A respected champion of transparency in Liberia, Cllr. Jargbe Roseline Nagbe-Kowo has cautioned Liberian professionals who were admitted as new students in the prestigious Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law to be well-prepared, ethical, passionate, uphold the rule of law; for the great life-changing decision by striping their boots and be in readiness for their journey in the law profession.
“Now that you have reached this professional juncture, you all need to be prepared, prioritize continuous capacity building, and get ready to stripe your boots; because my dear Law Students: entrees, the journey you all are about to begin, will be inspiring, frustrating at times, and will also be empowering,” she pointed out.
She also said the Law School is a beautiful potpourri of growth and an important asset. She cited to the audience that there is an inevitable clout that comes along with the law profession, and the new entrants/entrees need to prioritize frequent studies to maintain this clout.
Cllr. Know also paid homage to esteemed professors of the Louis Arthur Grimes Law School who are presently alive and those who have passed; stating that the professors’ tutelage, commitment, and push for further growth in the legal profession are noteworthy.
She outlined four cardinal mandatories based on experience and a learned perspective. “You must have passion, you must nurture this passion, if you have or rather cultivate it; so that when you leave the halls of the Law School, whether you are a full-blown practice or not, you can apply it in other professional duties. You have an obligation to speak and stand by the truth and the rule of Law.”
J. Roseline Kowo, the Ex–Executive Director of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC), pointed out that upholding the rule of law, ethical standards, continuous knowledge building, and discernment, are fundamental tools for achieving legal excellence.
She further stressed that discernment is a key competency for the law profession and“you must adapt a discerning eye. “Discernment has evolved to be a material proficiency and skill in the legal arena. Discernment delineates the adverse, and the positives and helps you to avoid mistakes in matters before you.
Cllr. Kowo also indicated that “ethics cannot be dissociated from integrity standards, so you have a duty to govern yourselves by it always, as you move on this journey. There is a moral code that obligates you as a lawyer to be accountable, instill trust in your clients, and work with integrity in your decisions. Given its importance, there is a whole course to teach you here in the law school,
Cllr. Kowo noted, “As a lawyer, I have learned, you have an obligation to burn the torch for justice.”
Cllr. Jargbe Roseline Nagbe- Kowo closed by stating to the new students: “You have entered a good field that is undeniably an asset.
You have made a good decision. What you do with this great learning opportunity, rests with you. “There are lawyers and then there are great lawyers; it is up to you to pick your path and stand up to the task to be able to attain excellence in this respected legal profession. The foundational stage is where you are now, you must practice honesty, fairness, equity, and integrity in the quest for justice.”
Meanwhile, several professors received honors, namely, Counselors (Cllrs.): F. Juah Lawson, Moses Paegar, Kwame Clement, and Boakai Kanneh. The Honorable Dean of the Law School, Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu also graced the occasion rendering remarks.
