BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FRIDAY (Nov. 9) marked another milestone in the life of Violet Angela Williams, having been accepted to the Bar of St. Christopher and Nevis making her the newest addition to the growing list of legal luminaries.
In a ceremony held at the Basseterre High Court, which was filled with family members, friends and well wishers and presided over by His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Paulina Hendrickson and Counsel Jihan Williams submitted Violet's application which was approved.
Hendrickson, in her submission to the Court, gave details of Williams’ journey towards becoming a lawyer.
She said Williams was a teacher for two years before going off to Cuba to study Psychology in 2006 where she also learned to read and write Spanish.
From there she returned to St. Kitts and counselled at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College for one year before going to the University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus in Barbados, to pursue studies in Law.
Hendrickson said Williams graduated with her Bachelor of Law degree in 2010 and immediately enrolled at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, where she obtained her Legal Education Certificate.
She described her as a very pleasant person who was always willing to help when she assisted in the office of the DPP, noting she was not afraid of a challenge.
Jihan, in supporting the application, said she was satisfied with three things with regards to Williams - she exhibited continuous high academics, she treasures her community ties made and she is grateful for the support she received from her family and friends, and also that she wanted to be a lawyer for all the right reasons.
Jihan described Williams as a balanced and well rounded individual, having not only excelled academically but also in sports and pageantry.
She noted that Williams played a number of sports, including football and netball, and she was also First Runner-up in the 2006 Miss National Carnival Pageant.
In her inaugural speech, Williams expressed her sincere appreciation for the acceptance of her application, which afforded her the opportunity to do what she always wanted to do - practise law.
She said she too had a dream which she pursued vigorously and is has now succeeded, having been accepted to the Bar.
Williams also said that a five-year long journey has ended but noted that it was also the beginning of a new one.
With tears streaming down her face, Williams said the last five years have been the most difficult in her life but she overcame every obstacle she was faced with, such as emotional stress, sickness and financial difficulties, among others.
The new lawyer thanked all who stood by her throughout her journey; firstly God, her brother and mother whom she described as a lady of integrity and who she said was the engine of her support system.
She said: "Mom, today is your day to shine, to be proud and to shed tears of joy knowing that you made it possible for our dream to come true."
Williams said she would always take with her the principle of preparation and practise.
"To God be the glory, great things He has done for Violet Angela Williams," she ended.
Justice Thomas told Williams that today (Friday) is her special day as she is not first or second runner-up but has been called to the Bar.
He told her that being called to the Bar is but the first step in her journey in the law profession, which should not be taken lightly as the road ahead would not be smooth.
"You as a young attorney have a role to play in society. Whatever you do or say reflects on your profession," he cautioned.
He encouraged her to pay attention to the addresses of senior counsels and find time to go to court when there are major cases and listen to counsels on both sides.
Justice Thomas ended by congratulating Williams on her achievement.
"I would like to congratulate you. I also congratulate your parents for raising a fine young lady who is now the newest addition to the Bar. Continue to love and respect your family and others so your children would come to do the same," he said.
Justice Thomas also gave Williams a quote by Abraham Lincoln to consider, which he said is never irrelevant.
"There is a vague popular belief that lawyers are necessarily dishonest. I say vague because when we consider to what extent confidence and honours are reposed in and conferred upon lawyers by the people, it appears improbable that their impression of dishonesty is very distinct and vivid. Yet the impression is common, almost universal.
"Let no young man choosing the law for a calling for a moment yield to the popular belief. Resolve to be honest at all events, and if in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer."
"Be true to your oath," he concluded.
SKNVibes congratulates Violet Williams on being called to the Bar and wishes her the very best in her future endeavours.
