the Bermuda Bar Association.

Bermudian Helen Elizabeth Cooper was yesterday ushered into the Island's legal community during a Call to the Bar ceremony in the Supreme Court.

Lawyer Nicholas Dill Jr., who made the application, told a courtroom full of Ms Cooper's family, friends and colleagues that she was highly qualified to join Bermuda's legal fraternity.

Ms Cooper, a former Bermuda High School for Girls pupil, obtained her bachelor's degree in history from Columbia University in New York. While in New York, she also worked for a stint at ABC News.

Ms Cooper then attended law school in London, passing her bar exam in 1994.

In addition to being fluent in French, Czech and Russian, it was revealed that she also took part in a human rights conference in Guyana.

Ms Cooper, who has also been called to the bar in Lincoln's Inn, England, will pursue a career in litigation at Conyers, Dill and Pearman.

Chief Justice Austin Ward expressed his pleasure at Ms Cooper's decision to specialise in litigation.

"I'm glad that you're going to be active in litigation,'' Mr. Justice Ward said. "We seldom see members from your firm here.'' During her address, Ms Cooper said Bermuda's legal community, Constitution and its relationship with the Privy Council made it a "unique and interesting place to practise law''.

JOINING THE CLUB -- Bermuda's newest lawyer Helen Cooper will pursue a career in litigation with Nicholas B. Dill Jr.'s (right) firm Conyer's, Dill and Pearman.