Barrister-at-Law, Kerith Tristan Kentish, is the newest legal professional carrying forward the legacy of Anguilla’s well-respected and long-established family of lawyers, originally known as Lake & Kentish. The 26-year-old lawyer, who was called to the Anguilla Bar on November 1, as an Attorney-at-Law of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court,is a partner in the Chambers of Joyce Kentish-Egan & Associates – his Aunt’s Law Firm – where he did his in-service training.
He is the son of Mr George L. Kentish and Mrs.Civilla Kentish of Tanglewood.
His application to the Court was moved by Mrs Kentish-Egan before Acting High Court Judge, Madam Justice Cheryl Mathurin. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus with an LLB Degree (Second Class Honours) obtained on July 1, 2009; an LLM Degree from Dalhousie University, obtained on May 17, 2011; and a Legal Certificate of Education from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, which he received on September 7, 2012.
“I can assure the Court that it is a pleasure to be the person moving this application on behalf of my nephew and to that extent I can satisfy the Court that he is who he is,” Mrs. Kentish-Egan told the Judge. “I have cradled him from birth and I have watched him grow and mature.” She noted that he had obtained eight CXC passes at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and was awarded a full scholarship by the Government of Anguilla to study law. She also observed that he was one of a number of Anguillian students who had distinguished themselves in the Leeward Islands Debating Competition and had gone on to become lawyers. She said that, “having watched and moulded him” at her Chambers, “he has all the hallmarks of application, dedication and commitment to become, if he continues on the path, a successful Attorney.” She stated that “the challenges are his to take up and the foundations are his to build upon.”
She continued: “I believe it is fitting for me to recommend to the Court that the applicant, Kerith Kentish, my nephew, is a fit and proper person, both character-wise and having attained the professional certification to receive your Ladyship’s sanction to be called at the Anguilla Bar as a Barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.” She added that he was raised well and was ingrained into the values of a good citizen of Anguilla as well as the values of good family traditions. She hoped that he would continue to demonstrate those very sound values inculcated in him.
Vice Chairperson of the Bar Association, Barrister Josephine Gumbs-Connor, seconded Mr. Kentish’s application to be called to the Bar. She joined Mrs. KentishEgan in confirming the new Barrister’s qualifications and other documents for admission to the Bar.
Mr. Kentish was grateful to his family, colleagues and friends for their support; and the Anguilla Government for funding his studies. He was particularly thankful to his Aunt and Senior partner, Mrs. Joyce Kentish-Egan, for her leadership and influence in his life, legal education and practice.
He gave this pledge to the Acting Judge and the Court: “I respectfully submit myself – Kerith Tristan Kentish – as an Officer of this Honourable Court; and I vow to treat clients, colleagues, court officials, witnesses and the Bench with courtesy and respect; to be supportive of the activities of the Bar; to be punctual; to observe my ethical duties to the profession; my duties to my clients, my duties to the Court and the administration of justice; and I wish to thank the Court for admitting me to the Bar and hopefully for the kind words of wisdom that will shortly follow.”
His address was followed by words of congratulations, led by his Aunt, who commended him on his newest triumph, but which she said was just his first baby-step in his chosen career. “I believe you have every attribute for success, but I must warn you…that the road to success is littered with challenges, impediments, struggles, setbacks, but the final overcoming was always a matter of character,” she said among other things.
Barrister-at-Law Mrs. Josephine Gumbs-Connor told the young lawyer that she had every confidence that he would succeed. She cautioned him, as younger lawyers were entering the legal profession, to be a consummate professional. “Your reputation is not just what happens in the Court. Equally, or more so, it is what happens outside of the Court because it is those that see you on the outside of the Court, that will determine whether you will be their lawyer…”
President of the Bar, Barrister Yvette Wallace, of Keithley Lake & Associates, reminded Mr. Kentish that although he had done extremely well in terms of his formal education process, his profession had only just begun and that he would have many learning experiences. “It is continual education, with respect to the law, if we are to perform the function that this noble profession has called on us to do,” she added in offering him best wishes on behalf of the Bar and her firm.
Barrister, Jean Dyer, spoke about her close working relationship with Mr. Kentish who kept her abreast with his studies and other related issues. She commended him for his consultations and said that with divine help, hard work and diligent application there was no question in her mind that he would be a first rate Attorney.
She was joined by Barrister Eustella Fontane of Caribbean Associated Attorneys who expressed congratulations to Kentish and welcomed him to the Bar.
Justice Mathurin told Mr. Kentish that his exposure to the art of debate had assisted him greatly in his clever and confident submission to the Court; and she applauded him for his accomplishments. She said that based on his surname, “Kentish”, and his history, that he was entering the legal profession “on the wings of a well-established and respected name in the annals of the halls of justice, not only in Anguilla, but throughout the region.” She said, “Dame Bernice Lake QC, of blessed memory, paved the way, endowing you with the responsibility of maintaining a high standard of practice and integrity.” She added that he must have a responsibility and a fire for his work,but must show compassion and understanding at all times.
The Acting Judge also gave words of welcome, encouragement and admonition to Ms Keisha Aneike Hiles, whom she admitted to the Bar in Chambers earlier. Mr.Hiles is a Barrister-at-Law at Caribbean Associated Attorneys.
