A rare convergence of legal titans and the next generation of lawyers was the highlight of an evening where the weight of legal tradition met the vibrant ambition of the succeeding “new breed” of practitioners at the bar, in an atmosphere of focused mentorship over dinner.

The strategic dining programme, held on February 21 at Mary Seacole Hall on the UWI Mona campus, signalled a transformative shift in legal education at the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS). It introduces a “hidden curriculum” designed to guide students beyond academic success toward professional life. During the event, vanguards of the legal profession united with interns in support of the continuing development of a new “prototype” for the Caribbean lawyer: one anchored in service, moral clarity, and professional fortitude.

Guest speaker, Justice Hugh Small, delivered a stirring call to action, framing mentorship as a ‘global positioning system’ (GPS) for navigating a career that can often be a “lonely profession”.

Small challenged the mentees to look beyond their degrees and ask themselves a fundamental question: ‘How will I behave as a lawyer?‘. He noted that while law school teaches legal principles, it does not always teach real-life practice — the unwritten rules, unspoken norms, and soft skills that separate a fulfilled lawyer from one who is merely surviving. Crucially, he redefined the role of the guide, stating: “A good mentor is not going to give you the answers; the mentor will help you find yourself.”

The evening also served as a momentous reunion for members of the bench. Justice David Batts, judge of the Supreme Court of Jamaica, praised the initiative for its practical utility in bridging the gap between academia and the bar.

“The mentorship initiative is a good idea as it assists the transition from student to practitioner, and the dining event is a good complement to that,” Justice Batts noted. Reflecting on the atmosphere, he added, “The event itself was enjoyable, particularly as it allowed me to reconnect with other colleagues and a legendary lecturer, Ms Dorcas White. Congratulations to all who made this event possible, and to the principal and his staff.”

In an interview, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, president of the Jamaican Court of Appeal, expanded on the moral weight of the initiative. She echoed Justice Small’s sentiment regarding the “hidden curriculum”, noting that these internalised values are what make a professional whole.

“It’s not only about being bright; it’s about being a whole professional,” McDonald-Bishop stated. “Your word must carry weight and command respect because it can be relied upon,” she said.

She emphasised that for a practitioner, “reputation is wealth”, and championed structured mentorship as the primary vehicle to ensure no lawyer is an island, but rather part of a unified, professional fraternity.

At the same time, principal Dr Christopher Malcolm noted that while mentorship in the context of dining is neither a “new nor innovative” concept, the school is committed to ensuring it becomes a sustained, permanent fixture of the NMLS experience.

Drawing on his own “Nelson’s Arms” experience with the current Chief Justice of Barbados, he explained that NMLS is intentionally crafting an “ideal graduate” — a rounded practitioner who leverages human intelligence to become more effective in litigation and all other areas of practice.

The significance of the NMLS pilot extended beyond Jamaican shores, drawing praise from prominent Guyanese attorney and anti-corruption advocate Christopher Ram. Visiting from Guyana, Ram described the event as a demonstration of Jamaica’s continued leadership in Caribbean jurisprudence.

“What we saw tonight was Jamaica again establishing leadership among Caribbean countries,” Ram noted. “There are certain standards of decorum and ethical conduct required of a practitioner that no library can teach. While we must demystify aspects of the profession, we must also uphold its traditions.”

The resonance of the “hidden curriculum” was most evident in the reflections of the mentees.

Final-year student Clintoni Laing noted that he was fortunate to sit with his mentor and discuss the principles in Dr Shazeeda Ali’s book, The Ethical Lawyer. He expressed his eagerness to uphold the standards of Canon I, stating: “An attorney shall maintain the honour and dignity of the profession and shall not bring the profession into any disrepute”.

Student Carell Ramsey said that while the prospect was initially nerve-wracking, the attorneys made the students feel welcome. “It was a wonderful experience,” she indicated, noting that the mentors clearly understood the challenges students face, having once stood in their shoes themselves.

Dr Shazeeda Ali, dean of the Faculty of Law, championed the initiative as a critical intervention. She observed that while students often excel academically, many are not yet mentally or emotionally equipped for the high-pressure challenges of active practice.

“Having a mentor to turn to for advice is critical to one’s development as an attorney,” Dr Ali
noted. She affirmed that the programme would serve as a “vital bridge” between the theoretical LLB degree and the rigorous professional reality of the Bar.

By establishing this mentorship framework as a permanent fixture, NMLS is validating a new regional standard for holistic legal training. With a formidable turnout of over 150 attendees—comprising members of the judiciary, senior legal practitioners, and NMLS interns—the evening successfully established a new regional benchmark for comprehensive professional development.

The evening’s menu served as a culinary metaphor for the legal profession itself — a delicate balance of intensity and refinement. As the gathering enjoyed roasted red pepper and smoked paprika soup, the bold flavours mirrored the “heat” of the courtroom; meanwhile, the green mango, cucumber, and citrus salad provided the necessary ethical equilibrium required of a seasoned lawyer.

The main course — a choice of pan-seared snapper fillet with plantain confetti, or scotch Bonnet and mango stuffed chicken — represented the complexity of the Jamaican landscape.

Just as these dishes required a careful fusion of sweet, spice, and structure, the dining room became a laboratory where interns learned that a lawyer’s presence is seasoned not just by what they know, but by how they navigate the “confetti” of real-world challenges with unflinching integrity and grace.

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