“We need his energy in our country” – AG

…as new lawyer with passion for being change-maker admitted to the Bar

In a world that is rapidly changing, individuals must equip themselves with the necessary skills to be successful. Attorney-at-Law Lloyd Robinson understands this all too well, and is driven by his passion to be an agent of change who will serve to develop Guyana, the land of his birth.
The practising lawyer in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has hopes of returning home in the near future to practice. In that regard, his petition to enter the profession in Guyana was presented and accepted last Friday at the Victoria Law Courts in Georgetown.

Attorney-at-Law Lloyd Robinson (second from left) is flanked by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards (second from right) and Chief Justice Roxane George, SC

The two women at the helm of Guyana’s judiciary—Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice Roxane George, SC—presided over his petition which was presented by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC.
Robinson hails from the mining town of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Nandlall, in addressing the court, said that the investments in the young lawyer that were made by his parents have not gone in vain, since he has traversed a path of academic excellence.

Robinson attended the Mae’s Secondary School where he attained 11 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). He then commenced Sixth Form studies at The Bishops’ High School, copping eight subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
He read for and obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Upper Second-Class Honours) from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. He was awarded a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), Trinidad, on September 4, 2020.
According to Nandlall, during his post-secondary studies, Robinson demonstrated an appetite for leadership and for public endeavours and was part of a series of associations, including the university’s debating and Guyanese students’ association.
While at HWLS, he was part of the student representative council and participated in the prestigious Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) International Mooting Competition in which his team was awarded the prize for the best academic institution.
Nandlall said Robinson demonstrates his intellectual and academic poise by authoring a module on oil and gas and did an independent research paper titled: “The Hope of Eldorado’s Black Gold”. He has also co-authored another publication titled: “All Eyes On The Oil But What Of Our Soil”.
According to the Attorney General, Robinson plans to pursue a Master’s in law, and he has no doubt, based on his proclivities, he will proceed to complete a doctorate in law.
Nandlall told the lawyer that though he is entering the profession at a very challenging time, he has no doubt he will be successful in all his endeavours. Given the country’s development trajectory, he urged the lawyer to return home because Guyana is the place he needs to be.
“We need his skill, we need his scholarship, we need his energy in our country,” said Nandlall.

Welcome
The Chief Justice gave Robinson a hearty welcome to the Bar and shared that it gives her “particular pleasure” as usual to preside over the admission of one who attended her alma mater, The Bishops’ High School.
“I do believe that Mr Robinson has established himself as one who is very interested and committed to the learning of the law. I have been advised that Mr Robinson has established himself, even before formally entering the profession, at the Court of Appeal of Guyana, where he excelled in assisting the honourable Judges and the staff,” Justice George added.
“Clearly, you have an excellent foundation, a foundation that you are continuing to build on,” said Justice George to the young lawyer, while reminding him of the importance of being respectful to the court, his colleagues, and his client whomever they may be.
“Ensure that you continue in this trajectory,” she advised him. While noting that the “law is a very jealous mistress”, the Chief Justice encouraged Robinson to continue finding time to do discourse, “so that we can all learn and teach each other.”
Justice George continued, “Because of your scholastic ability, you will contribute positively to the development of the profession in Guyana, to the development of the jurisprudence in Guyana…You have a very, very important role to play…”
“All the best for a long and successful career,” said the Chief Justice in her closing remarks.

Vowed faithfully
Meanwhile, Robinson, in brief remarks, vowed to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon him. He said no duty is more important, than that of returning thanks.
He shared this quote from Albert Pike: “When we achieve, we usually do so because others have helped. What we do ourselves die with us, what we do for others and the world, remains, and is immortal.”
Against this backdrop, he foremost extended gratitude to God, then his parents and to his mentor, Chancellor Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.
“Mom, dad what you have done for me shall transcend and our future generations shall be better because of it. I thank you for the sacrifice, the constant hustle, the sleepless nights. I thank you for never giving up the fight…” he said.
Robinson added, “I enter this profession with love for the law and with a passion to be a change agent, that serves to develop our nation.”