If all goes according to plan, this country’s newest attorneys will be practising in several different areas of law, if a sampling of interests expressed by some of the 50 called to the Bar yesterday is anything to go by.
It should be no surprise that Shadia Simpson is about to embark on a law career since it amounts to the fulfilment of a childhood dream. “Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be an attorney,” she said.
The daughter of Marlene Simpson, Shadia said her motivation was the desire “to represent people and to be a part of the justice system”.
Shadia Simpson
Andre Sealy, on the other hand, never thought he would end up becoming a lawyer.
“It was never really Law for me; I wanted to be a pilot but then Physics and I didn’t have a good relationship so I chose the next best thing,” said the former Mount Tabor Primary and The St. Michael School student.
Now he is looking forward to his new profession. “I am enjoying it so far; it’s hard work but I’m enjoying it,” Sealy remarked.
Andre, the son of Linda Sealy, would like to go into the area of International Business and Corporate Law.
Life turned out much the same for Andre’s friend and study partner Lemar Quimby.
Pals Andre Sealy (left) and Lemar Quimby (right).
The 24-year-old, a product of Wesley Hall Junior School, Louis Lynch Secondary School and later Ellerslie Secondary, originally wanted to be an accountant.
Lemar explained that it was a lecturer at Barbados Community College called Mr Burke “who pushed me to do my best in Law and I ended up falling in love with Law”.
Opting to specialize in Corporate Law, Lemar is expected to join a firm as early as next week. His parents are Leo Quimby and Judith Charles.
It is never easy choosing between two loves. Therefore, Kamisha Benjamin thought that she would study both Languages and Law at CAPE.
After doing so, the former Charles F Broome and Queens’ College student “just grew a love and a passion for Law.”
Along with that passion for the subject, Kamisha felt that since she is “generally a helpful person”, Law was an outlet through which she could continue doing so.
“I knew that by doing Law, I would be able to touch lives,” the 23-year-old, who plans to go into Criminal Law, surmised.
Edward and Pauline Benjamin are her parents.
Janaye Burgess’ hope is to become a child advocate.
From left, Mother Audrey, Janaye and
her sister, attorney-at-law Jamilia Burgess.
The new attorney explained that she wants to specialize in that area of law because “I recognized that children need a voice and I wanted be that voice.”
Currently the director of two youth chorales, the 23-year-old former Queens College student said she recognized that “most people don’t understand children and I wanted to get a chance to understand their point of view” and then “speak for them as best as I can.”
Burgess did a Specialist Clinic in Child Advocacy and hopes at some stage to be attached to the Child Care Board or any such agency. Until then, she will be gaining experience in general practice.
Janaye is the daughter of Audrey Burgess.