Guyana’s best graduating law student at HWLS admitted to Bar

…vows to competently, properly represent clients

By Fiona Morrison

Five years of legal studies were no easy feat for 23-year-old Shawn Shewram. With his track record of outstanding academic achievements, having done exceedingly well at regional examinations, he had had a lot to live up to; and he surely did not disappoint.
He graduated from the Trinidad-based Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) last Saturday with a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) — a prerequisite to practice as an Attorney-at-Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean — and was admitted to the local Bar on Thursday.

His Bar call, which was held at the Demerara High Court before acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, was attended by his family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers.
Prominent Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Attorney-at-Law Stephen Roberts, both from the Law Firm of Hughes, Fields and Stoby, presented the young man’s petition for admission.
Shewram, who completed his LEC (with merit), copped the Government of Guyana Prize for Best Performance by a student of Guyana when he graduated from law school last Saturday. He was also awarded the Book Specialists Prize for being the Second Outstanding Year-Two Student; The Cameron & Shepherd Prize for Best Performance by a Guyanese in Civil Procedure & Practice I, and Civil Procedure & Practice II; The H Aubrey Fraser Memorial Prize for Best Performance in Ethics, Rights & Obligations of the Legal Profession; and The Course Director’s Prize for the Best Performance in Probate Practice & Procedure.
The former St Rose’s High School student was the country’s 2017 top performer at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), and is the first recipient of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)/Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Business Studies Award.
He had also placed 10th nationally at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 2015.
Following his graduation from high school, Shewram gained employment at Hughes, Fields, and Stoby, Guyana’s leading law firm, where he gained valuable mentorship from Hughes and other learned lawyers. Recognizing his potential, the law firm granted him a scholarship to read for a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Guyana (UG), which he completed with distinction in 2020, having earned a 3.9/4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
He was also named the UG Law Department’s “best graduating student” for that year. Still on a scholarship from the law firm, he went on to further his studies at HWLS, where he has made the law school’s merit list.
In presenting the petition, prominent Lawyer Nigel Hughes informed the court that, besides being an exceptionally brilliant young man, Shewram is very humble. Shewram has been described as a “normal citizen”. During his five years at the law firm, Hughes has said, Shewram has displayed a good work ethic and a thorough grasp of the law.

Vows
In addressing the court for the first time, Shewram, donned in a black robe, shared that, unlike many of his colleagues, becoming a lawyer was not his childhood dream. Notwithstanding, he said, being an Attorney-at-Law “is a duty that I intend to take seriously, and it is a role that I will execute with the most dedication and discipline.”
He has vowed to utilise all that he has learned in both his legal studies and his work experience at the law firm to contribute positively to the jurisprudence of Guyana. “I vow to competently and properly represent my clients’ interests, while at the same time obeying my overarching duty to the Honourable Court. I truly hope that I can live up to the high standards of excellence that have been set by the Attorneys-at-Law who came before me, and I will carry the baton with dignity and humility for the betterment of Guyana,” he added.
Moreover, he has expressed gratitude to the multitude of persons who supported him in his studies. As cliché as it may sound, Shewram explained that gratitude, for him, is not just about being thankful, but also about being able to appreciate how far one has come.
“…to acknowledge those who helped you get there, note the challenges you’ve made along the way, and return the same kindness to others who may follow you.”
For her part, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire welcomed Shewram to the noble profession, and told him that given his academic excellence, she does not doubt that he would discharge his duties ably.
She reminded him to always remain a student of the law, while urging him to embody integrity, honesty, and courtesy. As she does in all petitions, she cautioned the new lawyer to be mindful of his conduct at the Bar: to always be respectful to clients, the court, and his colleagues.
Though she acknowledged his academic attainments, the Chief Justice told Shewram that she is eagerly waiting to see him in action at the Bar table, advised him to always aspire for excellence, and wished him well in his future endeavours.