A newly minted lawyer told how her dreams of performing on stage furnished her with the skills of empathy that ultimately carried her to the Bermuda Bar.

Isabella Zuill-McKenzie also told Larry Mussenden, the Chief Justice, of her legal expertise gleaned from working not merely with Kyle Masters, a partner at the firm Carey Olsen — but alongside Lilla Zuill, her mother and now fellow lawyer.

The Call to the Bar ceremony this month heard that the only other mother and daughter at present on the Bermuda Bar are Pamela Ferreira and her daughter Kirsten.

Ms Zuill-McKenzie told the court about how she gained valuable experience through being privy to “several interesting cases” by working in the same office as Mr Masters.

She added: “I not only learnt from his legal expertise, but I also have come to value his good-natured, level-headed approach in much of what he does.

“Mr Masters respects and appreciates his junior's opinions, which is a commendable trait for a partner to have and I am appreciative of his guidance which will no doubt continue as I progress in my career.”

Ms Zuill-McKenzie thanked her mother for the “unwavering support, guidance and love she has bestowed upon me today and throughout my life”.

She added: “I would not be the person that I am today without her, and I am eternally grateful to her for all she has sacrificed so that I can stand in front of this court.”

The 27-year-old acknowledged that her journey to the industry had been “anything but conventional”.

She attended Warwick Academy, her mother’s alma mater, and took up theatre as well as singing in the school’s jazz band.

After graduating in 2015, Ms Zuill-McKenzie took a foundation year in musical theatre at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London in 2017.

She said her time on the stage taught her “perseverance, empathy and the ability to put yourself into another person's shoes”.

Although Ms Zuill-McKenzie found leaving the theatre daunting, she discovered a new passion after returning to the island in 2018 and getting work experience in a law firm.

She added: “It dawned on me that an interest in reading and memorising dates would prove to be useful in a career in law, and I made the decision to return to the United Kingdom to study law.

“I obtained my bachelor of laws with first-class honours from London Metropolitan University in 2022, and went on to obtain my postgraduate diploma in legal practice from BPP University in 2023.

“I moved back to Bermuda in November last year and began my pupillage with Carey Olsen.”

Ms Zuill-McKenzie thanked the firm’s partners and her colleagues, commending its “caring and light-hearted culture alongside a commitment to delivering excellent legal solutions to clients”.

She also thanked her “wonderful community of colleagues, family and friends” for supporting her on the way, adding: “I feel that the challenges I have faced have equipped me well for the future ahead”.

Her mother addressed Mr Justice Mussenden, noting that the Bermuda Bar was “a better place for the young people who join its ranks”.

Ms Zuill added: “I have no doubt that Ms Zuill-McKenzie will be a fine addition to our profession.

“I can say that not only as her mother, having watched her learn and grow through the years, but having had her work under me for an extended period during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she was having to study for her LLB remotely and gaining work experience at Zuill & Co at the same time.”

Ms Zuill recalled her daughter’s “right-hand support” during a trial that she conducted by Zoom during the pandemic, which showed her “the life of a litigation lawyer from all its angles”.

She added: “My Lord, I am a very proud mama today — you get a very short window of time to try to instil in your children all the values and good habits that you think they will need to lead a happy, fulfilling and productive life.

“Now I get to stand back and watch the adult that she has become, knowing her to be very able and conscientious and an asset to anyone she works for and the clients she works with.”

Ms Zuill suggested her daughter might even serve the court and its clients by following her into litigation.

She said: “No pressure, Bella but, whatever you choose to do, I know you will make us all proud and be the best role model your little sister Gwynie, who is here with us today, could have.”