Proud dad calls son to the Bar - Jovaine Brown follows in father’s footsteps to legal profession

Michael Brown, a seasoned attorney-at-law with decades of experience, stood beaming with pride as he prepared to call his son, Jovaine Brown, to the Bar. This wasn't just a professional milestone for the Browns, it was a celebration of a shared dream and a family legacy.

Michael, who has been practising law in Jamaica since 1993, described the moment as "the experience of a lifetime", making it all the more fitting that he would welcome his son into the esteemed legal fraternity.

For Jovaine, the moment was nothing short of magical. Inspired by his father's career and lifelong mentorship, he had long envisioned this day.

"Without him, I wouldn't have been on this journey in the first place," Jovaine shared, emphasising the significance of the moment. "He's the person who inspired me," Jovaine said, calling the moment a "joyous occasion".

The call to the Bar is the formal process by which a person becomes qualified to practise as an attorney-at-law. It signifies that the individual has completed the necessary legal education, training, and exams, and has been admitted to the legal profession.

Jovaine's path to this achievement began at The University of the West Indies in 2018 and culminated with his graduation from the Norman Manley Law School in 2021. But his journey wasn't without its hurdles. Balancing academics, work, and extracurricular activities was an uphill battle.

"The hardest part was balancing my time," Jovaine recalled. "I was involved in the university space, from serving as a VM ambassador to working odd jobs around campus. I also did work and travel during the summers, and offered entrepreneurial services like selling phones and printing shirts for events like carnival,"

Financial hurdles also shaped Jovaine's experience. "It's really expensive," he admitted. "Paying for hall fees, tuition, and other expenses was a challenge for me and many of my peers. But through it all, I learnt how to manage my time, articulate myself better, and develop strong research and writing skills."

Jovaine credits his family for their unwavering support, particularly his mother, Lesa Henry-Brown, whom he described as a lifesaver, throughout his journey.

"My mother has been there every step of the way," he said. "She is the one who kept me grounded and helped me to mentally push through the toughest moments."

The call to the Bar was not just a personal victory, but a collective celebration for the entire Brown family. Relatives tuned in to the Zoom platform from near and far to witness the milestone.

"His sisters, his mother, even his grandmother--they've all been waiting for this," Michael said with a smile. "It's like a holiday for them today."

Now 26, Jovaine looks forward to continuing his journey in law, working alongside his father at the family firm, Michael B.T. Erskine & Company.

"I intend to continue working in the firm for the foreseeable future," he said. "It's a very well-established practice, and I want to contribute as much as I can to its growth."

For Michael, the moment is not just a proud milestone, but also a vision for the future.

"When I cannot practise any longer, I hope Jovaine will take over the practice," he shared, expressing the hope that his son will expand and enhance the firm, while continuing the family's legacy.