Dancer & entrepreneur now among Guyana’s newest lawyers

Shania Persaud is a dancer and small business owner. On Wednesday, she was admitted to the local bar and is now among Guyana’s newest lawyers.

Persaud’s petition was presented before Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC. She was surrounded by her family, friends and colleagues.

Days before, Persaud graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

Persaud told the News Room that she always knew she was going to pursue law; her mother insisted on it.

So, she went about immersing herself in the field as a way of honouring her mother’s dreams.

Along the way though, Persaud realised there was an innate passion for it.

“Throughout [my time at the University of Guyana] and Hugh Wooding, that’s kinda when I developed a passion and love for law.

“I always grew up wanting to help people and I think that’s a career that helps me to do that,” the lawyer said.

But studying law wasn’t all she did.

In fact, Persaud has been dancing with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha since she was just eight years old. That saw her participating in many of the iconic Naya Zamana productions and other events organised by the Sabha.

In 2020, she also started a small business – the Cheap Thrills gift shop. According to Persaud, this was a way for her to earn some income to help offset the heavy costs of law school.

During the course of her studies, Persaud found herself balancing her dance life, managing her small business, interning at a law firm and studying. Not unexpectedly, it was an exhausting venture.

“I would go to work, then go to UG, then go to dancing, and after that, (do my) assignments, pack orders and the cycle would repeat,” Persaud said.

She believes she was able to manage well because of the support she got from her parents, two sisters, friends and even her dog.

Now, Persaud works with the Ministry of Legal Affairs.