The Council of Legal Education at the Hugh Wooding Law School graduated its newest legal minds on October 3 at a ceremony held at the Sport and Physical Education Centre at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.
Freshly-minted attorneys proudly took part in the procession before scores of legal luminaries, former government ministers and senators, as well as family members at the ceremony that was not devoid of pomp.
Senator Allyson Maynard Gibson, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs for the Bahamas, delivered the feature address and impressed upon graduands that to become a "well known and successful lawyer," one must "daily, work hard in pursuit of excellence. Word will spread of your reputation for excellence.
"There will be such demand for your services that you will earn. But note success comes from reputation, which can't be bought. You will gain satisfaction, knowledge and so much more (which also can't be bought) from giving back or returning."
Drawing on her own experiences, the visiting attorney general said 35 years ago, she too was in their position with a mix of emotions. There was excitement and relief, but she was scared too, while bursting with pride.
She said: "I assure you that you are about to commence a learned profession that is one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting profession in the world. Graduates frequently tell me that they care about 'jobs and money' and that in ten years they want to be 'well-known and very successful'. For some this translates to 'I want to be rich'.
"Savour today's enthusiasm and take it with you every day for the rest of your life. I'd like you to remember that the tripod upon which success as a lawyer stands comprises three words–learn; return; and earn."