— aims to help advance human rights in Guyana

TRAVIS Wilson, a 24-year-old Jamaican attorney-at-law with a passion for advancing human rights and Caribbean integration, was admitted to the local bar on Wednesday by Justice Sandra Kurtzious. Wilson, a ‘born and bred’ Jamaican, obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2018 from the Mona (Jamaica) campus of University of the West Indies (UWI). He then attended the Norman Manley Law School, also in Jamaica, where he obtained his Legal Education Certificate (LEC) in September, 2020. Since finishing his studies in law he was admitted to the bar in Jamaica and has been working as a Case Manager with non-profit, human rights organisation called Jamaicans for Justice.

But as part of his quest to widen his brand, learn more about the Caribbean region and to contribute to regional integration, he decided to step out of his comfort zone and get admitted to the bar in another country. Guyana was a natural choice for him since he has been able to meet “some really, really, really, really nice Guyanese people” and he has been able to identify areas in which he believes he can lend his services. “I am big on human rights. I work currently in human rights back home and so from my few visits to Guyana I’ve seen where there can be a little bit of improvement in that area and I’ll gladly offer my services to contribute to a more wholesome development of the humanitarian laws here in Guyana,” Wilson told the Guyana Chronicle.

But he is not one to point out areas that need improvement without first doing his due diligence. And that requires him to learn the nuances between the jurisprudence of the two countries. “As you go about learning, you will see the deficiencies and I am not one who will see the deficiencies and let it slide,” Wilson said, adding, “My quest is to see how we can fix it.” Wilson was adamant about not wanting to force any changes here in Guyana but instead, he endeavours to work with his colleagues in the legal profession to see how best he can help to bring about development.

He also indicated that he has been travelling in between Jamaica and Guyana, both countries where he is now able to utilise his skills in the legal profession. He, however, believes that his services could potentially be more meaningful in Guyana. “If we are to speak about development, then ‘each one, teach one’– we can learn from each other. I want to be one of those attorneys contributing to Caribbean jurisprudence, not just something on paper, but in actuality,” he emphasised. The Jamaican, very seriously, said that he has the mentality of a revolutionary, also. “I have this thing in me that I want to make a change somewhere, somehow. I don’t set my hands on it quite steady as yet, but I know when it comes that I’m going to be a part of it,” Wilson said. He also emphasised that he has a strong support system in his parents, his family and friends. Importantly, he noted that he has trust and faith in God.