On the 15 July 2010, the Supreme Court of Jamaica welcomed Randolph E.J Cheeks Jr, Solicitor of England and Wales, to the ranks of the Jamaican Bar.

Before inviting Cheeks to take the oath of office, the Court commended him on the standard of the legal application prepared and submitted by him in support of his request for admission to practise in this jurisdiction. The Court’s endorsement is reflective of the general standards of excellence which have and continue to characterise this young man’s academic and professional development. Having distinguished himself internationally Cheeks has now returned home firmly intent upon contributing to his country’s development. He brings with him a unique combination of commercial/legal education and international professional experience. An outstanding academic achiever, Cheeks graduated from Wolmer’s Preparatory School with a government scholarship for outstanding academic achievement.

He attended Campion College until third form. After completing his secondary schooling in Canada, he graduated from Ridley College in Ontario with a Canadian Government Scholarship. He then undertook his tertiary education in the United Kingdom, obtaining a law degree from the University of Sheffield and a degree in Economics, Finance and Business Management from the University of London. As a pre- requisite to admission to practise in England & Wales, he obtained a qualifying Certificate of Legal Practice awarded with distinction from the University of Westminster in central London. Cheeks’ professional career commenced with his recruitment to a highly regarded global technology company, Thoughtworks Inc., headquartered in Chicago. He served the company for over a year consulting as an international Business Analyst. During this time he worked collaboratively with the management of various blue chip clients and was deployed to various client sites around the world including India, Europe, and the USA.

His legal practice was developed over two years with the affiliated offices of a leading Jamaican firm in London, England. He focuses primarily on the representation of corporate and individual clients in transactional matters spanning a range of commercial sectors. He also has a solid litigation background which includes junior involvement in a number of high profile Privy Council appeals from across the region. He has a particular interest in the law as it relates to Technology, Intellectual Property, Sports & Entertainment and Defamation. He currently sits on the distinguished Board of the Commonwealth Boxing Council as Jamaica’s representative.

Cheeks’ services are offered by the boutique law firm Gordon|McGrath where he currently leads the firm’s corporate/commercial department.

Asked by Caribbean Business Report why he has chosen to return to Jamaica at this time, he responds: “If we are to elevate this island of which we are so proud to its rightful position on the international stage, each and every one of us has an important part to play in that effort. I have returned simply to do my part.”