A legal trainee who helped draft legislation for emergency Covid-19 payments under a Ministry of Legal Affairs pupillage was welcomed into the fold as a new lawyer at a ceremony on Friday.

Lorendae Symonds told Puisne Judge Larry Mussenden she was “honoured” to stand before him as a new member of the Bermuda Bar.

Lorraine Welch, deputy chief parliamentary counsel, told the court Ms Symonds had earned a bachelor of law degree with honours at City University of London in 2018 and passed the legal practice course at London Bloomsbury in 2020.

She finished her postgraduate legal studies working full-time this year in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Her work experience with the Department of Public Prosecutions included Legal Aid – and conducting a summary trial for a speeding offence in which she secured a guilty verdict.

Ms Welch said that the Saltus 2013 graduate had trained with her in legislative drafting and brought an impressive focus on legal research to the task.

She noted Ms Symonds’ sports background in high school and told the court athletes faced “clutch moments” under pressure.

She added: “I feel confident we may see more clutch moments from Lorendae in her legal career.”

As parents Lorenzo Symonds and Dawn Smith looked on, Ms Symonds told the court: “My journey to this point certainly has not been easy.

“Nothing worth having comes easily.”

She gave special thanks to Crown counsel Alan Richards, Legal Aid counsel Elizabeth Christopher and Crown counsel Brian Myrie.

Mr Justice Mussenden said: “Congratulations to you for your hard work and determination.

“As you said, it does not come easily – you have to put the hours in, and clearly you have done so.”

He thanked her family for producing “a first-class citizen of Bermuda”.

“If you are staying in government service, and I hope you are – throw yourself into the hard stuff,” he said.