Ryan Robinson Perinchief, the 2020 Rhodes scholar and founder of Future Leaders of Bermuda, was applauded after being Called to the Bar before a packed and sometimes emotional courtroom and joining the island’s legal fraternity.

Mr Robinson Perinchief, who studied law at Durham University in England and graduated in 2019 with a first-class honours degree, told the ceremony that no matter what he went on to do, he would “always be an advocate” for others.

He said that upon graduating from The Berkeley Institute in 2014, “I thought it would be a sprint.

“It turned out more like a marathon. I took a longer road than I expected with a few twists and turns.”

In his journey to become a lawyer, he added: “I took the scenic route.”

Following introductory remarks by Ben Adamson, a director of litigation at law firm Conyers, puisne judges Larry Mussenden and Juan Wolffe heard from Sophia Greaves, a director of the firm’s corporate department, that Mr Robinson Perinchief had distinguished himself with his passion for activism but always remained humble.

She said that his “most honourable characteristic is his sense of purpose for Bermuda”, calling him “authentic, thoughtful and selfless”.

Victor Richards, a director in the Conyers Bermuda corporate practice, said Mr Robinson Perinchief, 27, was an example of the maxim “work hard, stay humble — great things will come”.

“I have no doubt that this feather in his cap he will take with humility, just as he did with every accolade so far.”

Addressing the court, Mr Robinson Perinchief thanked all his teachers for showing him how to harness his “passion and sometimes rebellious spirit” from the Bermuda Institute up to Durham University, followed by “the friends who carried me through those cold years up in the North of England”.

“It’s said that pressure builds diamonds.”

He also thanked the Midland Heights Seventh-Day Adventist Church, with pastor Damon Hendrickson looking on — along with RenaissanceRe, the Centennial Bermuda Foundation, the Bermuda Government and Conyers for sponsoring his pursuit of his law degree.

Mr Robinson Perinchief added that the Rhodes Trust had allowed him to obtain a master's degree in public policy, and he spent a year back in Bermuda gaining experience at the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Finance — followed by extensive legal experience in Conyers.

His father, Wayne Perinchief, the former Minister of National Security for the Progressive Labour Party government, was “someone I could always turn to for advice and support, while his mother, Tammy Robinson, was ”my bedrock of support“.

He thanked his sister and “kindred spirit” Kelly, along with his brother Daron and his late brother, Ché.

With 35 people looking on remotely via Zoom, he thanked “extended friends and family here and overseas”.

He said Craig McIntyre, another Conyers director, had told him there was “a certain level of respect automatically afforded to lawyers”, but that the price was society’s expectation of lawyers to be “fair, honest and individuals of integrity”.

Mr Robinson Perinchief spoke of his passion for “justice, nation building and a sense of duty to empower people and the community”.

“At this critical stage in my life, I am required to ask myself where I am needed most.”

He closed with: “The marathon continues.”

Mr Justice Wolffe told him he usually did not shed a tear from the bench.

“But today you brought me very close.”

He noted Mr Robinson Perinchief’s quote on social media: “Nation building is community building on a large scale.”

“That quote is even more profound given what we are going through in the world today.”

Mr Justice Mussenden told him: “It’s quite clear that you are of excellent character, a first-rate person, and perhaps you are the best and brightest that we have in Bermuda.

“I extend congratulations to your village and everyone who has come here today to support you.

“They are here today, but they have been with you on your marathon.”