The legal fraternity was plunged into mourning on Monday on learning of the passing of veteran attorney-at-law Valerie Neita-Robertson, King’s Counsel.

Her family refrained from commenting on the cause of death of the 71-year-old advocate who Jamaica Observer sources say had been ailing for some time.

Neita-Robertson was lionised, not only for her outstanding work as an attorney, but for the impact on the dozens of young people whose lives she helped to shape.

For Jabari Wellington — a former Wolmer’s Boys’ School student who is completing a medical degree in Argentina — Neita-Robertson, an alumna of Wolmer’s Girls’ School, played a tremendous role in motivating and supporting many youth from the boys’ school, financially and otherwise.

She was also key in nurturing young attorneys such as John-Mark Reid, a Wolmer’s alumnus.

“Apologies if I cry because I am really going through the emotions right now,” Wellington warned at the beginning of his interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“Aunty Valerie was an angel for me and for many others. One of her goals was to raise men for the future. She was always the woman to give you the tough love but she is always guiding and ensuring that you get there. She said that men are the future and a lot of times we just need a listening ear and a way forward and also somebody in their corner. She never, ever changed from that,” Wellington said.

He described her as a consummate professional who was motherly even to children who weren’t her own.

Wellington said that she ensured that even if young people did not see the potential in themselves, she would encourage them to always put their best foot forward in everything they do.

“I can tell you that she changed my life’s direction because she basically told me that I had a gift for teaching and medicine. She ensured that I stuck to that path. She always impressed upon me to never give up, regardless of the situation, and to push through. She saw me as a medical doctor in the future who probably could change the landscape in Jamaica overall, in terms of health care and how it is that patients are actually treated in Jamaica. She saw that side to me,” he told the Observer.

“She ensured literally that I didn’t give up on my dream because many times I wanted to, and she just continued to encourage and push me and say that it can be done. She always has a saying that once there is a problem, there is a solution to it, no matter how complex or how simple. I called her my second mom because she was a mom to me,” Wellington shared.

He said that Neita-Robertson was kind and selfless beyond measure and “was not looking for anything in return”, adding that she did all of that because she wanted to and because it was just her personality.

Peter Champagnie, KC, said he was emotionally distraught on learning of his colleague’s passing. Champagnie was a member of a legal team led by Neita-Robertson that recently represented three Jamaica Defence Force soldiers who were charged with murder in relation to the May 2010 shooting death of accountant Keith Clarke. The trial ran for roughly seven months during which time Neita-Robertson’s firebrand personality as a senior attorney was on full display.

The soldiers were set free.

“I am beyond words to describe how I feel at this point in time. Miss Neita-Robertson, as many would know, along with myself and other members of the profession were involved in perhaps the longest trial in Jamaica’s history. She was a fine counsel, outstanding in every regard. It is a tremendous loss to the legal fraternity. Valerie was someone we could count on as a team leader to be fearless,” Champagnie said.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn, in her response, described Neita-Robertson as a gladiator in the courtroom. She shared that they both had several battles with each other in court and specifically singled out the case of the Queen against Viris Christie and the Queen against Donald “Zeeks” Phipps, which were both murder matters.

“Valerie was what I would call a gladiator. Some would say a warrior. She gave 150 per cent of her professional skill and herself,” Llewellyn said.

The DPP described her as someone who was fierce, passionate, formidable, and who could be very intimidating.

“You had to be mentally tough and really prepared if you were going up against her. She did her research, she had a lot of court craft in how she handled herself in court and she had a flamboyant style and she was very passionate. When you appeared against her, certainly in the criminal arena, you had to be at your best all the time, for the entire duration of the case — before, during and after.

“She was the quintessential adversary. She took no prisoners when she was up against you in court. Every molecule of her body was all engaged in defence of her client and in fact, also, she was a very good mentor. I have known her for over 30 years and she went out of her way. If she was passing the courtroom and she sees me on my feet or sees me in the courtroom, she would pop in and when she sees that it was a young counsel up against you, she would be right there assisting young counsel. I have had to turn on her and ask her if she is in the case because she is not on the record as being in the case. Gladiator Valerie, there will never be another one like her,” Llewellyn told the Observer.

“However, if you did meet her out of court and you engaged her in talking about her four handsome boys, you could see she was a very loving mother. I once said to her, ‘Valerie, why can’t we see more of that part of you in court?’ and both of us laughed,” Llewellyn added.

Veteran attorney KD Knight, KC, shared that he was very saddened by the passing of an icon at the bar. He described Neita-Robertson as a fearless fighter who was focused on getting justice for her clients. Knight added that he had the pleasure of appearing with Neita-Robertson on several occasions over her long career.

“It was always marked by hard work, analytical thinking, and incisive advocacy. I will certainly miss her. I express my condolences to her family and may her soul rest in peace.

In a statement, Neita-Robertson’s family said it regretted to inform the public of her passing, highlighting that she died peacefully on Monday afternoon.

“Ms Neita-Robertson began her legal career as a junior to the late Hon Anthony Spaulding and Ian Ramsay, QC, before opening her own practice. With 47 years at the bar, she has made a significant impact as a committed criminal defence attorney in the representation of her clients’ interests and rights at all levels of the judicial system. In 2016, Ms Neita-Robertson was appointed to the inner bar as Queen’s Counsel. Long before her QC appointment, Ms Neita-Robertson was recognised as a leader of the bar and the champion of the people’s cause. She has left an enduring legacy advocating for judicial reform and access to justice for all Jamaicans.

“She was well-respected by her peers for her passion, indomitable spirit, resilience, commitment to service and professionalism; all geared towards seeking a just and equitable outcome for the indigent and voiceless. In addition to her legal prowess, Ms Neita Robertson’s commitment to her country and social justice led to her entering representational politics. She served in several capacities including the People’s National Party (PNP) representative as councillor for the August Town Division of Eastern St Andrew; legal advisor to the party, member of the campaign team; and campaign manager in West Rural St Andrew, West Portland, East Rural St Andrew, and Western St Mary. For the 2020 General Election Ms Neita-Robertson was elected to represent the PNP as candidate for West Portland,” the family said.