A man who credited his desire to help people and his close-knit support system for guiding him through his career path was Called to the Bermuda Bar.

Nathan Figureido, 28, was welcomed to Bermuda’s legal community during a Commercial Court ceremony packed with family, friends and colleagues.

Mr Figureido thanked his loved ones and dear friends during a heartfelt speech that left many in the room dabbing their eyes.

He told the court: “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Mr Figureido, from Warwick, has worked at Conyers for a year and gained his expertise working in litigation, corporate law and property.

He told the court that he started his studies in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, explaining: “When the world shut down, I found myself with ample time to consider what I want to do with my future.”

He added: “I have many interests and I’ve always struggled to find a career that held my interest.

“However, I’ve always known that I wanted to help people.”

Mr Figureido said he initially hoped to work in psychology, similar to his parents, who were both educators.

He credited his mother for shaping his career path after watching her launch the charity BSmart Foundation, which assisted children with learning differences.

Mr Figureido said: “Her journey has not been easy, but watching her rise after each setback straightened my resolve and shaped my path that led me to psychology and, ultimately, law.”

He went to school at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology.

However, Mr Figureido admitted that he found himself dissatisfied in psychology because he felt he could not address the root causes of certain problems.

He explained: “I can study theories and interventions all day long, but I often felt a disconnect from enacting systemic change.”

Mr Figureido said, with the support of his parents, he decided to pursue law to “become an advocate and enact systemic change”.

He travelled across the pond to the University of Bristol in Britain to pursue his master's degree in law and, later, his legal practice course at its University of Law.

He admitted there were some challenges and he faced some burnout, but said he “gritted [his] teeth” and studied as hard as he could.

Mr Figureido credited his friends from Bermuda and at university for keeping him sane until he saw the fruits of his efforts.

He also thanked his father for teaching him “the value of a well-placed joke”.

Mr Figureido further credited his pupil masters and colleagues at Conyers, who helped show him the ropes in court proceedings which helped to build his confidence.

William Cooper, the director of corporate finance at Conyers, noted Mr Figureido’s community service history, which includes his work as a youth counsellor and several volunteer law groups.

He said: “Nathan approaches the work earnestly and thoughtfully, and I believe him to be a person of good character.”

Magistrate Tyrone Chin told the court that he remembered Mr Figureido as a boy who was close friends with his own son.

He noted the moments he spent watching Mr Figureido grow up and spend time with Mr Chin’s family as the moments he cherished.

Mr Chin added: “I am very proud to see him Called to the Bar and to call him a learned friend. I give him the greatest accolades.”