New barrister and attorney Deborah Correia is looking forward to a challenging future in law after being called to the Bermuda Bar.

Ms Correia said she chose the day after Remembrance Day for the ceremony at Supreme Court because this November 11 marked the ninth anniversary of the death of her mother, Jean McCallan.

"She is, I know, with us in spirit, and one that I spoke to on many occasions whilst studying for finals. I always asked her to help guide my hand and my mind to give the right responses and to give me strength to not give up."

Ms Correia was introduced to the Court by Wakefield Quin director Richard Horseman, who also represented the Bermuda Bar Association. Senior Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester represented the Attorney General's chambers.

The Bar ceremony was also attended by Ms Correia's husband Norman, goddaughter and niece Lyndsey Arorash, sister Kim McCallan and father Billy McCallan.

Mr. Horseman said, "We're extremely pleased to have called Ms Correia to the Bar. She's had a long history of working with law firms and has gained great practical experience.

"Debbie's shown herself to be diligent and conscientious pupil and I have no doubt she will succeed in her quest to be a successful lawyer."

Ms Correia was educated at Northlands Secondary School and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice with Merit from the Bermuda College.

She earned her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Kent from 2003 to 2008, where she was also a Student Ambassador for Bermuda. She received her Legal Practice Certificate last year from BPP University, and is currently completing her Masters in Law.

Receiving her grounding and basic introduction to law with Appleby from 2001 to 2007, Ms Correia joined Wakefield Quin for two years as a summer law student, and then as a law pupil from 2009.

Her pupilage was conducted under Pupil Master Jai Pachai as well as Richard Horseman, Dennis Dwyer and Katie Richards in the areas of civil litigation and estates.

Other studies included personal injury, medical negligence, mental health, probate, family matters and debt collection; Ms Correia worked further under the guidance of Michelle Stone, one of the Island's leaders in property law.

Ms Correia works now in the litigation, estates and property department of Wakefield Quin. She said: "My call to the Bermuda Bar represented to me finality to a long hard road to a new career path.

"It was a proud day for not just me but my family and many friends that have stood by me and I'm looking forward to a rewarding and challenging future in law."