Two women followed in the footsteps of 143 high-achieving female lawyers before them in being called to the Bar of Bermuda yesterday.

Maria Sofianos and Zakkiyah Daniels were praised by their legal colleagues in separate ceremonies at Supreme Court for reaching a point in their training where they can practise their skills there.

Addressing a courtroom packed with well-wishers, Ms Sofianos, 38, described the hard work she had to put in after deciding to go to law school at the age of 35.

Describing the original inspiration behind this move, she explained her mother had regularly watched the TV series "Crown Court" when she was a child.

"I didn't always understand what was happening, but I was fascinated by the men in strange wigs. I could not imagine standing here wearing one all these years later," she admitted.

Ms Sofianos, from Warwick, worked for exempt company Marine Management prior to law school. She is also a former president of the charity Big Brothers and Big Sisters and still serves on the board of directors.

She completed a two year degree at the University of Kent in England, then a year at the Inns of Court school of law in London. Having lived in Bermuda since moving here with her parents as a baby, she returned last year and completed a pupillage within the Ministry of Justice.

During an emotional speech, Ms Sofianos thanked her family, in particular her parents Athanasios (Arthur) Sofianos and Valerie Sofianos, and her brother Paul, who became seriously ill during her training and is awaiting a kidney transplant.

She is currently working as a Crown counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions, and Acting Director Juan Wolffe described her as exactly the right person for the job due to her "refreshing attitude and opinions".

Meanwhile, her former pupil master Susan Moore-Williams of the Legal Aid department praised her organisational skills, revealing that after working with Ms Sofianos "I feel like I have been organised to within an inch of my life".

In the second call to the Bar, Kelvin Hastings-Smith, counsel from Appleby, humorously applied for Ms Daniels to the Bermuda Bar as he recalled the new flower arrangements that arrived every week from different admirers. He also sang her praises as a young woman who worked diligently on the Rebecca Middleton judicial review and who is an example for young Bermudians.

"She appeared in the Bermuda press and the world press as part of Cherie Booth's team. Her written work is very good and she is very talented. Ms Daniels is a sterling example of for young Bermudians aspiring to the law," he said.

Ms Daniels attended Port Royal and Warwick Academy before completing a double degree in Business Administration and Community Health at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.

After a year on a fashion course in Atlanta, Ms Daniels changed directions, deciding to study law at BPP Law School in London. In her speech upon being accepted to the Bar, Ms Daniels said her mother was surprised at her decision.

"My mother knew I was special when I used to forge her name on the pages of my homework so imagine her surprise when she heard that I wanted to be a lawyer."

In a moment of humour Ms Daniels, thanked her uncle Dennis for his credit worthiness, her sister Alnisha Simmons and brother-in-law Kai Simmons, Barclay Simmons a friend and mentor as well as her friends Tomika Harrel and Melissa Morton.

One poignant moment occurred when she remembered her friend, Nakia Butterfield who passed away while she was studying.

Right now she works in the litigation department for Appleby. Later this year she will be in their property department followed by trusts as part of the firm's two-year trainee program. Ms Daniels, however, plans to return to litigation after the program.

Attorney General Phillip Perinchief, who is a family friend of Ms Daniels said: "I am always happy to see young Bermudians, especially young women join the Bar. I am even more pleased that Ms Daniels plans to continue in litigation."