By Ayo Onikoyi

Mayowa Gbenro, a determined and ambitious lawyer, has overcome numerous obstacles to achieve his dream of becoming a licensed attorney in the United States.

Despite the challenges, Gbenro persevered and successfully passed the Colorado Bar Exam, making him eligible to practice law in any UBE jurisdiction in the US.

Gbenro’s journey began in 2012 while attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, where a guest speaker told his class of about 1500 students something that resonated with him: “You can sit for the bar exam in the U.S. and be qualified to practice as an attorney.”

This statement ignited two dreams: to obtain an LL.M. in the U.S. and qualify as an attorney there. But how?

Fast forward to November 2013, Gbenro was admitted to the Nigerian Bar and, thereafter, joined Afe Babalola and Co. in 2014 where he cut his legal teeth. Regardless, his dream of being an attorney in the U.S. never wavered.

In 2022, he discovered the University of Denver – Sturm College of Law’s International Business Transactions program, which perfectly aligned with his career aspirations. He applied, got admitted, and started in August 2022.

Those first few weeks felt like being a fish out of water—it had been a decade since he was last in a classroom! But thanks to the exceptional faculty and staff of the institution, he quickly found his footing.

By December 2023, Gbenro achieved his first dream: earning his LL.M. in International Business Transactions! On to the second dream—becoming an attorney! With uncertainty and a tight two-month prep window, he registered for the February 2024 Bar Exams. Despite the challenges—enormous workload, not attending a JD program, and a limited prep time—he persevered. To God’s glory, he passed the Bar exams. He took the Oath of Admission to the Colorado Bar on June 3rd, 2024, finally realizing his second dream!

“I am grateful for the incredible support system that helped me achieve my dreams,” said Gbenro. “I am excited to continue my legal career in the United States and look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

Gbenro’s achievement serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that with persistence and dedication, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

“I came, I saw, I’m conquering!” Gbenro exclaimed, reflecting on his journey.” These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of so many incredible people, including his family, friends, spiritual fathers, professors, and mentors. While thanking everyone for being part of his incredible journey, he desires to take on even bigger dreams