Bermudian Reaia Ball — described as having “a heart for humanity and for community” — has been accepted as a member of the Bermuda Bar.

When Ms Ball, 30, embarked on her journey to become a lawyer as a day release student from the Bermuda Institute, there was one thing clear in her mind — she wanted to help people.

After robust legal training in Bermuda and Britain, it was in October 2020, when she completed a training contract in the north of England for My UK Visa Ltd, that her goal started to become a reality.

She said: “This is the point in my journey where I was finally able to combine my passion for human rights with my career. I specialised in Immigration and Asylum Law, helping people from all over the world to fight for basic rights that many take for granted.

“The joy in my clients’ voices when I would call them to give them the news that they would be allowed to enjoy their family life with their loved ones in the UK was unmatched.

“The sigh of relief and tears of joy some would release when they received the news that they would not be returned to a war-torn country after applying for asylum suddenly made every challenge I previously faced worth it.”

She added: “If there was one thing I learnt whilst completing my training contract, it was to be grateful. Grateful for the basic things in life.”

Ms Ball graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of Buckingham in March 2014 and completed a Masters of Law and Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice from the University of Law in 2018.

She went on to complete her training contract with My UK Visa Ltd in October 2020 before being admitted as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in the same month.

Ms Ball stood proudly alongside Maria Sofianos, who in 2009 took her under her wing at the Department of Public Prosecutions, to receive the well-earned honour.

Ms Sofianos said that even back then she recognised Ms Ball’s “compassion for those who have had challenges in their lives” which she said had been coloured by her own challenges.

Ms Sofianos said: “Reaia recognised that her mindset was different and that her role in life was not to fit in but to make a difference.

“As she began to mature, she embraced her difference and was okay with standing alone with her principles and core values. As a result of her early experiences, she became an advocate against injustices.

“Reaia has a heart for humanity and for community. She is a compassionate and visionary leader.

“Although Reaia is a daughter of Bermuda’s soil, she is a citizen of the world. When the rest of the world is looking for a gem, her family has found a gem in Reaia.”

Ms Ball is now employed at the Registry General Department, where she had been a summer student in 2011.

Aubrey Pennyman, the Registrar-General, also contributed some words about Ms Ball which Ms Sofianos read out at the ceremony.

Mr Pennyman said of Ms Ball, who joined the department as its legal and compliance officer last May: “The post is demanding with a wide range of responsibilities, ie, ensuring compliance with all legislation administration by the department, management of the charity section, training to staff in respect of legal administration processes, and conducting annual audits for the processes of each section within the department to list a few.

“Though Ms Ball had to hit the ground running and had to quickly come up to speed with the many initiatives of the department which required her assistance (specifically the department’s duties and functions required by Financial Action Taskforce and National Anti-Money Laundering Committee), she has proven herself to be an efficient, hard worker and valuable addition to the Registry General Department.”