Gemma Morrison ? called to the Bermuda Bar at 24 ? is changing the traditional image of the legal profession as an old boy?s club run by men.

Ms Morrison follows the path set by the first Bermudian woman called to the bar Dame Lois Browne Evans and Diana Kempe, the retired senior partner of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe (now Appleby Spurling Hunter) who broke into a male preserve.

Ms Morrison?s road to the legal profession started as a student at Warwick Academy when she obtained a work placement at Conyers, Dill & Pearman and her appetite for helping clients and drawing on specialist knowledge thereafter blossomed.

She attended Napier University in Edinburgh in 1999 and graduated in 2002 with a BA law degree and then attended the College of Law in the UK and obtained a post graduate diploma in law and her Legal Practice Certificate in 2004.

Now an Associate Attorney at Cox Hallett Wilkinson Ms Morrison said being called to the bar is only beginning to sink in.

Last year during her summer placement at Cox Hallett Wilkinson she worked under lawyers Harry Kessaram and Jonathan Betts where she gained invaluable experience assisting on corporate and litigation matters.

?My parents, Bill and Caroline, are extremely supportive of my endeavours. It has been a long road but the hard work was worth the sacrifice,? Ms Morrison said after Friday?s ceremony.

When asked if Bermuda is being flooded by lawyers, she responded: ?Bermuda can never have too many lawyers. The growth of international business and the strength of the local property market means we can provide a valuable service.?

?This is a rewarding career in an ever changing industry and I want to learn as much I can. I enjoy working at Cox Hallett Wilkinson because my role is quite varied and there is a lot of client contact and I enjoy working as part of a team who are very supportive in giving me advice and assistance.?

Although she concedes her work is demanding Ms Morrison is a keen equestrian who spends a considerable part of her non working hours at a local stable.