Kofo Shittu

Trainee Advocate

Developing a commercial and civil litigation practice.

Kofo is a Trainee Advocate undertaking Articles with Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd and developing a particular interest in commercial and civil litigation.

She joined Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd with previous experience in financial litigation, projects, infrastructure and construction work and the Isle of Man corporate services sector.

Within her first year of Articles, Kofo passed the Manx Bar examinations at the first attempt, as well as passing her MSc in Criminology and Criminal Psychology.

Her training combines broad exposure to Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd’s contentious practice with increasing responsibility in the commercial and civil work in which her future practice is expected to develop.

Specialist direction. Broad foundations.

Commercial & civil litigation

Kofo works principally with Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd’s commercial and civil litigation team.

She assists with the analysis of evidence, legal research, preparation of proceedings and the practical management of live litigation.

As her experience develops, so does the level of responsibility she assumes and Kofo has her own case load of personal injury, estate dispute and breach of contract matters.

Commercial experience before ASTU

Kofo brings useful experience from before her Articles.

Her earlier career included financial litigation before moving into projects, infrastructure and construction work, where she progressed to Senior Paralegal.

Following her move to the Isle of Man, she also gained experience within the trust and corporate service provider sector.

That background means she has encountered commercial and regulated business environments from several perspectives before developing her Manx litigation practice.

Broad contentious training

Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd does not believe a developing specialism should come at the expense of understanding the wider practice. Kofo therefore gains exposure to matters outside her principal commercial and civil focus, including regulatory, criminal and family work where appropriate.

That breadth matters. Commercial disputes can develop regulatory consequences. Civil litigation may involve allegations of fraud. Employment issues can become commercial disputes.

Understanding the wider context makes for a better litigator.

Advocacy & development

Kofo’s training is based around live cases and practical responsibility. She works with clients, evidence, court documents and proceedings while being supervised by experienced Advocates.

Passing the Manx Bar examinations is an important stage in becoming an Advocate. It is not the end of the training.

The next stage is learning how to apply that knowledge to real problems for real clients.

Real cases. Real responsibility. Proper support.