By Vishani Ragobeer

DEBRA SINGH, a 25-year-old who is from Ridge, Wakenaam, became one of Guyana’s newer attorneys-at-law after she was admitted to the local bar to practise law in Guyana on Monday.

Singh’s petition for her admission to the bar was presented by attorneys Tejnarine Ramroop and Timothy Jonas, before Justice Sandra Kurtious. During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Singh related she was the first lawyer in her family. Importantly, too, she was particularly elated because this achievement was something she worked hard for over the past few years.

The young woman attended the Ridge Wakenaam Primary school before coming to ‘town’ to attend the Graham’s Hall Primary School just before the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Following that assessment, she got into the St. Rose’s High School.

“Getting into the legal field was never something I wanted to pursue… it was only until I reached 18, then I realised that I wanted to take this path because of a personal situation that changed my life,” she said.

Singh disclosed that for a few years, she felt as though she did not have a voice nor identity. She was presented with numerous uncertainties and responsibilities. But, she took the ‘leap of faith’ to pursue a law degree, using it as an opportunity to restore her sense of self-worth.

And so, she applied to the University of Guyana (UG). Without prior experience with law, she had to do a year of pre-law, which, for her, was sociology.

“The year of sociology was not challenging but it didn’t introduce me to law and it did nothing to help me understand what law would be like,” Singh recalled.

When she finally actually began that law journey, it was a challenge. Her class included students who already had some exposure to the field through their Sixth Form or ‘A’ level studies; Singh recalled the perpetual feeling of being “way behind”.

This did not daunt her pursuits, however. Rather, she highlighted that it compelled her to work harder, unearth a stronger sense of discipline and continuously improve her Grade Point Average (GPA). The result? She graduated with her Bachelor of Laws with a distinction!

With part of her legal journey completed, the next step was obtaining her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Just as before, a lack of experience was a slight bugbear. This time, the practical aspect of law was not her forte, but she highlighted that other students, who had the experience of working along with established attorneys, were very supportive.

And as she settled into this academic experience, she had many opportunities to engage in the practical aspect. One such opportunity was through the legal aid clinic.

“Working with clients from legal aid really helped me to understand, more practically, the problems people faced, the justice they need and how to better communicate with them,” Singh posited.

She said, too, that she learnt how to be efficient, dealing with time-sensitive cases. And of course, she found time to enjoy other things like her time in the Twin Island Republic and table tennis. In fact, she boasted of being the HWLS female table tennis champion.

Now, she is eager to work in the criminal justice system. She told this newspaper that she is cognisant of the myriad of injustices individuals, particularly abused and vulnerable women and children, face.

“Whoever I go to represent, I will ensure that I fight for them and ensure that I can be a voice to those that can’t speak,” she emphasised.

Singh also has a vested interest in improving the local laws geared at mitigating animal cruelty. This may or may not be influenced by her affinity for animals. Currently, she has 12 cats and two dogs. These furried creatures, she affirmed, were part of her support system.

As Singh marks the end of her academic journey and entrance into the legal profession, she encouraged others to keep believing in themselves and work to achieve their goals.