Another Anguillian young woman has been called to the Bar, showing that an increasing number of local persons are entering the legal profession. The latest is 24-year-old Shameica C. Hodge, of The Farrington, daughter of Joycelyn and Chester Hodge.
A former student at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, she obtained 10 CXC passes in 2004 and graduated in 2006 with the CAPE Associate Degree in Humanities. She attained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (Second Class Honours) from the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in 2009; and in 2011 the Legal Certificate of Education from the Norman Manley Law School.
Photo: Section of the invited guests.
The application for Ms. Hodge’s call to the Bar, as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (AnguillaCircuit), was made before Madam Justice Louise Blenman by Barrister-at-Law, Cora Richardson-Hodge, of C. R. Hodge & Associates, to whose Chambers the new lawyer is attached.
Photo: Ms. Hodge being Sworn-in by Registrar Patricia Harding.
Mrs. Richardson-Hodge told Justice Blenman that Lawyer Shameicia Hodge, having previously served as a Legal Intern at her Chambers, possessed a well-rounded view of the legal practice. “This was not just from the work involved as a legal practitioner, from interviewing clients to appearances in court, drafting legal submissions, but also to the administrative aspects of a law firm,” she explained. She added: “It is my belief and expectation that Ms. Hodge will dutifully and vigorously carry out her obligations as a Barrister and Solicitor before this Honourable Court.”
Photo: Lawyers Cora Hodge and Tara Carter-Ruan dressing Ms. Hodge in gown.
Barrister Tara Carter-Ruan of Caribbean Juris Chambers, where Ms. Hodge once served at Benjamine Company Services,
described her as being a pleasant and humble person. She impressed upon Ms. Hodge to show respect to the Bench, her colleagues and clients, stating that in doing so the young lawyer would go very far. She said Ms. Hodge was attached to a very hard-working Chambers where she would have a rewarding experience.
Barrister Valencia Hodge, and President of the Anguilla Bar Association, Yvette Wallace, joined in congratulating their newly-admitted colleague and offered hersome useful advice and their best wishes.
Justice Blenman told Ms. Hodge that she believed she would do well in her legal profession, and that it required long hours of hard work. She urged her to show the court and her colleagues the respect they deserved and to maintain the conventions, integrity and dignity of the profession. “You have done very well; your family ought to be very proud of you and I congratulate them also – and their presence here speaks volumes,” the Judge said. “It tells me that that they expect a lot of you and I want to congratulate and welcome you.”
Replying, Ms. Hodge expressed gratitude to the legal community for its support. She mentioned in particular a number of Attorneys who influenced her including Thomas Astaphan, John Benjamin and staff of Benjamine Group of Companies and Ms. Vernette Richardson of the Attorney General’s Chambers. She spoke of Attorney Cora Richardson – Hodge whom she called a mentor and teacher and who “provided an environment where any young attorney can learn and thrive.” She was also grateful to the Anguilla Government, past and present, “for recognising the importance of education within our society and empowering our youth to achieve their dreams.” She stated that as a result of a full scholarship she was able to pursue her legal training.
Photo: Ms. Hodge with Revolution Leader, Mr. Ronald Webster.
“As I enter this noble profession, I am grateful for trail blazers such as Dame Bernice Lake QC whose achievements, both
professionally and personally, inspire young attorneys to achieve greatness,” she continued. “I am also grateful for the high standard of legal practice that the members of the Bar have maintained in Anguilla. It provides a favourable environment for the growth and development of young attorneys such as myself. I intend to maintain these high standards, through my own actions and practice of the law, by respecting and honouring the ethical code which have so long guided the actions of our attorneys.”
Ms. Hodge promised to give back to the community which had given her so much, and in turn for her to make pro bono service an integral part of her legal career. “It is also with this in mind that I intend, in future, to pursue an LLM in Economic Law so that I can be of further service to my country,” she added. “I firmly believe that the proper economic management of a country is one of the primary means by which we can effectively safeguard the rights and privileges our citizens.”
Photo: Family members and close friends with Ms. Hodge.
(Source, http://www.anguillian.com/article/articleview/10323/1/140/)
