Sascha Wilson
Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
From typewriters to computers, physical courtrooms to virtual ones, Edwin Roopnarine—the country’s longest-practicing attorney—has seen it all.
“Law has given me meaning for my life. It has given me a deep meaning for my life,” Roopnarine said proudly.
In an interview at his law chambers, Roopnarine & Company, on Lord Street, San Fernando, he spoke about his experiences—both negative and positive—including his journey to England by boat to study law.
“That was an interesting journey in itself. I met a lot of friends,” said Roopnarine, who has been in active practice for six decades.
He said he was inspired to join the profession by his elder brother, the late Errol Roopnarine, a High Court judge and Solicitor General.
Living on Gordon Street, close to the High Court and Magistrates’ Court, he often saw lawyers and barristers in their wigs and gowns. Roopnarine said he felt enchanted watching them, believing they were well respected, which made him eager to join the profession.
At 21, he gave up his teaching career and travelled to England.
“I left teaching, and I travelled to England. I will not describe it as a banana boat; it was a boat journey to London. It was over ten days travelling by sea. In England, I had to describe myself as one of the Windrush generation persons because I reached England sometime late July 1959.”
Finding accommodation was difficult at first, as many places refused to house West Indians and other people of colour, but they eventually found somewhere to stay.
Before joining Middle Temple, one of the four Inns of Court, his first job was as a stock clerk at a wine merchant’s shop. He also recalled forming the Trident Cricket Club, of which he was the chairman.
After graduating and being called to the degree of the Utter Bar in Middle Temple Hall in February 1965, he returned to Trinidad on June 24, where he was admitted to practice and has remained active ever since. Although he practiced criminal law early in his career, he did not enjoy it and eventually chose to focus exclusively on civil law.
“I have been very fortunate in the law, in that I have appeared before every chief justice in Trinidad and Tobago, starting with Sir Hugh Wooding to our present Chief Justice Mr Ivor Archie. I have appeared before every judge in the courts of Trinidad and Tobago who sat in the civil jurisdiction.”
Despite his accomplishments, Roopnarine said he has always shown respect to everyone.
“I’ve always treated everyone with the greatest respect. A judge of the highest level or the janitor—they are equal in my eyes because I respect each and every person. In the law, I’ve always felt it to be a learning process because I win some and lose some, but I greatly appreciate the lessons.”
Commenting on virtual hearings introduced since COVID-19, he said they have advantages and disadvantages. While many matters can be done virtually without any issues, he noted that physical hearings offer more personal connection, camaraderie, and a better sense of human interaction.
“There is more camaraderie when you meet someone physically than when you meet someone over the screen,” he said.
He established his law firm in April 1988, and two of his sons, Shawn and Ted Roopnarine, followed in his footsteps, while his other son, Dr Robin Roopnarine is a medical practitioner.
It would appear that retirement is not on the horizon for Roopnarine, who believes he can still serve his community by remaining in active practice. Roopnarine shared that the law has given his life great meaning, and in return, he has given service to his community and country.
Roopnarine has been involved in various forms of civil litigation, from matrimonial to all human rights and fundamental freedom-related matters.
His advice to young attorneys? Always respect the judge, respect fellow lawyers, and uphold the rule of law.
