TWO hundred and twelve graduates of the Norman Manley Law School were added to the number of attorneys practising in the country when they were called to the bar over a four-day period earlier this month.

They included two former teenAGE Observer writers: Talia Soares and Andre Marriot-Blake. Soares, who co-hosts television entertainment show Intense, told Career & Education that while she hasn’t yet landed a job in the legal field, she hopes to find one that allows her the latitude of practising and doing television at the same time.

“I hope to practise in the areas of media, entertainment, and intellectual property, but I also have an interest in contract and civil matters,” she says.

Marriott-Blake, meanwhile, is a Jamaica Youth Ambassador — Caricom. He has been interning with a well-known firm since graduation and hopes it will materialise into a full time position in January.

“I was also recently invited to interview for associate attorney positions at a few other firms regionally and locally. I expect by January to be certain where my permanent professional home will be,” he said.

Regarding the area in which he intends to practise, the young man said: “Because of my broad interest base, I wish to be a general practitioner for the time being, with a focus on criminal and civil advocacy, as well as conveyancing.

I do, however, have an avid interest in intellectual property, environmental and family law. I suspect that after a year or two I may be more inclined to specialise.” Asked what’s next, Marriot-Blake signalled his intention to put his stamp on the legal profession and mentioned plans for advanced study.

“The focus now is to make my mark in the legal profession as an attorney known for strident advocacy, high ethical standing, efficiency, respect for seniority, and continuous contribution to the advancement of the profession and to Caribbean jurisprudence.

I do desire to pursue further studies eventually, but no sooner than 2017; perhaps a Master of Laws or another degree within the remit of sustainable development, preferably at a UK-based institution.

Soares has similar goals with respect to academic and professional development. “I hope to pursue my masters soon, and to also become fluent in another language.

Professionally, I will continue to pursue my dreams, ie, continuing in media and entertainment, and to practice as an attorney at law where I’ll use my story, voice, passion and purpose to help and impact the lives of others positively and in a meaningful way.

(I also) hope to become an entrepreneur as I believe the sky is the limit. I have many more goals, so the best is yet to come,” she said.

Soares was called to the bar and robed by Rose-Marie Duncan Ellis of Duncan Ellis & Company, while Marriott- Blake was called by Audrey Allen and robed by Alando Terrelonge.