Chelsea Manasseh admitted to Bar before Justice Isaacs-Marcus

Standing before the High Court with family, friends, and mentors at her side, Chelsea Manasseh was on Thursday formally admitted to the Bar of Guyana by Madam Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.
Manasseh was presented by her petitioning attorney, Clevaun Humphrey. Also appearing with her during the petition were attorneys Bernard Da Silva and Jermaine Jervis.
In delivering her admission address to the court, Manasseh described the occasion as one of the most meaningful milestones of her life.
“I stand before you today deeply humbled and profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have my petition heard and my hopeful admission to the Bar.”
She dedicated her achievement first to her faith, expressing thanks for God’s guidance throughout her legal studies.
“Every challenge, every moment of doubt, and every success was made possible only by His continued favour and mercy.”
Manasseh offered emotional acknowledgements to her parents, whom she credited with sustaining her through the financial and emotional challenges of law school.
“Tuition, rent, and groceries were all covered, and I was never without the support and love of the people who cared for me most. I will be eternally grateful for the sacrifices you made to make my dreams possible.”
She also thanked her sister for long nights of studying, calling her “one of my biggest driving forces.”
Manasseh expressed deep appreciation for her mentors — Mr. Humphrey and Mr. Jervis — noting that their guidance during her in-service period shaped her understanding of the profession.
“There are so many lessons I have learned under the wings of these two incredible attorneys—lessons I will carry throughout my career.”
She further extended gratitude to Attorney Da Silva and Pernell Cummings for their encouragement and timely support.
Reflecting on her early uncertainty about choosing a career path, Manasseh said she once feared being tied to one profession for life. It was her mother who first told her she should consider the law, a suggestion she initially doubted. But through university, law school, and practical training, she found clarity.
“I once feared being tied to one thing forever, but I’ve since come to see that law is not one thing at all… And somewhere along the way, I not only learned to appreciate the law—I began to love it.”
She recounted moments where she questioned her path, asking God for signs.
“Every single time I felt like giving up, somehow, I made it through. Looking back, I can truly say: this must be for me.”
Manasseh, an avid music lover, said her passion for music has helped fuel her personal and academic journey. Quoting the song Superpower from the game Valorant, she noted:
“Today,” she said, “I have leapt, and I am learning to soar.”
In closing, Manasseh pledged to uphold the responsibilities of the legal profession with integrity.
“I promise to serve with humility, diligence, and fairness, constantly striving to live up to the ideals of this profession.”
She quoted Audrey Hepburn to describe her vision for her legal career: “You have two hands—one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Manasseh told the court she intends to use both “in service, to help many, to uphold justice, and to contribute meaningfully to the profession.”
Her petition was then granted by Justice Isaacs-Marcus, making November 13, 2025, the official date of her admission to the Bar.