Justice Jo Ann Barlow last week Monday advised one of Guyana’s newest attorneys-at-law against settling for being ordinary in her practice as she accepted her petition to practise law in Guyana’s courts.
The advice was directed at Yonika Rowland, 24, whose petition was brought by Nigel Hawke, Solicitor General in the Chambers of the Attorney General. Justice Barlow also accepted the petition of Lydia Beresford, whose petition was brought by Teni Housty, President of the Bar Council of the Guyana Bar Association.
Seeking to bestow guidance upon Rowland, Justice Barlow noted that approximately 25 persons are admitted to the bar yearly, as opposed to the 5 – 7 admitted during her time. In these circumstances, Justice Barlow encouraged the newly-minted attorney-at-law that “to rise above…to distinguish yourself, you have to do more…”
“Do not settle for the ordinary. If you tell yourself that you have arrived, then you are settling for the ordinary,” Justice Barlow said, adding that if Rowland fails to add to the accomplishment that was her admission to the Bar, she will not be better off than she was on the day of her admission.
Rowland was also warned against cutting corners, and encouraged to always be honest.
Noting that the central objective of many attorneys-at-law is financial gain, Rowland was encouraged to forget finances for now, and instead focus on becoming a proficient counsel. Financial reward, Justice Barlow said, will come in due time, adding that “sometimes you may feel forgotten…but if you distinguish yourself, where you start is not where you will finish.”
Rowland was also tasked to never bring down her colleagues for what she may perceive as inadequate performances. Ill words should not be spoken, Justice Barlow counseled, in courtrooms, corridors, or the halls of the courts. They should also not be done on street corners, but in person, with the persons concerned, the judge said, as it is only in this way that person can be improved, and the profession enhanced.
Justice Barlow also told Rowland to read widely in an effort to expand her vocabulary and her facility of language. This is necessary, Rowland was told, given that these are two of her most important tools in the practice of law, and more specifically, her mastery of them, or lack thereof, will impact on the efficiency with which she is able convince the court that her case is meritorious. Hawke told the court that he was happy to present Rowland’s petition since she, like he was 18 years ago, is a Government of Guyana scholar, who has established a reputation as a consummate professional since she has been attached to the AG’s Chambers.
Rowland told the court that she has aspired to be an attorney-at-law since the age of 6, and that her admission was the culmination of that childhood aspiration. She thanked her family, friends, and supporters for the assistance rendered in her journey. Special mention was made of Sophia Findlay, and Kalesh Loakman, Rowland’s former classmates, both of whom were themselves recently admitted to the Bar, and present for Rowland’s admission.
Rowland attended the Wismar Hill Primary School, from which she graduated to attend the MacKenzie High School. She then took several courses at the National University.
Beresford, 29, during her own admission told the court that she is passionate about volunteering and advocating for better education opportunities for young people. Beresford attended the Stella Maris Primary School before proceeding to the St. Joseph High School, and then the New Guyana School.
She then attended the University of Guyana (UG), where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English) Degree. Beresford then taught English Language for some time at the Business School before enrolling in UG’s Department of Law to commence legal studies.
Both Beresford and Rowland commenced their LL.B studies in 2014, and graduated in 2017. They then proceeded to read for their Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), graduating October 5, 2019.
