Jacobs, Pompey join the legal fraternity

Two more Vincentians have been called to the local bar. This occurred at the High Court in Kingstown when Mishka Jacobs and police prosecutor Bertie Pompey were presented before Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle.

By January next year, Mishka Jacobs should be endorsed as Crown Counsel. {{more}}

Jacobs, from Chapman’s Village, North Central Windward, took a giant step in her career when Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle accepted her application to the Bar last Tuesday morning at the High Court in Kingstown.

Justice Bruce-Lyle used the opportunity to impart some of his experience in the legal field to the young lawyer.

He referred to the threat of the male gender becoming extinct, with domination of women in many spheres. Justice Bruce-Lyle noted Jacobs’ outstanding traits, and said he was confident that “great things” would come from her.

He called Jacobs a beacon of hope, for with the number of young persons falling by the way, the Justice found it “heartening” to see young persons stand out and achieve so much.

Bruce-Lyle said Jacobs gave him hope that there are “persons still around who will be able to carry this country forward”.

Bruce-Lyle warned Jacobs not to allow the lure of money to push her into directions where her reputation can be destroyed.

Jacobs, a former Lowmans Windward Primary, Girls’ High School and Community College student, prepared for her degree at UWI, Cave Hill in Barbados and the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.

Having completed her internship at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Jacobs was well prepared for her conscription.

Attorney General Judith Jones Morgan made the petition on her behalf, supported by lawyer Cecil “Blazer” Williams.

Justice Bruce-Lyle proud of Bertie Pompey

Bertie Pompey is a man whom the police ought to respect as a role model. Pompey, with 29 years in the constabulary, has pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, and for his hard work and dedication has now been accepted to the Bar.

His acceptance came last Tuesday, and the occasion left Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle lost for words. Suffice it to say that the Justice seemed overwhelmed by Pompey’s elevation.

And Bruce-Lyle reminded him that he had encouraged him to complete his legal training.

Pompey, from the North Central Windward village of Byera, joined the police as a 19-year-old, and worked his way through the Traffic Branch, and Criminal Investigation Department but distinguished himself as a prosecutor.

“You have done me proud,” Bruce-Lyle told Pompey. The Justice’s advice to Pompey was that he gave something back to the police.

Former Attorney General Arthur Williams, who made the application on Pompey’s behalf, praised the prosecutor whom he described as of good character.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams supported the application and said he was impressed with Pompey’s demeanor and character.

The DPP endorsed the professionalism being engendered in the police force.

Pompey’s response was testimony of one use to addressing the court. His inaugural speech was one with a fluidity and eloquence suggestive of a seasoned practitioner as he pledged to maintain the nobility of the profession and thanked those who had helped him.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves came in for gratitude for facilitating Pompey’s Sir Hugh Wooding studies and for the purchase of books.