A Childhood Dream Fulfilled – Michaela Ambrose Called to the Bar

Michaela Ambrose knew that she wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. She read avidly as a child – almost all the childhood literature classics. Every book a child could wish for, she insisted that either her mother, her aunt or her Granny must buy it.{{more}}

On Thursday, February 3, 2011, her Claim to be admitted to the Bar of St.Vincent and the Grenadines was presented by her aunt Rene Baptiste, CMG, who is a Barrister and Solicitor of 34 years of Call in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

For her call, Michaela was surrounded by family members, relatives, her friends and friends of the family, including her mother – Dr. Rosalind Ambrose, Consultant Radiologist, her father – Dennis Ambrose, JP – a professional Cartographic Draughtsman and Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation. Also present was her maternal Grandmother – Beryl Baptiste, MBE; her primary school Head Teacher – Roslyn Peters of Petersville Primary School, her former GHS Mistress and Headmistress, now Cabinet Secretary – Susan Dougan; her paternal aunt – Dawn Smith, MBE and husband – Retired Dean – Ulric Smith.

Michaela’s Claim was eloquently presented by Rene Baptiste before the Hon. Mr. Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle, Puisne Judge of the High Court of Justice, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Baptiste, in supporting the application, traced Ambrose’s early days spent in her Chambers at Halifax Street from a very early age; her childhood spent in Hong Kong; her primary school days at Petersville; her years in the Brownies, Guides and Rangers. At Petersville, she was Head Girl and an Honours student.

Michaela represents the 3rd generation in the family to attend the 100 year old Girls’ High School, where she graduated with 9 subjects at CXC, and proceeded directly to Holborn College in the UK, where she pursued the Foundation Course in Law successfully, and entered the University of Wolverhampton. Three years later, she graduated with the Bachelor of Laws degree, with Second Class Honours in 2006.

She worked for a while, and in 2008, entered the City University of London to pursue the Diploma in Legal Studies, which she completed in July 2010. She entered Lincoln’s Inns of Court and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, an ancient 400-year-old Ceremony, in November 2010.

The Claim to be admitted to practise as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Justice of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was seconded by young female legal practitioner – Patricia Marks of Marks, Martin and Associates, with senior partner of the Firm Jaundy Martin witnessing the presentation.

Marks spoke about the qualities of her applicant, her commitment and forthrightness, and endorsed the view that she would be a credit to the profession.

Parnel Campbell, Q.C. also rose and spoke on behalf of the applicant and did so from the point of view of the parents of Michaela Ambrose, as he too, is the parent of an aspiring lawyer who understands the family sacrifice made to ensure that Michaela received a quality education. Campbell also took the opportunity to welcome back Baptiste to the Bar, she having recently (December 2010) retired from elected political office. Campbell congratulated her on her near 10 years Ministerial service to the State and her Parliamentary career.

Campbell was followed by Samuel Commissiong, another senior legal practitioner, who endorsed the young applicant and advised her to come to Court as often as possible, to observe and learn the depth of the practice of the law.

After taking the relevant Oath and signing the Roll, Michaela was robed jointly by her aunt Rene Baptiste and her friend Patricia Marks. She sat and listened attentively to Justice Bruce-Lyle, who acknowledged the presence in Court of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who is a Barrister of over two decades; members of the Diplomatic Corps in the persons of H.E. Yoel Marcano, Ambassador of Venezuela and H.E. Pablo Rodriguez, Ambassador of Cuba, and his wife (Both Ambassadors are lawyers by profession); and acknowledged other members of the legal profession. Justice Bruce-Lyle laid out his charge to the young attorney. He told her that the profession was in need of this next generation of young capable lawyers who are brilliant and highly qualified, as the times, circumstances and challenges need their fresh skills. But the old values and qualities of the profession still stand and are relevant, and must be demonstrated by her at all times. He urged her to listen to the older heads – including her aunt and her parents.

Her family beamed with pride as she rose to address the Court for the first time. She acknowledged the leading role played by her parents on seeing that she reached thus far in life; the encouragement of her aunt, and the support of her friends in assisting her along the way. She said that she is very proud to have fulfilled her life’s ambition to be a lawyer. She thanked Justice Bruce-Lyle for his words of wisdom and pledged to uphold the noble traditions of the legal profession.

Ambrose is an Associate of the Firm – BAPTISTE & Co, with well-appointed Chambers at Granby Street in the Methodist Commercial Building.