At just 23 years old, Sufeena Supaul’s quiet yet powerful determination has taken her from the small village of Auchlyne in East Berbice Corentyne to the esteemed halls of the New Amsterdam High Court, where she was officially admitted to the bar on Wednesday.
The historic moment was marked by a ceremony attended by prominent legal figures, including Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who presented Supaul’s application.
Supaul’s story began long before her formal legal education. Growing up in a close-knit family of five—her parents and two brothers—she was known for her inquisitive nature.
It was this curiosity, combined with her ever-growing interest in the law, that set her on a path toward becoming a lawyer.
She jokes that her initial inspiration came from being “overtalkative,” but it was in jest that the seed for her future legal career was planted.
“This was a decision that stemmed from my overtalkative and curious nature as a child,” Supaul reflected during her speech.
“Suggestions in jest that being a lawyer would suit me quickly turned into a dream and culminated into a goal.”
Supaul’s dream was not simply to become a lawyer, but to enact meaningful change in her community and beyond. Her ambition was driven by a deep desire to use the law as a tool for justice and progress.
From the early days at Auchlyne Primary School, she displayed exceptional potential. She continued to excel at Berbice High School after securing a place following the NGSA exams in 2012.
But it was at J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School where she truly shone, securing an impressive 17 passes in her CSEC examinations—an accomplishment that set her apart and solidified her academic reputation.
Supaul continued to push herself academically, eventually enrolling at the University of Guyana and later the Hugh Wooding Law School, where her hard work and dedication continued to earn her accolades.
Throughout her journey, Supaul’s family has been a constant source of encouragement and strength. She speaks fondly of the unwavering support from her parents, grandparents, and extended family, who have always believed in her potential.
“It is because of them that I am standing here today,” Supaul said with a smile.
“Without their support, I could not have made it this far.”
She also paid tribute to her mentors and educators, acknowledging the crucial role they played in shaping her career.
Her lecturers from both the University of Guyana and Hugh Wooding Law School, as well as legal luminaries like Attorney General Nandlall and Senior Counsel Nigel Niles, were highlighted as pillars of guidance in her success.
Now officially a lawyer, Supaul is keenly aware of the weight her new role carries. In her speech, she spoke with grace and maturity about the responsibility she has taken on, not just to her clients, but to society as a whole.
“I am strongly aware of the responsibilities which come along with this profession,” she said. “I will be guided by my moral compass, general ethics, and empathy in fulfilling my role as an advocate with integrity and honesty for the people and to the Courts.”
She spoke passionately about her ambition to work alongside the legal community, contributing meaningfully to the wider judicial sphere in Guyana.
“I look forward to working with and alongside the accomplished and successful colleagues of this profession,” she concluded. “I aspire to contribute to the legal community and the wider judicial sphere in a meaningful manner.”
For many, Supaul’s journey may seem like an extraordinary one, but for her, it’s only the beginning.
Her story is one of hard work, resilience, and the belief that even the smallest villages can produce some of the brightest legal minds.
The post Village dreams now a legal reality: The inspiring journey of Sufeena Supaul appeared first on News Room Guyana.
