The legal fraternity was yesterday plunged into mourning with the death of one of the longest serving and most prominent members, Senior Counsel Theodore Guerra. Guerra, 80, of La Pastora, Santa Cruz, died around 9 am yesterday at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.
The long-standing attorney who celebrated his birthday on December 23, suffered a minor stroke earlier this year. He had been home recovering until recently when he was diagnosed with a problem in the colon. Guerra had been warded at hospital since last Sunday after he underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured colon. He also suffered a minor heart attack late last year.
The former police officer read law in the United Kingdom before he was called to the bar in T&T in 1960. He took silk in October 1993. Guerra served as MP for Port-of-Spain South in the NAR regime between 1986 and 1991. Despite his age, he continued to practise up to earlier this year, representing clients in several High Court matters.
Among Guerra's thousands of clients were the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen and its leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr. Guerra was also lead counsel to the Commission of Enquiry into the Piarco International Airport construction project in 2002. Several notable members of T&T's legal fraternity yesterday paid glowing tribute to him. Funeral arrangements had not been finalised by Guerra's family up to late yesterday.
Judiciary
In a news release from the Judiciary's Court Protocol and Information Manager Jones P Madeira yesterday, Guerra was described as "a powerful and passionate advocate." "His performance at the Bar was distinguished by many high profiles cases, including trials arising out of the events surrounding the 1970 State of Emergency in T&T. "With Guerra's passing, the legal profession records the losss of one of its most experienced champions," the release said.
AG Anand Ramlogan, SC
In a news release sent yesterday evening, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, SC, called upon members of the legal profession to emulate Guerra and undertake more pro bono work in the future. Ramlogan said: "His legacy and career were heavily punctuated by his frequent pro bono (without fees) appearances in court. The records would show he did hundreds of cases pro bono."
"Guerra demonstrated such service to the poor and downtrodden which lies at the very heart of the legal profession," Ramlogan said. Ramlogan described Guerra as a community-oriented person who participated actively in sport, calypso and horticulture. "Because of his consistent dedication to the legal profession and wider community over the eight-decade span of his life Theodore "Teddy" Guerra, SC, shall always be remembered as one who served his country with distinction.
Law Association president Seenath Jairam
Law Association president Seenath Jairam also expressed his condolences to Guerra's family in a press release yesterday. Jairam said: "He was affable, cheerful, jovial and a fierce cross-examiner in the criminal area. He was truly a people's person and loved steel pan and calypso."
Senior Counsel Pamela Elder
Senior Counsel Pamela Elder, a partner at Guerra's chambers Guerra, Elder and Associates said she was distraught by his passing. "Mr Guerra was more than a colleague and a friend. He was more like a father," Elder said in a telephone interview yesterday evening. Elder said she did her first training in criminal law under Guerra, who was also instrumental in training many judges and magistrates. "He was a warrior of a man who gave selflessly and was passionate about law," Elder said.
Senior Counsel Israel Khan
In an interview yesterday, criminal attorney Israel Khan, SC, commended Guerra for the assistance he rendered to many young attorneys who were entering the profession. "He was the doyen at the criminal?bar in T&T and more likely than not, he was the most experienced criminal lawyer in the entire English speaking Caribbean," he said.
Khan also noted that Guerra assisted hundreds, if not thousands through his pro bono work. "Money was never his main concern but rather justice for all and many a person took advantage of this soft spot," Khan said.
Senior?Counsel Dana Seetahal
In a telephone interview yesterday, Dana Seetahal, SC, said Guerra's most striking qualities were his wit and vitality. "When I first came out as an attorney in 1980, Guerra belonged to a small group of attorneys who were leaders of the criminal bar," Seetahal said. She said he stood out not only in legal profession but also in sport particularly cricket and in agriculture. Seetahal also commended Guerra's style of cross-examination which she said was aided by his experience as a police officer.