FROM childhood, Trevor Navindra Karran had a preoccupation with determining right from wrong. There were times when he faced conflicts and strongly felt that the truth should always be revealed.

He came to the realisation that his personality might be well-suited for a career in law and started studying at a prestigious public interest law school in the United States to aid in achieving this objective. Here, its dual mission was to practise law in the service of human needs and to “transform the teaching, learning, and practice of law to include those it has excluded, marginalised, and oppressed.”

Following his admission to the Guyana Bar recently before Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire at the High Court, Karran, 56, told this publication that his interest has always been in public interest law and that since Guyana is heading toward mediation, he would like to be involved in alternative conflict resolution.

Karran wants to be able to help as many people as possible, as he has been doing in New York through his practice.

“There are many persons being taken advantage of because they are poor and uninformed. I would like to give them a voice,” he expressed, adding, “I have always wanted to practise in Guyana and make a difference in Guyana and to the Guyanese people. The only sad part of all of this is that my parents are not alive to witness this. My father, who was an attorney, and my mother who was a schoolteacher, instilled the importance of being humble, earning an education and being a good person.”

As a word of advice to those studying, Karran observed that law school is rigorous, and hence calls for much commitment. “To those entering the field, remain humble and remember you provide a very important service. Listen to your clients. Make no assumptions. Be honest.”

Meanwhile, in 1970 to 1971, Karran did kindergarten in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where his father was doing his Master’s degree in public administration.

He later attended the Rama Krishna Primary School, then Queen’s College. Further, he attended Columbia University and New York Institute of Technology in New York from 1983 to 1988 and gained Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees.

He again returned to Guyana and worked for Massy and then Shell Antilles, subsequently opening his own business.

He later attended the City University of New York School of Law from 2000 to 2003 and gained a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. He lived and practised Immigration Law, Matrimonial Law and a general practice in his own law office in New York from 2005 until August 2022.

Karran began his Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Eugene Dupuch Law School to be certified in Guyana and got his LEC on April 14, 2023. He currently works with Everton Singh-Lammy at his firm 1966 Law, as an associate.

Karran is grateful to his wife, Sharmelee; his children Ethan, Rebekah and Isabella for their patience and support during his studies.

“I am grateful to my siblings for their support and my Aunt Olive Sahai, who made this milestone possible with her support. I would like to thank Mr. Everton Singh-Lammy for his continuing mentorship and accepting me into his firm during my studies and then as an associate. I thank all the staff of 1966 Law.”

Karran is also thankful that he was admitted by the Chief Justice, whom he believes is the epitome of what the law stands for.