A proud Rodain Richardson poses outside the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston.
Young lawyer Rodain Richardson dedicates achievements to mom, grandma
WINSTON Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
This was the kind of inspirational quote that led Rodain Richardson to the awareness that living in a crowded eastern Kingston neighbourhood, surrounded by aged buildings and not-so-friendly neighbours, meant that his future was of paramount importance if he was to have any chance of becoming more than just another statistic.
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Growing up, Richardson had already determined that the community would not become his domicile forever, especially as his parents and grandmother, who were all taking care of the family, recognised from an early stage that they were raising a talented young man with the tenacity to exceed.
At each passing new year his wish was to not be afraid to push above the proverbial plateau in order to take his lofty ambitions to a higher level.
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Rodain Richardson (right) gets a welcoming handshake from attorney-at-law Peter Champagnie.
The result was that after years in high school aiming to become a doctor, in sixth form he switched his sights to becoming a lawyer, a dream that became reality on Tuesday, December 12 when he joined 83 other attorneys-at-law in taking their oath at the Supreme Court in Kingston following the completion of their respective Certificate of Legal Education (CLE).
Students who wish to practice law in Jamaica must first complete a first degree (bachelor’s degree) in law from a university, then they must complete further training to receive the CLE from a law school in Jamaica or one of the nearby islands.
But his story is not without pain and tribulations.
Within this year Richardson’s mother, Velceta Roberts, while visiting the island, also suffered a setback that threatened to derail his law exam preparations. Richardson had to tend to her care for several weeks during this time after she suffered injuries following a violent gun attack in the vicinity of a Washington Boulevard shopping centre in St Andrew.
“She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. It felt like my whole world came crashing down with a single telephone call. I was devastated but I knew that she was depending on me to act quickly,” he explained.
His mother, who survived the gun attack, said: “I am very proud of my son, considering where he is coming from and what he has been through this year. He is persistent — yes, that’s how I think of him — and he just keeps going until he reaches his goal. He just doesn’t give up.”
His father Radcliffe Richardson added: “From childhood coming up we saw the greatness in him, and I made sure I provided the tools that he could achieve this greatness. I did all kinds of jobs — chopping bush and washing cars, after moving to Manchester — to ensure that he had whatever he needed to be successful.”
He, however, lost a grandmother, Mavis Richardson, at age 85, who had fought hard to stay alive and watch him take the oath. She died in November.
“She always wanted me to become a lawyer; and as far as I am concerned she thought there couldn’t be anything else more important as she was looking forward to my becoming an attorney — her attorney. She was looking forward to seeing me called to the Bar. I vividly recall taking my first set of law school examinations, and how she would wake every morning at 5 am to ensure that I had a healthy breakfast. She prayed for me to become an attorney. It was a painful experience for me [grandmother’s death] — the feeling lingers even today. Notwithstanding that, I must say that my accomplishments were largely due to her love and support,” he confessed.
“There is much to be grateful for. Whilst taking my oath my mind was fixed on the cherished memories of my grandmother, and her looking at me proudly. If I should put it squarely, this achievement is dedicated to her and all the people who have impacted me over the years. My growth has been influenced by a very supportive village — and for that I am appreciative,” the young lawyer admitted.
Richardson also paid tribute to Peter Champagnie KC, whom he described as arguably the leading high court lawyer in the country and his legal mentor. He is hoping to also share offices with Champagnie, explaining that from as far back as 2019 he wanted to work in his chambers, and even interviewed for an internship that same year.
Even though he was not successful on this first try, years later in 2023 his second attempt resulted in his prospective membership in the KC’s chambers. Richardson is ever grateful for the opportunity, fully embracing the esteemed legal expertise and resolving to make a positive contribution to the chambers.
“I am very humbled and appreciative of King’s Council Peter Champagnie, [his] accepting my request to call me to the Bar. I have always wanted to be under his tutelage and so I am grateful for his decision to call me to the Bar,” he said about the King’s Counsel.
Richardson maintained that he is eager to learn and grow as an attorney-at-law and encouraged the future generation to believe in their abilities versus their environmental realities.
“I know that there are many young men and women who believe that they are no better than their current financial and socio-economic realities, however I never had much whilst growing up — and I still do not have much now — but I believed in myself, maintained respect for those who I interfaced with, and worked effortlessly at preparing myself to respond to opportunities which presented themselves from time to time. So never limit yourself, and never give up on your dreams, but you can achieve whatever your mind conceives,” shared Richardson.
