The Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frank Davies (Esq.), has urged young lawyers to take advantage of the expanding opportunities within the legal profession, stressing that modern legal practice goes far beyond courtroom litigation.
He made the ccomments during the 2026 Law Students’ Network (LSN) Leadership and Law Series held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the ISSER Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon. The event was held under the theme, “Beyond the Classroom: Winning in Law and Politics”.
He outlined emerging career prospects in both domestic and international legal practice. Mr. Davies noted that developments in various sectors of the global economy have created new and specialised areas of legal practice.
He cited Uganda’s growing oil and gas industry as an example, explaining that the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 2007 has opened up opportunities for lawyers in petroleum law, energy regulation, contract negotiation, and compliance.
He further explained that the rapid expansion of technology and financial technology sectors has also created demand for legal expertise in areas such as data protection, cyber security law, and digital transactions. According to him, these developments reflect a shift in the legal profession that requires continuous adaptation by young lawyers.
Turning his attention to Ghana, Mr. Davies identified private legal practice as one of the most common career paths for lawyers. He explained that lawyers either join established law firms or set up their own practices, with each path offering distinct professional advantages.
He noted that young lawyers who join established firms gain exposure to litigation, corporate advisory services, contract drafting, conveyancing, due diligence processes, and dispute resolution. He added that many law firms in Accra handle complex commercial transactions, including mergers, joint ventures, acquisitions, public-private partnerships, and international investment agreements.
According to him, such environments provide invaluable mentorship and expose young lawyers to sophisticated legal and commercial issues that shape modern practice.
Mr. Davies also highlighted the growing importance of corporate and in-house legal roles. He explained that many companies in Ghana, including banks, telecommunications firms, mining companies, and multinational corporations, now maintain legal departments to manage regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, and corporate governance.
He added that this area of practice offers lawyers the opportunity to engage directly with business strategy and decision-making processes within organisations.
He further mentioned telecommunications companies, mining firms, financial institutions, and multinational corporations operating in Ghana, noting their role in creating structured legal environments for in-house counsel. He, however, reiterated that corporate legal departments across various sectors continue to expand, providing broader employment opportunities for legal professionals.
Mr. Davies also drew attention to opportunities within the public sector, stating that government institutions remain key employers of legal professionals. He listed institutions such as the Attorney General’s Department, Ghana Revenue Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Registrar-General’s Department, Lands Commission, Ghana Immigration Service, and other regulatory bodies.
He explained that lawyers in these institutions play critical roles in policy formulation, legislative drafting, regulatory enforcement, and public sector litigation. He particularly highlighted the Attorney General’s Department, where lawyers represent the state in constitutional, commercial, and international legal matters.
He commended the work of state lawyers involved in handling complex international arbitration cases and public legal affairs, noting their contribution to strengthening Ghana’s legal and institutional framework.
Mr. Davies further identified international organisations and development agencies as emerging areas of opportunity for Ghanaian lawyers. He mentioned institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, African Development Bank, and various international NGOs.
According to him, these organisations require legal professionals to support work in governance, environmental protection, human rights advocacy, and anti-corruption initiatives. He added that Ghanaian lawyers have, over the years, participated in international arbitration tribunals and global policy initiatives, particularly in climate governance and development law.
He urged young lawyers to broaden their horizons, remain adaptable, and position themselves strategically to take advantage of the diverse opportunities within the evolving legal landscape.
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