Andrew and Anneke Russell called to the Bar

Andrew and Anneke Russell last Friday became only the second couple in St Vincent and the Grenadines to be called at the same time to the local Bar.{{more}}

They were admitted by Justice Wesley James last Friday; attorney Ronald Marks put the petition forward on behalf of Andrew, while the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin Williams did so on behalf of Anneke.

Having been married for less than two months, the young, professional couple says that it made sense to be admitted together.

After all, they graduated from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica together; so, according to the pair, it was just natural that they begin their professional lives together.

They also say that they do not anticipate any conflict as they embark on a highly competitive career.

“I see it as a tremendous advantage,” Andrew, the son of Sterling and June Russell said.

“You have a work place and it is good when you can go and talk things over with your colleagues, but it is better when you can go home and talk something with your wife,” he continued.

He admits that he hopes he never has to encounter her in court, however.

Anneke, a Jamaican national, graduated with a number of awards — twenty-one to be exact — including the Most Outstanding Student of Two Years, Most Outstanding Year II Student, the Chairman’s Prize for the final year students with the best performance in the Law of Evidence and Forensic Medicine, Remedies, and Civil Procedure and Practice II and the Hon. Mr Justice Courtenay Scipio Orr Memorial Prize. The outstanding young woman was named the most outstanding student over two years, in the areas of academic achievement, interest in legal aid, the Norman Manley Law School, and discipline and attitude to society.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus in Barbados and a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School. Prior to this, he attended the St Martin’s Secondary School before going on to the Division of Arts and Sciences of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

But they may never have to face each other in the court room.

Andrew indicated that he has an interest in commercial and public law, while Anneke has an interest in criminal law, although they agree that they were both advised that at this stage in their career, it would be best to generalize and get a feel for everything that there is out there.

And on their big day, the couple offered some advice to those thinking about pursuing a degree in law, saying that they ought to go all out in order that they accomplish their dream.

“The first hurdle is getting over that first doubt,” Andrew Russell said.

The late Bertram Stapleton and his wife Theona Stapleton are believed to be the first husband and wife to be called to the bar together in St Vincent and the Grenadines.(DD)