By: Shallon S. Gonlor/ shallonsgonlor@gmail.ccom
NIMBA COUNTY — Veteran human rights lawyers Cllr. Taiwan Gongloe has called on lawyers and law firms to allot times to provide pro bono legal services to their communities.
Cllr. Gongloe said the community needs lawyers and law firms to volunteer to do the work to provide legal education and awareness to people who are aggrieved of the law, including the courtroom procedures.
He said lawyers should always make themselves available to give a huge amount of important free legal advice to the community, noting that service to humanity pays.
The legal expert however encouraged esteemed members of the Nimba Bar Association to join his law firm, Gongloe and Associates in the spirit to give volunteer legal services in demonstration of access to justice from cases of importance before the court to litigation on behalf of individuals who lack the means to hire legal counsel.
According to Cllr. Gongole, the legal profession should firstly be treated with quality service before prioritizing the monetary gain, stressing that through these efforts will improve the quality of life for many in local communities and around the country to reduce increase in violation of the laws.
In the legal field, pro bono refers to the provision of legal services to people who cannot afford.
Cllr. Gongole spoke Monday during the formal opening of the February Term of Court at 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
Meanwhile, four new Attorneys-At-Law have confirmed to support the Constitution of Liberia and the Constitution of the Nimba Bar Association to upholding the integrity of the legal profession.
The Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Nimba County, Pape Suah admitted the four young lawyers, three males and one female to the Nimba County Bar to practice as Attorneys-At-Law.
The four became the newest after a successful pass in the Supreme Court Bar Examination and whose admission was proposed and supported by the leadership and members of the legal association at the level of the Nimba County Bar.
Judge Suah administering the oath on Monday welcomed the newest attorneys at the level of the county bar.
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, the judge took a serious moment to remind the freshly admitted lawyers of the paramount importance of integrity in the legal profession.
Admonishing the lawyers, Judge Suah emphasized that while legal practice often involves financial transactions, they must never prioritize monetary gain over the ethical responsibilities inherent in the profession.
In delivering her response on behalf of her colleagues, Attorney Michari G. Tomah took the opportunity to acknowledged God, family members and other friends who offered their supports and encouragements during their time of study.
The lone female who dux the bar exams, promised that they will uphold the standards of the legal profession and noted that they will continue to practice law with honesty and integrity while being mindful of their duty to give back to their community.
“Today, our admittance is an assurance to our litigant’s brothers and sisters who will have legal issue without adequate finance that we will be a help to you. We also want to recommit and affirm that we will do our best to lift the Nimba Bar higher,” she promised.
Atty. Tomah scored the highest average on the bar exams and graduated as valedictorian of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia.
The event was held Monday during the formal opening of the February Term of Court at 8th Judicial Circuit Court complex in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
The official opening program was attended by government officials, other judges of courts of record and courts not of record, members of the Nimba County Bar Association, and the Liberia National Bar Association.
Others include judicial actors, Nimba County Administration, security personnel, prospective jurors, chiefs, elders, prominent citizens, and students.
The law sets aside the second Monday in February, May, August, and November of each year for the opening ceremony of the various circuit courts across the country.
