By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Two of Guyana’s newest attorneys, Shemar Parkinson and Jayaram Sanasie, have officially joined the legal fraternity with a shared vision — to serve humanity through justice, humility, and compassion. Both young men were admitted to the local bar this month before the High Court in Georgetown, each sharing a story of perseverance and purpose.
Shemar Parkinson — A Journey of Discipline, Advocacy, and Determination
On Friday, October 24, 2025, Shemar Parkinson was admitted to the Bar before Justice Joy Persaud-Singh at the High Court in Georgetown.
The 25-year-old, the fourth child of Mr. Glendon Parkinson and Ms. Natasha Otto, has been described as a naturally inquisitive and determined scholar from an early age. His academic journey began when, despite being too young for school, his eagerness to learn convinced his siblings’ teacher to let him attend classes — setting the tone for a life of discipline and curiosity.
A former student of St. Gabriel’s Nursery, Green Acres Primary, and Central High School, Parkinson credited much of his early inspiration to Sir Clairmont Cox (deceased), who encouraged him to join the debating team, where his passion for advocacy was born.
When faced with academic setbacks, Parkinson enrolled at Morgan’s Learning Centre, balancing full-time work at his father’s engineering company with evening studies. His perseverance paid off — he sat nine CXC subjects and topped Principles of Business, proving his ability to overcome adversity.
After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at the University of Guyana with a GPA of 3.5, Parkinson transitioned into the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme, graduating in 2023. He later pursued his legal education at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, where he earned multiple awards, including:
- Principal’s Award for Advocacy
- Robert Mathieu Sellier Memorial Prize for Best Performance in Trial Advocacy
- Grade “A” in Criminal Practice and Procedure
Parkinson was also part of the Specialist Criminal Law Clinic in Port of Spain under Mr. Israel Khan, S.C.. It was the sole Guyanese member of the winning team at the Margaret Forte Regional Criminal Law Moot in The Bahamas.
Beyond law, Parkinson is a former national kumite champion, a youth parliamentarian, and a community advocate, balancing excellence with service. Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva presented his petition.
Reflecting on his path, Parkinson said his guiding principle remains rooted in “precision, purpose, and perseverance — to serve others before self.”
Jayaram Sanasie — Grounded in Faith, Guided by Gratitude
Attorney-at-Law Jayaram Sanasie, 24, was admitted to the Bar on Monday, October 13, 2025, before the High Court, with his petition presented by Mr. Sase Gunraj.
A graduate of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Sanasie pursued his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Guyana, completing his studies amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled how the isolation of online learning forced him to embrace the motto, “Improvise, adapt, and overcome.”
Upon entering the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, Sanasie found mentorship and support from Mr. Sase Gunraj, Ms. Rea Harris, and Dr. Quincy Jones, whom he described as a brotherly figure. He credited their guidance with helping him navigate both academic rigors and life abroad.
Sanasie also expressed gratitude to colleagues such as Attorney-at-Law Jensen Samaroo, noting his advice to “grow, evolve, but never forget your roots.” That, he said, will remain his guiding philosophy as he advances in the legal profession — to balance ambition with humility.
A New Generation of Advocates
Both Parkinson and Sanasie embody a new generation of legal practitioners — one driven by faith, discipline, and a genuine desire to represent the underrepresented. Their journeys remind young Guyanese that success is not defined by ease but by effort.
As Parkinson aptly summarized, quoting Buju Banton’s timeless lyric, “It’s not an easy road.” Yet, for these two young men, it is one worth traveling in service to humanity, and not self.
