Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Local A. Hermia Tench-Donovan becomes first female Maritime Barrister in VI

Local A. Hermia Tench-Donovan becomes first female Maritime Barrister in VI

Virgin Islander Mrs Allison Hermia Tench- Donovan, at attorney at O'Neal Webster, was called to practice as a Barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in the Virgin Islands on March 1, 2022, becoming one of the newest members of the local bar and the first female Barrister focusing on Maritime Law.

In recognition, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) on Saturday, March 5, 2022, saluted Tench-Donovan for her new achievement and revealed that she has always had a passion for maritime, which he said resulted in her pursuit to make a valuable contribution to the local industry.

Relatives related to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) that entry to the bar was put forward before the Honourable Madam Justice Vickie Ann Ellis by Attorney at Law Mrs Asha Johnson Willins with the support of Senior Partner Vanessa King.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) on Saturday, March 5, 2022, saluted Ms A. Hermia Tench-Donovan for her new achievement and revealed that she has always had a passion for maritime.


Admitted at Bar of England & Wales in 2022


Tench-Donovan was first admitted at the Bar of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn on October 4, 2021. She holds a Master's degree in International Maritime Law from the University of the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) from Malta in 2019.

Mrs Tench-Donovan created her path by being the first female Barrister to concentrate in Maritime Law, residing in the Virgin Islands to accomplish this goal. She is also the first Virgin Islander to attend IMLI.

IMO (International Maritime Organisation) focuses solely on Maritime International affairs and Mrs Tench-Donovan also attained a Bachelor's Degree in Law (Hons) from the University of Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 2017 and a Diploma in Law from Holborn College in London in 2009.

She completed her professional Bar Vocational Studies with The City of Law in London in 2021.

Tench-Donovan said the course to study Maritime Law was enriching not just from gaining knowledge, but the relationships that was built with colleagues that share common goals and values.

“Learning to accept people of various cultures taught me to always be open to people before judging them and to always remain humble and grateful.”

On being called to the bar she said, “Being called… was momentous, a journey that required so much conviction from me. The feeling of satisfaction was so overwhelming; I wouldn’t have achieved this goal without a strong support team.”

Mrs Tench-Donovan added that her immediate family stood by her side and encouraged her through every step to make the journey one that was more than just studying and becoming a qualified barrister.”

Thankful to God!


The Virgin Islander said he remains thankful to God for her journey because it would not have been possible without Him and further stated that she is grateful for an incredible supporting cast made up of her husband, mother, stepfather, sister, extended family, close friends, and the First District Representative.

“Their support individually, collectively, and constant encouragement helped me,” she added.

The new Barrister added that with God's help, she intends to remain humble to serve in the Virgin Islands and beyond with honour and dignity to help where she can help to build a civil society where the rule of law is paramount to the beautiful Virgin Islands.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
×