A Bermudian woman who made a career switch after more than a decade as a teacher urged all Bermudians to pursue their dreams last week as she was called to the Island's Bar.

Although she had happily taught French at two local secondary schools for seven and four years respectively, Ms Diana Lorraine Smith said that becoming a lawyer was an ever-present ambition of hers as she toiled through the education system.

Eventually, the budding legal draftswoman added, the lure of the law was too much to resist.

"Four years ago,'' Ms Smith said just before Puisne Judge Mr. Justice Meerabux welcomed her into the legal profession in front of a crowded courtroom of family members, fellow lawyers and numerous other well-wishers, "I decided to leave teaching to pursue a dream of mine.

"At the time, some commented that I was taking an uncalculated risk. Others said that there were already too many lawyers in Bermuda and there would be no place for me. As you can see, I proved them wrong, my Lord.'' Noting, in fluent French, that her guiding principle was " vouloir c'est pouvoir '' -- or, "where there's a will there's a way'' -- Ms Smith, the daughter of Mr. Edwin Smith and the late Mrs. Eva Lorraine Smith, then thanked her mentors and colleagues in the Parliamentary Counsel office, where she said the "most memorable experience'' of her recently completed tutelage "was assisting in the drafting of the legislation that made (this summer's) Independence referendum possible''.

Ms Smith, who plans to carry on in the reputedly "thankless'' jurisdiction of legal draftsmanship, is a graduate of both the West End Primary School and Warwick Academy.

After completing her secondary studies, Ms Smith attended Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bachelor of Education that specialised in the teaching of French.

Having subsequently taught the subject at both Sandys Secondary School and her alma mater Warwick, Ms Smith then left for England to study law at the City University of London.

She was called to the Bar there earlier this year.

Last week, Ms Smith was embraced at her induction as a welcome additional female lawyer in Bermuda, receiving a glowing tribute in the process from colleagues that included Crown Counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun and Solicitor General Mr. Barrie Meade.

Called on for some impromptu remarks on her behalf, lawyer Mr. Richard Hector said that he had seen Ms Smith show demonstrable skill as a litigator and "wouldn't be surprised'' if the "lure of litigation'' also won her over.

Her new boss, Chief Parliamentary Counsel Mr. George Griffith, added that Ms Smith would make a "disciplined'' and "creditable'' addition to his office.

LEGAL EAGLE -- Teacher cum lawyer Ms Diana Lorraine Smith urged Bermudians to follow their dreams last week as she was called to the Island's Bar.