Erika Thomas took evening courses and studied on weekends to pass her law degree while working full-time in her native Brazil.

However, when she married a Bermudian and moved to the island in 2007, her degree was not recognised — but this did stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Ms Thomas continued her studies and was Called to the Bermuda Bar on Friday, having passed the Qualifying Lawyer Transfer Scheme earlier this year.

“Growing up in Brazil, I was constantly blessed with the attention of a loving, ambitious and strict mother as well as a caring family,” the 37-year-old told assembled friends and family.

“I was taught to be obedient, have respect for authority, set high goals and always work hard to achieve my goals. Giving up due to the many challenges I faced was not an option.

“I learnt that sometimes things happen and affect you in a way that you have to change your path and your pace, but these things should not make you ever change your dreams. Dreams have to be pursued.”

Jaqueline MacLellan, of law firm MacLellan & Associates, introduced Ms Thomas, whom she has worked with for almost eight years.

“I have learnt that not only is Erika very hard working, she is also very ambitious, not only for herself but for those around her,” Ms MacLellan said.

“She pushes us all to achieve as much as we can for which I am very grateful.

“I value Erika’s support and friendship both in the office and outside of the office and I am very proud to be here today to support her in her achievements.”

Ms MacLellan also told how Ms Thomas completed her undergraduate degree in computer data processing at 17 before starting work full-time for the Brazilian Government until 2006.

It was during this time that she completed her law degree — a five-year process that included a two-year equivalent of the Legal Practice Course programme.

She graduated in March 2006 and worked as a consultant for other lawyers before finding full-time employment with a law firm that represented a large construction company.

“During this time, Erika came to Bermuda on a vacation to visit her cousin Elaine,” Ms MacLellan said.

“Not only did Erika fall in love with Bermuda but, as luck would have it, she met Craig Thomas, a handsome young man who persuaded her to move to Bermuda and get married in October 2007.”

Because her law degree was not recognised, she worked for Sun Life Financial as a bilingual customer service representative.

“However, the law was Erika’s passion and in September 2009, Erika responded to an ad for an office assistant at MacLellan & Associates.

“It was not a difficult decision for me to make to decide to hire Erika, as I recognised the many advantages Erika’s legal training would provide. And I was proved right!

“Erika has been an invaluable employee over the years with her job description expanding to office manager and then paralegal and every combination of the above.”

Ms Thomas continued her studies and passed the QLTS in February 2017 on her first attempt.

Chief Justice Ian Kawaley welcomed Ms Thomas to the Bar and “congratulated her on getting here the hard way”.

“To my knowledge, you are the first Brazilian qualified Bermudian lawyer to be Called to the Bar,” he said. “There may be others I am not aware of.

“But certainly training in the Portuguese language and then requalifying in the English language is not a feat that too many people can claim to have accomplished.

“And despite all of the support and prayers you have had, I think you deserve credit for being clearly quite an extraordinary person in terms of abilities and also courage and commitment.

“I know that those qualities will stand you in good stead and I am sure you will make a valuable contribution to Bermuda and the Bermuda Bar.”

Ms Thomas, who has accepted a position as associate at MacLellan & Associates, also thanked her family and friends in Bermuda and abroad for helping her reach this point.

“From today, a new path opens up before me,” she said. “I look forward to following the footsteps that my boss has taken with her guidance and support.

“It is my prayer that I be equipped with the required knowledge and wisdom so that I may bring about the best outcome for my clients and may God guide me in this journey.”