A Nigerian-born lawyer, Chimdinma Nwaigwe (née Odunze), born in Kaduna and educated entirely in Nigeria, has been inaugurated as President of the Leicestershire Law Society, becoming the first Nigerian ever to lead a Law Society anywhere in the United Kingdom.
At just 33, she is also the youngest President in the organisation’s 166-year history.
Chimdinma was born in Kaduna, Nigeria and had her early and tertiary education in Nigeria. A graduate of the University of Abuja, she was part of the national team that represented Nigeria at the M. Brown International Client Consultation and Counselling Competition in 2015 in Nebraska, USA, where Nigeria took second place globally.
This feat earned her a partial scholarship to the Nigerian Law School, where she qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2016. After completing her NYSC in 2017 and practicing briefly, she moved to Leicester, United Kingdom in 2019 to join her husband. She requalified and became a Solicitor of England and Wales in 2020. She lives in England with her husband and their two children and practices as a real estate solicitor.
Leadership in the UK Legal Community
Chimdinma now leads the Leicestershire Law Society, one of the UK’s oldest professional legal bodies with over 800 members and a legacy dating back to 1860. Her historic achievement was recently recognised by the British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF), which honoured her at its Annual Gala Night for breaking new ground for Nigerians in the diaspora. The award was personally presented to her by Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, underscoring the national significance of her appointment and the esteem in which she is held within the wider UK legal profession.
Presidential Plans
Her presidential theme, “No One Left Behind,” focuses on disability inclusion, mental health support, and suicide prevention within the legal profession. Reflecting this commitment, she has chosen two charities for her year: Leicester Samaritans, which provides emotional support and crisis intervention, and Mosaic 1898, an organisation supporting people with disabilities.
Chimdinma has also introduced initiatives to promote mentorship and foster belonging in the Society. In addition, she is building stronger links with the next generation of lawyers through collaborations with De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, and the Leicestershire Junior Lawyers Division.
Speaking at her inauguration, she said:
“Let us walk this journey together, building a Society where wellbeing is a shared value, every voice matters, and our diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated.”
A Moment of National Pride
Chimdinma’s appointment stands as a testament to Nigerian excellence abroad. It underscores the global impact of Nigerian-trained professionals and the strength of the country’s legal education and advocacy tradition.
From Kaduna to Abuja to Leicester, her story is one of resilience, brilliance, national pride, and a continued commitment to uplifting underserved voices in the legal profession.
As she steps into this historic role, she carries with her not only her personal achievements but the hopes of many Nigerians who see in her journey the power of opportunity, representation, and collective progress.