An ex-Amanzimtoti High School dux has become the province’s youngest ever advocate at 21-years-old.
Kerina Gopaul, who received seven matric distinctions in 2009, applied to the KZN Bar Council at the end of 2013 to become an advocate and was accepted because of her exemplary results.
She finished cum laude in her Unisa LLB degree with an incredible 35 distinctions out of 40 subjects.
Usually one has to become an attorney first, then apply to become an advocate.
Kerina passed both bar exams in July and August, was admitted as an advocate in the Pietermaritzburg High Court and this year is a fully qualified advocate.
“I always knew I wanted to study law,” she said. “My older sister, Arusha, who matriculated at Amanzimtoti High in 2006, is an attorney in Toti.
I was very excited, but surprised to be accepted as an advocate because of my age.
My mentor was Glen Goddard, who is a senior advocate. It was very benefical having him as my mentor and I learnt a lot about the practical side of being an advocate.”
Adding to Kerina’s joy was the news of her receiving a sponsorship from Lexis Nexis of a laptop with free 3G internet access plus access to Lexis Nexis for a year.
She has now started her own practice in Durban.
“I am specialising in criminal law. Being an advocate is as fascinating as I thought it would be. Every matter is different and I meet so many different people. It makes you think a lot and it builds intellect. Thinking on my feet is the best part for me.
I thank my dad and mum for guiding me towards my choice of studying law. They have always advised me from a young age that I should choose a career where I am not required to depend on someone to earn a living, but to get into a profession which entails a business that enables me to make my own decisions and control my finances. And I have no regrets that law is my chosen profession.”
