Single mother Sophia Findlay admitted to practice law

By Isanella Patoir

The recent graduates of the Hugh Wooding Law School are being admitted to the local bar in Guyana.

One of them is Sophia Findlay, who became emotional while being admitted to the bar Wednesday at the High Court.

Sophia said her journey was not easy but because of her son, she kept pushing and is now an Attorney-at-law at Hughes, Fields and Stoby.

She was admitted to the bar before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.  Her petition was presented to the Court by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.

The Chief Justice told Findlay that she must commit to the hard work success entails and she cannot afford to slack off now, as she has much to offer the profession.

“You may get tired but I know you will manage because of all the qualifications you bring to the profession.

“You bring a wealth of experience; don’t lose, don’t disregard it, use all that you have to ensure a successful career,” the Chief Justice said.

She was also encouraged by the Chief Justice to conduct thorough research so that she can serve her clients and the people of Guyana as lives will be impacted by her advice.

The 34-year-old mother of one says her journey was challenging and that there was a lot of sleepless nights and times of failure.

“First of all it’s a surreal moment; it is something that I have always dreamt of and to have the opportunity to be here and to actually live this reality…I am just ecstatic.

“I feel blessed,” Sophia said.

She became emotional in Court when she credited her achievement to her son Aedyn, who had to move to Trinidad while she pursued her studies.

According to Sophia, even though she had the opportunity to attend law school, she would not have gone if her son couldn’t go with her.

“I always told him, I said – we are doing this together, you are working hard for your high school and mommy is working hard for her LEC (Legal Education Certificate) and together we made a dream team.

“He is at the Bishop’s High School and I am here. This is for him,” an emotional Sophia said.

During high school at the Annandale Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara, Sophia said she was involved in public speaking and always knew she wanted to practice law.

“I’ve always been an advocate for justice. I’ve wanted to and always spoken for the voiceless.

“I’ve always wanted to be that instrument for change and I believe that this is the platform that I needed so I can execute what I’ve always wanted and what I’ve always attempted to do, that’s what law means to me.”

Sophia will be practising in criminal, corporate and oil and gas law.