the importance of mentorship in building a stronger and more purposeful legal community.
Conclusion: The Making of an Esquire Begins Today
The Esquire Factory was more than a mentorship topic. It was a reminder that the making of a lawyer begins long before the ceremonial call to the Bar.
It begins with the discipline to read, the courage to think critically, the commitment to write clearly, and the confidence to speak purposefully.
It grows through leadership, innovation, technological awareness, and a willingness to solve problems that matter.
Above all, it begins with understanding one's purpose.
As the session concluded, one message remained unmistakable:
Do not merely pass through law school. Allow law school to refine your mind, strengthen your character, sharpen your skills, and prepare you to serve humanity.
The world does not simply need more people with law degrees. It needs competent, ethical, forward-thinking, and solution-oriented legal professionals.
And that transformation begins now.
Meet the Speaker: Nana Danquah Adjei Domson, Esq.
Hailing from Breman Asikuma in Ghana's Central Region, Nana Danquah Adjei Domson, Esq., represents a remarkable story of youthful ambition, academic excellence, discipline, and determination.
Having distinguished himself academically with First Class Honours, he went on to achieve the extraordinary milestone of being called to the Ghana Bar at just 21 years old.
His journey demonstrates that excellence is not necessarily a function of age but a product of preparation, consistency, sacrifice, and purposeful ambition.
Counsel Domson also holds a special place in the history of Budding Lawyers Network, having been the very first legal professional to honour the Network's invitation as a guest speaker.
His return for the October mentorship series was therefore both significant and inspiring, reaffirming his commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals.
BUDDING LAWYERS NETWORK
Where Legal Grooming Meets Discipline, Integrity & Excellence.