KINGSTON, JAMAICA — In a landmark initiative reshaping Caribbean legal education, the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) has launched a transformative mentorship program designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice. The event, held on February 21, 2026, at the University of the West Indies’ Mary Seacole Hall, brought together over 150 distinguished jurists, senior attorneys, and law interns for an evening of strategic dialogue and professional guidance.
This pioneering ‘dining and mentorship programme’ introduces what educators term a ‘hidden curriculum’—focusing on the unwritten rules, ethical frameworks, and soft skills essential for success in legal practice. Justice Hugh Small, the guest speaker, framed mentorship as a professional ‘Global Positioning System’ (GPS) for navigating what he described as the often ‘lonely profession’ of law. He challenged aspiring lawyers to move beyond technical competence and confront the fundamental question: ‘How will I behave as a lawyer?’
The initiative received robust endorsement from Jamaica’s judicial leadership. Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, President of the Court of Appeal, emphasized that ‘reputation is wealth’ in the legal field, advocating for structured mentorship to develop ‘whole professionals’ whose words ‘carry weight and command respect.’ Supreme Court Justice David Batts praised the program’s practical utility in smoothing the transition from student to practitioner.
The program’s significance extends beyond Jamaica’s borders. Prominent Guyanese attorney Christopher Ram hailed the event as evidence of Jamaica’s continued leadership in Caribbean jurisprudence, noting that ‘certain standards of decorum and ethical conduct required of a practitioner cannot be taught in any library.’
For the students, the evening provided invaluable exposure to professional norms. Final-year student Clintoni Laing engaged in discussions about ethical principles from Dr. Shazeeda Ali’s book ‘The Ethical Lawyer,’ while student Carell Ramsey described the experience as initially nerve-wracking but ultimately welcoming and insightful.
Dr. Christopher Malcolm, Principal of NMLS, confirmed the school’s commitment to institutionalizing this mentorship model to produce the ‘ideal graduate’—a practitioner equipped with both human intelligence and professional fortitude. Supported by strategic partners Tastee Limited and TWP, the program establishes a new regional benchmark for holistic legal training that combines academic excellence with moral courage and ethical grounding.