Bermudian lawyer Jonathan White’s Call to the Bar ceremony perpetuated a family legacy going back to his ancestor Anthony White, who served as the island’s chief justice from 1706 to 1708.

The new attorney also had the distinction of being welcomed to the island’s legal fraternity by his father, Kim White, a partner at the firm Cox Hallett Wilkinson.

Addressing the courtroom last month before Chief Justice Ian Kawaley, Mr White thanked his family for their support, along with the firm Marshall Diel & Myers, where he completed 12 months of pupillage.

“I had quite a lot of responsibility as a pupil, so my transition to being a qualified attorney in Marshall Diel & Myers Limited’s litigation team has been an easy one,” Mr White told The Royal Gazette.

“I have, however, thoroughly enjoyed my first three weeks at the Bermuda Bar and the greater autonomy that comes with being a fully-fledged attorney.

“Since my call, I have been tasked with carrying out an array of legal work including writing opinions, drafting court applications and negotiating personal injury claims.

“I’ve also been fortunate enough to conduct my own advocacy before the Supreme Court and appear as assisting junior counsel to Michael Beloff QC in the Court of Appeal. I look forward to continuing to develop my practice in both civil and criminal law as a member of MDM.

“I would like to thank my colleagues at the firm for their continued support and guidance.”

At the packed ceremony, the court heard that Mr White came with “exemplary” credentials, having obtained first class honours in his law degree from the University of Buckingham before completing his training with a distinction in the postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice from BPP University.

Mr White closed his remarks by telling Mr Justice Kawaley that he hoped to become an asset to the Bermuda Bar and appear in the island’s courts for many years to come.

Timothy Marshall, MDM’s founder and former managing director, commended Mr White’s work ethic and his commitment to contributing to the community — an endorsement shared by Katie Tornari, a director and one of Mr White’s pupillage supervisors, who noted Mr White’s attention to “every aspect of being a lawyer”.

Ms Tornari told the court he was often first into the office and “invariably” the last to leave.

Adam Richards, MDM’s managing director, said the firm had “no doubt that he has a first-class career as a lawyer in Bermuda ahead of him”.