WOMAN IN LAW INTERVIEW WITH BOITUMELO MAGOLEGO

On our last interview for the year we chat to Boitumelo Magolego. Boitumelo is a Senior Corporate Legal Adviser with a focus in Legal and Regulatory Advocacy.

It’s been a huge pleasure this year to interview and feature #womeninlaw who didn’t take the practice route. I hope you’ve enjoyed these interviews as much as I have. I hope you’ve learned as much as well!

Below is our interview with this phenomenal  #womaninlaw. Enjoy!

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FWIL:

What inspired you to study law?

BM:

Growing up, most of the inspirational or influential people I had either learnt about in school or world leaders always seemed to have a legal background, that for me was reason enough to want to steer in that direction. Another reason was the fact I had always been very eloquent and firm in how I would address things I was passionate about, family members would always jokingly tell me to pursue law as a career path, and so I did.

FWIL:

Please tell us what inspired you to become an in-house counsel

BM:

I always dreamt of working in corporate, I did not have the excitement that was required to pursue litigation or conveyancing. I saw myself as a General Counsel of reputable institution some day. The exposure I had in practice when completing my articles did not detract from the lack of interest in litigation either.

FWIL:

As a black woman in law, have you experienced gender and race-related bias?

BM:

Yes

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FWIL:

Please tell us about the challenges, if any, that you have faced.

BM:

I completed my articles at a small firm in Pretoria, although I am very grateful for the growth and exposure to different fields of law obtained there, I was faced with the harsh realities of race being a daily challenge in my employment/clerkship at that firm. Candidate attorneys unfortunately have to grovel and endure horrific employment conditions out of desperation for firstly, employment and secondly that their principal attests to and signs the affidavit required for your admission as an attorney. These experiences all fuelled the need to lobby against some of the provisions previously contained in the then Attorneys Act, even if I was no longer in practice.

FWIL:

What does being an alpha female mean to you and would you describe yourself as one?

BM:

An alpha female is a female who stands her ground, firm in her belief, graceful in her demeanour and is not easily shaken, I definitely fill the shoes of this woman, I am an alpha female.

FWIL:

Do you identify as a feminist? (Why/why not)

BM:

I do not identify as feminist, I relate and identify more with liberalism. I do not identify as a feminist because I believe in individual rights and views.

FWIL:

What does women empowerment mean to you?

BM:

Women empowerment for me denotes uplifting women, it means paving the way for those who come after you, creating opportunities, sharing opportunities, encouraging agency, it means, with certainty, doing away with commonly experienced behavioural patterns such as “pull her down syndrome”

FWIL:

The journey of most legal professionals is not always easy. What are some of the lessons you have learned along the way and how have they shaped your outlook on life?

BM:

In an industry where discipline and hard work rules, it is quite easy to lose track your personal contribution to any organisation. The biggest lesson I have had to learn is how to advocate for my value.

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FWIL:

What is the best advice you would give to a woman in law?

BM:

The advice I would give to a woman in law is that she should persevere, despite the challenge of being female in a male-dominated industry and/or being a black at that, there will be times where one would doubt themselves and their potential. Perseverance will be a key quality a young woman in law should possess to achieve their dreams.

FWIL:

What attributes do you think every young lawyer must have?

BM:

Agility, humility, compassion and drive.

FWIL:

What recent change/amendment in the law (in your country/state) has caught your attention? (Do you agree with the change? Why/why not)

BM:

Being in the financial services sector, the Draft Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill has caught my attention. Not only will it promote financial inclusion for previously disadvantaged people. but it will also assist the missing middle grapple with achieving financial freedom by regulating the conduct of financial service providers.

FWIL:

Our world is constantly changing, in your opinion, what are some of the challenges that legal professionals will face in future?

BM:

Not acquainting themselves with the technological advances being brought by 4IR. As legal professional we are used to doing things a certain way, whether it be storing copious amounts of physical agreements in cupboards or requiring physical one on one consultations with clients. These are indicators that we still lack in the efficient use of technology and innovation.

FWIL:

As a legal professional, it is quite important to effectively use your network. How do you meet other professionals and what are some of your effective networking skills?

BM:

As a member of the Legal & Technical Committee of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa and the Pension Lawyers Association we hold various seminars and annual conferences with the attempt to educate ourselves while building our social capital. I have found volunteering myself as a presenter or guest speaker at these seminars encourage communication and networking.

FWIL:

What does the term “role model” mean to you? Is there a particular woman in your life that you consider a role model?

BM:

The term role model for me means having an individual I view as inspirational to the extent that I endeavour to have their attributes. My mother is my role model, she is continuously developing herself, her knowledge and her skills. She is an entrepreneur, she is generous, full of grace and kind. Viewing how many lives she has touched, for me makes me want to be just like her some day.

FWIL:

What books have you read that have greatly influenced your life?

BM:

• “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” – Robin Sharma
• “The Secret” – Rhonda Byrnes
• “Manuscript Found in Accra” Paulo Coelho

FWIL:

What’s a quote that you live by? Your mantra

BM:

“The secret to life is the law of attraction” – Rhonda Byrnes, The Secret

FWIL:

How do you remain autonomous while working in the legal field?

BM:

Autonomy for me is more possible in the legal field than it is in any other field. A legal professional spends a lot of time researching, reading and drafting, what better way to empower individuality than that? You are in charge of your productivity, the pace in which you meet your targets and the wealth of knowledge you acquire,

FWIL:

What is your take on mentorship and are you open to mentoring young lawyers or law students?

BM:

Mentorship is very necessary, there is a shortage of this in the legal fraternity amongst women. We are so busy working hard to climb the corporate ladder that there is not much time to offer a mentee. I am certainly open to mentoring young women.

FWIL:

How can people reach out to you? (social media handles)

BM:

Boitumelo Magolego on Linkedin and Facebook

Tumi_leeroy on Instagram