After 30 years in corporate Jamaica, many people would pack up work and retire comfortably. Not so Jem Davis (formerly Woolery). She began with the then Cable & Wireless (C&W) fresh out of sixth form and began her climb up the ladder to success, gaining her BSc and MBA degrees along the way. And, on Thursday November 20 she was called to the bar, having developed an interest in law over the years.

Davis' story is in stark contrast to Anna Harry, a 23-year-old associate of Nunes Scholefield DeLeon and Co, who is new to the working world and her colleague who at 30-something has transitioned from her first career to pursue her passion for law.

Davis describes herself as a student for life, because she firmly believes no one is ever too old to learn new things plus, from as far as she can recall, "I was the one always buying out the arguments and solving little conflicts," the former head girl of Russea's High School told Flair in an interview. She also headed customer relations and industrial relations at Cable & Wireless.

Right time

"I found myself good at it and having not opted to do law when my children were younger, in 2001 when I left C&W, I felt the time was right," she said. After some rest and travel, Davis began her external three-year law degree with the University of London. She sat the exams in Jamaica and followed those with the entrance exam for the Norman Manley Law School where she spent the final two years.

Davis will concentrate on commercial law and intellectual property, and already is being actively pursued by one of the most respected legal organisations in Jamaica. She wants to be a commercial arbitrator because being a trained mediator, she is no stranger to problem solving (outside the courts).

Married to Rae Davis, retired head of the University of Technology, she feels that law is an extension of herself, and is committed to the process of mediation. But more important at this stage of her life, she has an interest in public service. "I am comfortable with where I am now, it's no longer a question of how much money I can make, but about self-actualisation," she said.

So how was the process of blending in with students half her age at the law school? "We bonded well, there was good cross-fertilisation, I was in a 'big sister' role, learning from them while they looked to me for guidance and leadership. The differences were not so evident at all."

She also acted as co-chair of the last Norman Manley lecture with Vernon Daley, journalist and lawyer. She won a prize for her efforts in this regard.

Davis holds strong views on current topical issues of hanging and abortion. She believes that as long as there are no health threats, a woman has the right to choose whether she wants an abortion.

On hanging

On the question of hanging, Davis thinks that given our high murder rate and with the pressure that we will get from the international community, we should swiftly move to a system of restorative justice. "Depending on the severity of the offence, let offenders of very serious crimes work to pay their debt to the victims' families and the society, many people can be rehabilitated, but the process needs supervision. It is now more cost generating rather than getting to the core of what causes people to commit crimes.

For the long term, she hopes that she can contribute to shortening the delays in the court system and make a difference in mediation and dispute resolution. She serves on the education committee of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and is vice-president of her alumni association.

Anna Harry is ready to take on the challenges of her profession. - Contributed

Anna Harry

Anna Harry is only 23 years old but, unlike Davis, she has wanted to be a lawyer all her life. "I never thought of anything else and television series like Matlock, Perry Mason and L.A. Law have been part of my influence," she told Flair, just days before being called to the bar on November 20.

On hanging ... "Depending on the severity of the offence, let offenders of very serious crimes work to pay their debt to the victims' families and society ..."
Born in Nigeria to parents who are teachers, the Hampton High School graduate admitted that she loves to figure things out and work through problems. Her focus at the moment is intellectual property, but she has an interest in trust matters. "I am liking what I am doing and enjoying actually practising law, rather than learning about it," Harry said.

Interacting with experts in their field is a lot more fascinating than she thought it would be, and she is happy with her choice of law firm. "I enjoy what i am doing and really appreciate that there is much to be said for actually practising law, as opposed to only learning about it in the classroom. Particularly in my field of focus I find that practising adds a whole new dimension to what is in the texts," Harry said.

"I had never worked at Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon & Co before, but I had always liked what i heard about the vast learning opportunities and the familial atmosphere from other persons who had done internships here. It's not just a place to work," said Harry.

THE EXPERIENCE

On issues affecting her chosen field and the law, Harry said crime is the biggest blot on Jamaica's landscape. She pointed out that she felt much safer in Barbados where she studied for two years, than she does in Jamaica, and longs for the day when the high crime rate becomes a distant memory. "While in Barbados, I had relative peace of mind, incidents happened, but they weren't so frequent that they were in your face. I also found the mix of nationalities interesting while I was there," she said.

Career-wise, Harry has thought about writing and teaching at some point in the future, but for now she is focussing on working hard to be an excellent lawyer and spending time with her family.

Arlene Williams has made a change in her career from business to law. - Contributed

Arlene Williams

Like Davis, Arlene Williams is in transition from one career to the other; the only difference is that Williams made the decision to switch at a much younger age. After majoring in international relations and management studies, she spent two years with the South Eastern Regional Health Authority before returning to study something that had been her first love in 2003.

The daughter of Thornton, St Elizabeth who was also called to the bar with Harry and Davis, told Flair "I wanted to be a lawyer since I was at Hampton High for Girls." The idea of working hard to achieve goals is not alien to her nature, so she studied while working and finally made it.

CURRENT FOCUS

Williams says commercial law and conveyancing law appeal to her, but she is now focusing on litigation and insurance. She stays abreast of current issues that have relevance to her profession, such as abortion, and considers her views liberal. "I am pro-choice and I know that abortion is not something a woman would consider without thought, so women's rights to abortion need to be protected, this is a basic right a woman has to control her body and she should not be forced into motherhood," she said.

And what kind of lawyer does she hope to be? "I want to be a lawyer who has a sound knowledge of the law, is hard working, does the job to the best of my ability and devotes time and talents to the benefit of my country while loving and caring for my family," she said.

In her spare time, Williams focuses on her daughter and teaches at the police staff college, but she is exploring membership in the Rotary club as she also has an interest in the welfare of less fortunate children.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com.