Former NAMS teacher admitted to the bar

Nov 09, 2014 News

Former New Amsterdam Multilateral School teacher, Alicia Roxanne Robertson,

Attorney at- law Tejnarine Ramroop (far left), newly admitted attorney Alicia Robertson, Justice James Bovell-Drakes, Attorneys-at-Law Fiona Hamilton and Adrian Anamayah

became one of Guyana’s newest Attorneys-at-law last Wednesday after she was admitted to the local bar at the Berbice Supreme Court of Judicature.
Presenting her petition was Attorney-at-Law and former Magistrate Tejnarine Ramroop before Justice James Bovell-Drakes in a packed courtroom of family, friends and well-wishers.
Ramroop detailed Robertson’s academic qualifications and achievements. Robertson, a past pupil of the Seafield Primary School then Lichfield Primary School wrote the Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (SSEE) in 1999 and was awarded a place at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS). She later gained nine passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).
She continued her Advanced Levels (‘A’ Levels) at NAMS where she obtained passes in seven Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subject areas.
Robertson excelled at both academic studies and extra-curricular activities and had represented the School and Region No. 6 at the National School Athletics Championship on numerous occasions.
The young lawyer was named the Best Graduating CAPE student for 2005, Best Unit 1 and Unit 2 Law Student, the Best Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies and Food and Nutrition Unit 1 student for NAMS.
Robertson, a resident of Lichfield Village, West Coast Berbice, served as a teacher at her old school for two years and also as a part-time tutor at the University of Guyana Distance and Continuing Education, Berbice Branch.
Her scholastic achievements were boosted by a pass from the University of Guyana’s LLB programme in 2012. On October 5, the young attorney was awarded her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School.
In presenting her petition to Justice Bovell-Drakes, Ramroop said that he had confidence in the 26-year-old’s ability to become an excellent attorney.
Justice Bovell-Drakes, in accepting the petition, said that confidentiality is pertinent saying if she talks in her sleep, she should ensure she does not talk about our clients’ business.
Clients, he said, must feel free to approach and tell their story without ever thinking that their business will be discussed with others.
He said that she should never become a slave of money and to never allow clients to use money and have an upper hand over her.
The Judge warned that clients lie at times so she should practice documenting everything clients say so that there is written proof should they say otherwise.
In her acceptance speech, Robertson thanked God for his guidance, mercy and love thus far.
She said that becoming an Attorney-at-Law has been her aspiration since she was eight years old. Robertson admitted that at that time, she was intrigued by the peculiar attire and dress of the profession.
By 18, the lawyer noted that she had become aware that there is much more than that which meets the eyes. “The law affects every aspect of our lives; driving a car, purchases from the store, getting into a fight, being employed and even renting a house.”
She said it is a vital component in the successful integration of society and as such it will never remain constant. “Our legal system strives to represent the principles Guyanese believe in and each generation influences the legal system by changing or reforming the laws. I knew that I wanted to be a part of that dynamic change: to be a part of that dynamic profession.”
The 26-year-old said that she was honoured to be a part of the legal profession.
She noted that the poor and “not so poor” cannot afford adequate legal assistance and promised to devote time and resources and use her civic influence to ensure equal access to justice.
She expressed gratitude to her family, friends, church members and supporters, who loved, guided, prayed and assisted her throughout her journey. Robertson gave thanks to her parents, Ernestine Blair and the late Charles Robertson, too for her achievement.