IN JAMAICA: Tavares-Finson, Neita-Robertson conferred with the title of Queen’s Counsel (QC)

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

NOTED defence attorneys Tom Tavares-Finson and Valerie Neita-Robertson have been admitted to the inner bar.

The two were conferred with the title of Queen’s Counsel (QC) last Thursday at a ceremony at the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston. The appointments, which were made by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on the recommendation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, took effect on April 7.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (second Left) and Attorney
 General Marlene Malahoo-Forte (second right) with
 distinguished attorneys Valerie Neita-Robertson and
 Tom Tavares-Finson after they were admitted to the Inner
 Bar at a ceremony at the Supreme Court, downtown
 Kingston, last Thursday.Photo: RobinsonLionel Rookwood

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and members of his government, the Opposition, the legal fraternity as well as family and friends of the two attorneys crammed Court One of the Supreme Court to witness the robing.

Neita-Robertson was proposed by her cousin Queen’s Counsel K Churchill Neita, and Tavares-Finson by Frank Phipps, QC, after which they were both robed and invited by Chief Justice Zaila McCalla to take their seats at the Inner Bar. McCalla, while presiding over the ceremony that ran over an hour, commended the attorneys on their appointment and urged them to continue being an example to their juniors.

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, during her tribute, hailed the attorneys as two of the legal fraternity’s gladiators who advocate for justice.

“Mrs Neita-Robertson is a fast- calibre pace bowler. When you face her coming to deliver you know that you are going to get a bouncer, a throat cutter… You have to be able to stand your ground. I wish today to pay tribute to Mrs Neita-Robertson. That great charmer (Tavares-Finson) is like the classic spinner. He uses his interpersonal skills to charm, to lure you into a sense of security,” Llewellyn compared.

She added that Neita-Robertson pays attention to detail and is always reminding her colleagues that they are on call in the cause for justice.

She added that both attorneys are her seniors and mentors in and outside of court. more