Two apprentice lawyers have been announced as the 2022-23 Ministry of Legal Affairs Pupils.

Ashley Fubler and Tjana Wharton will work alongside government lawyers and senior officials to build skills and experience within the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Legal Aid office.

Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, said the Government was committed to training future Bermudian barristers through “a comprehensive and rigorous professional pathway to being admitted to the Bermuda Bar".

She said the ministry's pupillage programme lay “dormant for several years” but had seen at least eight barristers complete the course since 2019.

“Many former pupils have secured employment with private law firms or in the public sector after their one-year training and being admitted to the Bermuda Bar.”

Each pupil gets a say in their placements. based on their interests and career paths.

Ms Fubler attended the Berkeley Institute and obtained her post-secondary degrees from Hull University in England, followed by the University of Law Bar Professional Training Course in London.

"Entering the legal profession as a barrister has been a career aspiration of mine for as long as I can remember,“ Ms Fubler said.

“The journey to get where I am today has not been easy. I have faced my fair share of setbacks along the way — especially amid all the uncertainty and restrictions during the pandemic.

"Despite this, I am forever grateful to have been Called to the Bar in England and Wales, and subsequently selected to complete pupillage with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform.

“It is not easy to secure a pupillage, particularly if you want to work in the public sector; I commend all who have made this opportunity a reality.”

Ms Fubler said her desire to work in the public sector came from “my strong patriotism and desire to invoke fundamental change — especially within our criminal justice system”.

Before her pupillage, she was placed at the Legal Aid Office by the Department of Workforce Development.

“Working at Legal Aid deepened my passion to give back to my community through the public sector,” she said.

“As I embark on this next chapter of my legal journey, I look forward to completing pupillage and becoming a member of the Bermuda Bar."

Ms Wharton, who attended Saltus Grammar School, obtained her post-secondary degrees from the University of Kent in England and her Master’s in Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of Law.

She said the pupillage programme offered “an exciting challenge and important professional development opportunity”.

“I feel privileged to have been selected and to be granted training, support and guidance across a broad spectrum of legal practice areas,” Ms Wharton added.

“This valuable experience will allow me to advance my career and to develop and demonstrate a high standard of legal competence.

“In keeping with my interest in volunteering and community engagement activities, I did pro bono work with the Personal Support Unit at the Royal Courts of Justice and Central Family Court in London and helped raise funds for the London Legal Walk whilst studying at the University of Law.

“I am fortunate to now be training under the supervision of a brilliant and supportive legal team.”