–aims to become International Legal and Trade Lawyer
A MOTHER of one, Deborah Barrow-Graham, was admitted to the Bar last Monday, after completing her studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School, where she graduated as the best-performing Guyanese student.
Her petition was presented by prominent attorney, Nigel Hughes, a managing partner of Hughes, Fields and Stoby. And, she was admitted to the Bar by the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George. Barrow-Graham’s admission was conducted in the presence of her mother, son and husband.
In reflecting on her journey to ‘success,’ Barrow-Graham said that she was the lone Guyanese student to be listed on the Principal’s Roll of Honour.
She told the Sunday Chronicle that she was both ecstatic and surprised after hearing that her hard work had landed her a spot as not just the top Guyanese student, but also a place on the honour roll.
“I was shocked because of the COVID we had to do our exams online; we had a 24 hour exam and my computer crashed during the exam and I took it to a computer technician and the guy could not recover the information so I did not have the notes.
“But it was a good thing I was working hard before but of course I still panicked and I shed two tears and so but then I had to pick up myself because the exam had already started. I had to get myself together and say well you studied so just perform,” said the new attorney.
Barrow-Graham said that she was initially not interested in litigation so she delayed her journey to law school and, instead took the “scenic route,” pursuing post-graduate studies in related fields before attending law school.
She further said that although studying abroad came with its own challenges, the comfort of home was very close to her, in the form of her son, who accompanied her throughout the journey.
Caring for her son and spending quality time with him increased her ability to concentrate and remain calm.
“Having my son with me helped me out so much because I was not alone; I had a piece of my family there with me. It helped me to keep balanced so I was not just consumed with work, I made time to study and I made time for him and I think that gave me a strategic advantage in being successful with my programme,” said Barrow-Graham.
In addition to physical support, she received support from her family and friends, in Guyana, who utilised online platforms to share their sentiments.
Barrow-Graham utilised the moral support as encouragement to complete law school and create an opportunity to be like one of her role models, Justice George. The Chief Justice’s style of delivering and writing rulings is one which she hopes to one day emulate.
Justice George, in admitting Barrow-Graham to the Bar, advised her to always aspire for excellence, to “keep raising the bar and most importantly to share her knowledge with others.”
In addition to her Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, Barrow-Graham is the holder of a history degree (distinction), law degree (distinction), and Masters in International Trade Policy (distinction). She said her ultimate goal is to become an International Legal and Trade Lawyer.
