…young Essequibian admitted to the Bar

HAILING from a family of lawyers, 23- year-old, Twedale Marks, of Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, breathed a sigh of relief, when she was admitted to the Bar to practise law in Guyana. Her petition was presented by her sister, attorney-at-;law, Tracy Marks, before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, C.C.H, S.C. at the Demerara High Court, on Thursday.

Twedale described her journey as pressuring, as her family was vigilant of her throughout. “I had four other relatives who were well established in the legal profession and I was expected to do just as well or even better than them,” she explained. Upon graduating the best Arts student at the Anna Regina (Multilateral) Secondary in 2014, and with no where to stay in Georgetown,

Twedale proceeded to President’s College to commence her Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) studies and to utilise the dormitory facility offered. There, she was the Best Graduating Law Student, and was granted the Toussaint Boyce Award.

She then made her way to the University of Guyana, where she graduated within the top 10 of the class of 2018 and was offered a place at the Hugh Wooding Law School. Her journey, however, was not without challenges as she was constantly in and out of the hospital during the course of her studies. Twedale explained that becoming an attorney was not her first choice; it is her ultimate dream to become a Diplomat.

“I want to make an impact on the regional and international level. I want to build international relations between Guyana and her regional and international allies,” she explained. However, by observing the “drive and discipline” of her cousins and sister, she was committed to following in their footsteps and to pursue law which will inevitably contribute to her getting one step closer to her dream.

“I know many may ask, but why didn’t you do international relations. I do plan on taking it up in the future but I believe that law was going to set a good foundation for me and that I would be able to add value with a legal background,” she said. Recognising a shortage of attorneys to represent the people of Essequibo, the young attorney is committed to serving her county.

“There aren’t enough attorneys on the coast to address the legal problems that many Essequibians are facing; as a result Essequibians travel to Georgetown to seek out an attorney; I believe this is a problem that I can solve by being present and being there for my fellow Essequibians,” she said. She spends her free time volunteering with VOICE Guyana, a not for profit organisation which seeks to improve children’s speech and writing skills.

The Chief Justice (ag) tasked the young attorney with emulating the qualities of her predecessors, and to execute her oath with excellence, a word which resonated with her. “This resonated with me because I come from a family of excellence and I was always reminded that no matter what I decided to do in life, I should give it my best,” Twedale explained. Being daughter of a housewife and a mechanic, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards her parents and extended family that played a role and contributed to her success.