The newest member of the Bermuda Bar looks forward to serving the island with integrity.

Akira McDonald began a pupillage with Appleby last September after interning and working as a paralegal at the firm, and was called to the Bermuda Bar on Friday.

She told Chief Justice Larry Mussenden: “This moment is not just a personal milestone for me, but a tribute to the support, sacrifice and belief of those who walked beside me.

“I am excited and look forward to serving my community with heart and integrity.”

Ms McDonald studied at the British-based University of Law, which also has international and online campuses, and Middlesex University.

She worked as an analyst at the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

A statement from Appleby said: “In her first year of the programme she completed three seats, rotating from the dispute resolution, corporate and insurance departments, where she was mentored by Jordan Knight, Jerome Wilson and Max Tetlow respectively.

Mr Wilson said: “She has consistently demonstrated strong legal acumen, professionalism and a genuine commitment to excellence throughout her pupillage.

“I have every confidence that Akira will make a valuable contribution to the legal community in Bermuda.”

Mr Tetlow said: “Akira has already shown us how able, personable and ambitious a lawyer she is and will continue to be.

“We are thrilled to congratulate her on her Call to the Bar and look forward to seeing Akira develop her legal skill set further whilst further broadening her professional profile.”

Ms McDonald recently started the final seat of Appleby’s training programme, working under partner Richard Collis in the firm’s corporate department.