A woman inspired by her Supreme Court judge cousin to study law was yesterday called to the Bar.

Roshanda Smith, 26, joined the profession watched by family and friends as well as by her cousin Puisne Judge Nicole Stoneham, who arrived moments after Ms Smith addressed a special sitting of the court.

Ms Stoneham told Ms Smith: “I wish to welcome you to the Bar – it is a great, great honour and a wonderful legacy for our family.”

She added: “I know that if your grandfather and my father had the opportunities that we have now, they would have been the greatest advocates there ever were in Bermuda.”

“It only goes to show you what a commitment to hard work, brains and dedication to the advancement of our children and our families through education can do.”

Ms Smith, from Warwick, wanted to go into the law ever since she was a child.

She said: “I’ve never contemplated another career path – it’s always been one thing and that’s partially because I have a good role model.”

Ms Smith said that the quest for fairness and justice that lawyers should embody struck a chord with her.

She added: “There are people out there with a lot more to deal with and greater worries than I have.

“It would be wonderful just to ease that a little bit in my practice if I can.”

Ms Smith studied at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada and graduated in 2017 with a degree in psychology.

She went on to the University of Law in Leeds and completed a postgraduate diploma in law in 2018 and a legal practice course the next year.

Ms Smith joined island law firm MDM in November, 2020 as a litigation paralegal.

She was offered a pupillage after only five months because the partners were impressed with the quality of her work.

Ms Smith admitted that work became difficult during the pandemic, particularly because several family members died after they contracted Covid-19.

But she said that she overcame her problems by finding the right work/life balance and with the support of her MDM family.

Ms Smith said: “I had to think of the bigger picture – I had to see it through because at the end of the day it will be rewarded.

“These are experiences that help you grow as an individual – you really grow into your own.”

Ms Smith said that she hoped to continue at MDM in the firm’s property, wills and estates department.